Might be a silly question but I am confused...big surprise there eh?

[Rena705]

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable Saturday on the eve of Easter Sunday and all the bunny fun!  I have to make 36 cupcakes for a dinner for tomorrow and I don't bake so this should be interesting to say the least!  tee hee

Anyway, I am wondering...is Neuropathic pain the same as Nerve pain?

The reason why I ask is that I have the HOT, feel like I am being BRANDED pain in both feet in spots and in my legs occasionally.

I also have a horrible pain in my left knee and but it is brought on by hitting that knee just a little too hard or kneeling down with jeans on (which I avoid like the plaque because the pain is excrutiating).  This pain feels exactly like a rug burn and it goes on and on and on!  

Seems to me that Neuropathic pain is the pain that is caused because of the exposed wires in my brain where as nerve pain would be caused by damage to the nerves in a specific spot on your body.  All I know is that there is no control over either one other than not kneeling on that knee.

If someone knows the answer to this I would really appreciate an explanation.  These spots are seeming to increase all the time and my neuro suggested trying Accupuncture.  I called a few places about seeing someone to have accupuncture done but every place I talked to said that they don't have much luck and it would be a waste of my money.  So that leaves me with no options I guess because the doc said there is nothing he can do to help this pain.  If this pain continues to spread I don't know what I will do...it is a horrible pain that's for sure!  

Any input on this subject would be much appreciated...I need to know if anyone has any other suggestions.
Thanks friends and have a great day!

Hugs,
Rena

[Rena705]

Thank you for all your kind and informative responses.  I haven't been to a pain clinic yet but I till definitely mention it to my neuro next time I see or talk to him.  All he mentioned was accupuncture and I had zero results with that because all the accupuncturists I spoke to said that they have had no good results so far with accupuncture.  

I am thinking that we will have to adjust the gabapentin because I am having definite trouble with break through pain which is not too good.

Thank you for all the information and I will take it all into consideration for sure.  Your reponses are very much appreciated!

Hugs,
Rena

[rendean]

Dear Rena,

There IS hope AND solutions to your pain in the medical world!! I have neuropathic pain and have had CRPS as well. Pain management was a Godsend !!!

Most meds are/were non-narcotic and are small doses of anti-seizures meds. After adjusting to the proper level for you, you will have your life back. I promise. But, as Mary said , there are the good the bad and the ugly. My doc is connected to my MS Center so he was very familiar with my type of pain.

I can't say everyday is a picnic but compared to before pain doc, it's a walk in the park I can handle. If you have more questions, let me know.

Ren

[twopack]

I'm sorry that your pain is so out of control Rena.  It is very difficult to know what to say when you share this struggle but I'm glad you have decided not to try and keep it to yourself.  We may not know what to say or do but we truly care and hear what you are saying.  

Hopefully, knowing we are here helps ease some of the stress of going it alone.  I do know that decreasing stress and active relaxation help decrease pain from all causes.  It's just VERY DIFFICULT to actually de-stress OR relax when pain hits.  I just read your story about keeping arse in the 'frig in a different thread.  Your healthy sense of humor and the support of your wonderful husband are huge positives.  They surely help you get through both good and bad days.

So, down to business.  Some of your descriptions sound more like CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) or even what is called Central Pain.  Yeah.... as if neuropathic pain isn't bad enough!

Have you ever had a consult with a pain specialist?  Your doctor may be correct that options are limited but sometimes pain management specialists are able to offer options that other docs cannot - including pumping pain medications directly into the CSF.  

Like all specialists 'painologists' come in good, bad and ugly varieties.  There's probably even a hot one to be found here and there.  The point?  Try to get a combo of good and hot.  If you have to settle for one attribute, go for Great and don't give up until you find it.

I found the following sites with good information about pain.

For a description of NEUROPATHIC PAIN go to
http://www.allaboutpain.com.my/article.php?aid=29
And then navigate from that page to learn about other types of pain as well.

For the best info I've ever seen about CENTRAL PAIN go to
http://www.painonline.org/intro.htm
From there you can use the side menu to get to a section on "info for patients".  I think you will find it most interesting even if you wish it didn't sound so familiar.

For a moving description of pain written by a spinal cord injured physician (Kenneth McHenry) who understands because he lives it, see
http://newmobility.com/articleViewIE.cfm?id=85
Make sure you read his retelling of a story about Pope John Paul II.  The level of understanding he describes brings tears to my eyes each time I read it.

Finally, I urge you not to give up hope.  There is another member of this forum who was ready to give up all hope she could ever return to a quality life with manageable pain levels.  Things changed for her when she found out central sleep apnea was contributing to her pain syndrome.  After being placed on assisted Bi-Pap she found out it was possible to feel better AND take fewer drugs to get there.

I pray your answer is out there Rena - close by and sustainable.

Mary

[Sailorsong]

I think technically both nerve pain and Neuropathic pain are the same thing in that it is a miscommunication with your brain. My main pain in this realm is that my thighs feel like they are sunburned when ever anything touches them.  

I believe many on here take fairly large doses of Gabapentin  to help with this type of pain. In my case anything over 200mg of it in a day messes me up too much so I get no relief in this area.

Dennis