Nerve Pain, please help!

[Pr42022]

I have persistent, severe nerve pain.  It's left-side burning, electric-like pain, mostly from shoulder down left arm, but can be on face, head, hip, leg.  Also deep stabbing pain around left shoulder blade and under left ribs.  Sometimes it's a 10+.  Ranges from 4 to 10.

Dx with RRMS in '97, very active 10+ years after, but on disability since 2008.  Take Rebif, on brk from Tysabri.  Have taken Lyrica + Tramadol to prevent pain since late 2008, it helped, but now the pain burns through even the max. dose.

I have an appointment with my neuro next week.  What new medication or treatments should I talk to him about to stop the pain?

[Erin0313]

Sorry that you are suffering such terrible nerve pain! The only thing that helps when mine gets bad is high dose Neurontin (gammapentin).

To ask a doctor go to the forums page and click on the right side under ask a doctor and you can post there.

Good luck - I hope that they help you find relief!
Erin :)

[Pr42022]

Thank you for your replies and good information.  I can see that this group is supportive and knowledgeable.

I meant to post the question in a place where a doctor would answer it, but I don't see a response from a doctor.  Can someone tell me how to post a ? to a doctor?

Thank you

[tjj3761]

Sorry to hear about your pain.  It is terrible when you flare-up with this kind of pain.  I hope you can get it under control.  My neuro did tell me that Lyrica is great and 6 times stronger than Neurontin.

I have been on Neurontin for about 6 years now.  For myself of late, I have had what I think to be occipital neuralgia flares, which is also very painful.  It seems like there is a small component of the TN pain, but it is different of late.

Like Steph74 had stated, I wish that I could get my neuro onboard for steroid infusions.  This pain we all have like this is difficult to say the least.

Feel better!

terri

[RedFlame]

I'm sorry to hear that you are so much pain.  I know how difficult it is to do anything when you are in so much pain.

I take the Gaba, Flexeril, Tramadol and anything I can get OTC.  I don't take any narcotics at this point.

I hope you get some help from your docs.

Red

[Csativa]

Hi,

What has helped me with nerve pain are Gabapentin and Cymbalta.  When I first started with the meds, I had some succesws with Gabapentin and Elavil.  I also take oxycodone.  I'm sure there are others that your Dr. can try.  Good luck.

Frank

[steph74]

steroid infusions have helped me with TN and occipital neuralgia.  I take lyrica (300 mg) and gabapentin (900 mg) both, with percocet for breakthrough pain.  I'm also exploring acupuncture as a treatment, though this is very new.

My biggest problem with the anti-seizure drugs is that I feel like my body acclimates to them pretty quickly, so I'm constantly upping the dosage.  

Sorry to hear about your pain.  I know how you feel.

Stephanie

[Wobbly]

sorry to hear your in so much pain, I don't know that much about medications and hope the Neuro can give you some that will help.  

maybe other can join in and give you some advise.

take care
wobbly