Alternate Medicine Cocktail

I have had a chronic progressive pn, ideopathic, for 10 years.  It affects many parts of my body, both sides, paraesthetic pains and autonomic.  After 23 IVig treatments my body which had responded very well began to resist and the infusions were stopped.  After two years in wheelchair a doctor started me on a 'cocktail' of cymbalta, neurontin, and clonazepam.  This has been helpful but does not cover pain, although with leg braces and cane I now can walk short distances.

I am curious of how this recipe of medicines is viewed, and if there are suggestion for others.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) has been approved for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It is hypothesized that it will help in idiopathic peripheral neuropathy as well. Gabapentin is especially used for treating the pain component of the peripheral neuropathy. Clonazepam is an anxiolytic. It reduces the anxiety, induces some sedation and thus, helps indirectly reduce the pain.

There are a few studies on the combination of these drugs. The results are generally favorable. There may be a need to adjust the dose of Gabapentin for pain reduction.

You are fighting the neuropathy very well.

Regards