NERVE PAIN AND RELIEF

[Loyce!]

Husband Jack had a IV GBM removed three years ago and now after radiation ahd three years of chemo, the fall-out is nerve pain consisting of shooting pains and burning pain in the feet, also some numbing off/on.  My question:  What meds or treatments can provide relief and possibly repair the damage.  Jack is 64 and is in overall good health.  Thanks for your feedback.  Loyce!

[LOVEMUFFIN]

I SUSTAINED A VERY TRAUMATIC FALL WHICH RESULTED IN NUMEROUS NEUROPATHY PROBLEMS.  I SUFFER IN MY RIGHT ARM FROM THE EXACT TYPE OF EXCRUCIATING PAIN FROM WHICH YOU DESCRIBE THAT YOUR HUSBAND SUFFERS AS WELL.  NEITHER NEURONTIN NOR LYRICA WERE HELPFUL TO ME,EXCEPT IF YOU CONSIDER A COUPLE OF HOURS SLEEP HELP!  THE REASON I HAVE SUCH PAIN IS BECAUSE THE ENDS OF THE NERVES WHICH ARE THE MOST SENSITIVE PART ARE INVOLVED.  I SAW MY NEUROLOGIST YESTERDAY AND HE PRESCRIBED FOR ME  "Fentanyl"  PATCHES.  IT IS CALLED ON THE BOX  "Fentanyl Transdermal System."  FENTANYL IS SYNTHETIC MORPHINE.  IT IS ONLY TO BE USED FOR CHRONIC PAIN AND TO BE USED OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.  THESE PATCHES ARE SO STRONG THAT YOU ONLY USE ONE EVERY 72 HOURS.  FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SIX MONTHS SINCE MY ACCIDENT,I HAD RELIEF FROM MY TERRIBLE PAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO SLEEP FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF HOURS WITHOUT THE PAIN AWAKENING ME!  INFACT,PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION OF THE PATCH YESTERDAY I COULD NOT HAVE TYPED ONE-QUARTER OF WHAT I HAVE SO FAR BECAUSE OF THE PAIN IN MY ARM!.......NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS,LOYCE!......MY NEUROLOGIST WAS VERY RELUCTANT TO PRESCRIBE THESE PATCHES FOR ME AND I SHALL EXPLAIN WHY.  MORPHINE IS A NARCOTIC AND THUS HAS THE PROPENSITY TO BE VERY ADDICTIVE,ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE AN ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY AS DO I.  BUT EVEN MORE SO THAN THAT IS THE BRAIN PRODUCES IT'S OWN NATURAL PAIN-MEDICATION,SO ONCE YOU START USING SOMETHING ARTIFICIAL LIKE THE FENTANYL PATCH,YOUR BRAIN STOPS PRODUCING SAID NATURAL PAIN-KILLER AND YOU EVENTUALLY BUILD UP A TOLERANCE,NEED A HIGHER DOSE,AND THUS BECOME ADDICTED TO THE ARTIFICIAL PAIN-KILLER!  MY DOCTOR CONSIDERED GIVING ME METHADONE IN LIEU OF THE FENTANYL,BUT ULTIMATELY OPTED FOR THE PATCHES BECAUSE WITH METHADONE YOU MUST TAKE DOSES EVERY 4-6 HOURS,PAINKILLING IS NOT IT'S PRIMARY FUNCTION AND MY PAIN REQUIRED SOMETHING STRONGER!  YOU MUST LET YOUR NEUROLOGIST KNOW ALL OF THE MEDICATIONS THAT YOUR HUSBAND IS TAKING  (OVER THE COUNTER ONES AS WELL),PRIOR TO GOING ON THESE PATCHES OR IT CAN BE VERY SERIOUS!  I HOPE I HAVE BEEN OF SOME HELP TO YOU. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!

[rainsummer]

has he tried Lyrica or neurontin? Both are used for nerve pain...