meds for severe neuropathy

[casperwendy]

My husband had begun developing peripheral neuropathy approx 4 yrs ago. His doctor simply stated that his circulation was good & did not diagnose the neuropathy or treat it.  A different physician later did diagnose.  He has had nerve conduction tests, anodyne therapy, was tried on neurontin, lyrica - both with no positve effect & some neg. side effects.  Last June he was diagnosed with rectal cancer, had 6 weeks of radiation, 2 out of 6 wks of 5FU chemo (ended as couldn't tolerate side effects), surgery to remove the tumor & another to reverse the illeostomy. His pain in his hands & feet is excruciating.  He learned that the MSIR, given for the cancer treatment pain, was able to manage the neuropathic pain.  There has been no etiology determined for the neuropathy. His Lumbar puncture was normal except for elevated protein.  His skin is very hot when his pain is bad, & he is lightheaded & unsteady. They do not want to prescribe MSIR outside of a pain clinic contract, which requires a urine screen first - he has urinary retention/enlarged prostate & cannot urinate on demand so that is not going well. His new PCP gave him Tramadol which very min. helps but makes him vomit.  Any thoughts about med alternatives, or next steps? He will be seeing a neurologist (his third) at Dartmouth in 2 weeks, but the pain is unbearable.  I am so disheartened by the failure of this system to help with this pain.  He does not use illicit drugs but has been treated as if he does. It truly makes one understand how someone may indeed look for illicit means to manage this pain!  Thank you~

[casperwendy]

Thank you, I will do so!

[Londres70]

You should post in the Pain Management Forum as well.