Is there any pain med that relieves Nerve Pain?

[thirdeye33]

I now was told that is why my pain meds don't work on my neck as good as on my back? What are my options? I listen to any feedback, (holistic, meds, therapies) I just need to get out of this pain. I have numbness and weakness in my arms too. Extreme dizziness! Pain/pressure on my back of skull.



Several Disc Herniations/Buldges C 5-6, C 6-7  L 2-3, L3-4, L4-5 ,L5-S1 w. anular tear w/ osteophtes and stenosis.
Mild sclerosis at C7-T1
Severe whiplash from MVA 2/12/2011 (still undetermined what is from mva and what is older) Never had any pain, was in perfect health and very active prior to mva. Never even got colds or headaches. I just keep going around in a circle w/ doctors. Very frustrated and depressing!

[thirdeye33]

First IME w/ the Chiropractor seem to go fine and he was nice. Seem to understand. Didn't taking any meds before I went that day, like I was advised to do. So my pain was triple!! Kinda cruel what has to be done to fight for my medical care for an accident I didn't cause. Oh, well...what ya gonna do. I have my next IME w/ the Neuro, the week after next...more nervous about that one. Since, from my time w/ Neuros, they have no humor and do not put me at ease.

Thanks again!

K

[Tuckamore]

I had an IME too.... like you I was frightened. I knew how extreme and permanent my injuries were but was concerned this IME would slant the situation.

I had nothing to fear. The physician was fair and agreed with everything my large team of physicians had said. I had a terrible time driving after the MVA, flashbacks would come from the smallest of things. The only opinion the IME gave me during the exam was that the flashbacks would get better. He said one day they would just be gone. I klung to that hope and he was right.  

I don't know what is causing your anxiety but if it's related to the MVA it will improve. I'm glad you are feeling better. Hang in!

My Best,
~Tuck

[thirdeye33]

I have an upcoming IME from auto co. for a Chiropractor and a Neurologist. Not looking forward to this. I know my condition is bad and all MY doctors agree....just makes me nervous( like everything else in my life right now)

[thirdeye33]

I finally had a chance to read your journal on "long term opiate therapy". I'm glad I read it. I guess, I was just so worried about relying on all these meds. I kinda gave in this week(mentally) Had a long talk with both Doctors and we up my Panic meds. I feel like a new person. I'm not crying 8 hrs. of the day anymore(so far so good) Also, they up my Tramadol, since my pain as just been getting worse. Really, most times I'm afraid to speak up to the Doctors. I know I have to mentally be in the game for my back/neck to get better...so if it's meds...so it be.

Thanks,Tuck

[Tuckamore]

I had a MVA also. My heart goes out to you. The injuries from my accident has finally disabled me. I fought it for years. I can't say I know how you feel but I do know how I felt in a similar situation and it was devastating.... life changing.  

You have multiple trauma that will require time for recovery.... one of them being the anxiety. I experienced it also post MVA. I sought therapy and it truly helped. You may have some PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) from the MVA. A good therapist can do wonders!  

Surgery should be your very last resort, in my opinion. There are other options that may be beneficial. Medications like Gabapentin is often prescribed for nerve pain. Ask your new PMP about this family of drugs and see if one is right for you.

When you say "Guided Imagery" I assume that you mean the program that is to direct your thoughts and suggestions in an attempt to guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. Correct?  This has a similar basis to many other thought/mind/body concepts such as meditation or visualization. I use visualization. I learned the techniques basically on my own after some research and reading and you can learn Guided Imagery in the same manner.  

Given the condition of your spine I doubt that any one thing will be the answer to your pain control. No ONE THING manages my pain, rather it is a combination of multiple things that generally keep my pain bearable. I think in the end you will find that to be true for you. In my opinion proper medications are a part of good pain management.....I have tried everything out there and like it or not I must include opiates in my over all plan of pain management. I believe most of our members will say the same.

My health has not decreased since the use of Western Medicine. I am sorry you feel differently. You may find this article of interest and informative:
Effects of Long Term Opiate Therapy
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/141662/Long-Term-Opiate-Therapy?personal_page_id=14686

I can't suggest a website outside of MedHelp (MH) but if you Goggle search you will discover sites that will offer specific information on Guided Imagery. You won't find a better support and informative site then MH in my opinion.

I wish you the very best and hope you will continue to share on our forum. We can relate and offer you our support.

Peace,
~Tuck

[thirdeye33]

Thank you, I'll try anything. I wanna try guided imagery too, do you know of any websites or programs to give me better info or help w/ that. I really don't want to take anymore drugs. My health has gone downhill (and not just my injury) since the accident. I know this is from western meds.

[hava]

This pranayam will help your nervous system. First do 30 minutes daily, twice a day, and then increase to 30 minutes, three times a day. You will feel the benefit in weeks and will be able to cut down some painkillers. You can come back with your progress, whenever you like.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

[thirdeye33]

Btw, thanks for all your input :)

Also, I should mention, since I got hit by an uninsured driver. I have to do all my medical care through (No Fault NY) It is a nightmare to find any, let alone any good Doctors who take it.

[thirdeye33]

Well, I really don't want to think about the word surgery. :(    I saw a Neuro right after my accident and he wanted me to go to 12 weeks of PT, after my 4th week my PT sent me back to my Neuro because I had such bad pain doing simple PT exercises. The Neuro then sent my to Pain Management Doc for Acupuncture and the possibility of injections. Did 14 sessions of Acupuncture w/ that electric thingie. Seemed to be helping my terrible headaches. This Doctor was giving no suggestions or help. Told me next step injections(epidurals). He wanted to put me on depression meds cause I have such a hard time controlling my crying and I used to be very athletic and stopped suddenly. I know I'm depressed, but really did not want more meds. He was like, just let me write you a script for Cymbalta. I stopped him and said is that ok to take w/ my other meds, he was like what meds are you on. I was so taken back that he did even care enough to check, after I forced him to look at my chart, he was like...you're right you can't take these together. Good grief!! I left after that and now waiting for another appt w/ a much better Pain Management Center that also has spine specialists on staff. My Chriopractor, which is what I'm currently being seen by(6 sessions in) told me my back/neck is a mess and that I have been ignored for the last six months and have only made things worse by not getting the right care. She said that is not my fault and that she was going to help me get the right attention. I am beyond frustrated!!!!  

I currently take 50mg. 4x daily of Tramadol as needed and .5mg of Clonzapam 2x daily for anxiety due to the accident.  I'm also supposed to be taking Skelaxin muscle relaxer 2x daily and Napraxon 2x daily. I get very sick from the Napraxon and previous to that took Nabatone (think I'm spelling these all wrong, sorry) I know I need an anti-imflam. , but they all make me nauseous.

I am very all natural, I hate having this injury. I feel like I've had the flu for 6 months!! I took maybe one pain reliever , once a yr. before all this. My tummy is just not happy w/ these meds. I did get an EMG after my accident, my Neuro requested it. Said I had Left C-7 radiculopathy, but the Neuro just seemed to overlook that?? He is a Neurosurgeon, so if I was not a candidate for surgery....he just seemed like he wanted to push me off to some one else. Everything has got only worse since then. I have 2 young kids, homeschool them( my oldest has Aspergers) it is just really tough to "take it easy" like all the doctors want me to do.  Ok, sorry for the long post.....now my arms/fingers really hurt.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Thirdeye,

Welcome. I am sorry to hear about the condition of your spine. Can you share with us which types of specialist you have consulted and their opinions?

Yes there are medications that help treat nerve pain.... these medications are multiple and what works for one may not work for another. Nerve pain is difficult to treat and often requires a trial and error of a combination of medications to reach a manageable pain level. Have you been prescribed any medications, if so which ones?

I'll look forward to hearing from you soon.

My best to You,
~Tuck

[anishka56]

Sorry the last two post were for thirdeye33 not jaybay.  My bad.

[anishka56]

I have had C-spine and L-Spine surgery, helped in other pain problems. You definitely need to get a neurosurgern to check you out and see what they say. I started taking the cymbalta after the surgery because I still had some nerve ending pain that is when they found the arachnoiditis. UGH.

[anishka56]

I have nerve ending pain from arachnoiditis, I take cymbalta for it and it helps me alot. Don't know if that helps but thought I would tell you. I couldn't take lyrica, nuerontin, so forth but the cymbalta I don't have the side effect problems and helps.

[mommy52]

I agree with Jaybay about surgery. Had a PA tell me nothing was going to help nerve pain except to get the pressure off the nerve. Wishing you the best.      Madlyn

[Jaybay]

If ever there was a surgical candidate, it's you.  Your injuries are so extensive that I doubt there is any medication that will knock your pain back to where you have some level of comfort.  Nerve pain is commonly treated medically with medications like neurontin, topamax or lyrica.  Some people swear by it; others can't tolerate the side effects or it makes no difference to their pain.

Have you consulted with a surgeon yet?  Spinal surgery has come a long way in the past couple of decades with many surgeons providing minimally invasive surgeries.  Severe stenosis can be treated with an X-Stop implant that is performed on an outpatient basis.  Sometimes you just have to treat the underlying cause of the pain no matter how frightening that prospect may be.  The tough thing about having impinged nerves that cause pain and numbness is that you can wait too long for surgery.  Even if the pressure is relieved the symptoms may never go away.  Something to think about anyway.

Are you working with a pain management physician?  They don't all just throw meds at the pain.  You might benefit from injections done under anesthesia to bathe the nerve roots in your neck with a local anesthetic.  Like any other therapy, there are no guarantees it will even work but it's just one more thing you can try.  If it does help, you might have up to 6 months of relief.  There's just no way of knowing until you try it.

Physical therapy is usually required by most surgeons prior to heading to the OR.  The more you build up the muscles in your neck and back, the less strain is placed on other structures like bones and ligaments which results in less pain.  A dedicated effort can actually bring surprisingly good results.