Need Opinions of these Non-Narcotic Pain Relievers

[BionicWoman1964]

I've suffered chronic back pain for 10+ years.   I'm off all opiates now after being on them for more than 5+ years. I'm now taking lots of vitamins and minerals to promote and maintain my general well-being. My only prescription meds now are Amitriptyline (100 mgs @ bed) and Parafon Forte (4x per day).  I just got a Spinal Cord Stimulator, which helps my sciatic pain, but my lower back pain is still pretty bad.  I just started taking Cherry Juice Extract which has been effective at treating chronic pain for another member of this site, but it's too early to tell anything yet!  I also take two Tylenol PM at bedtime.

I will NOT go back to opiates or anything addicting, so that's why I'm researching non-narcotic pain relievers.  The ones I'm considering are analgesics or drugs prescribed "off-label" as analgesics.  I can't take NSAIDS due to stomach issues, so that reduces my options even further.

Following is a list of drugs that "may" have some potential for me.  If you have any personal knowledge about any of these drugs, would you be willing to share your experiences with me?  I really need to know if the "Pros" are WORTH the "Cons".  Here they are (in no particular order):

Gabitril
Neurontin
Lyrica
Skelaxin
Effexor
Cymbalta
Triavil
Celebrex
Emla Patches

I'm open to any other suggestions as well.  THANKS!!

[pLacebo89]

My dad was taking Skelaxin and when he would take it he would be a little messed up.  My dad quickly stopped taking it and they put him on Effexor which caused some side effects such as dizziness, insomnia, and upper respiratory problems.  Never taken them personally, but that is what I have heard.  I would immagine those would also be addictive also, maybe not as bad, but still dependence would set in.

GOOD LUCK
...Sarah

[Jacqui805]

It all depends on the source of your pain and the type of pain you're having.  First of all, you're already on an antidepressant, so I'm not sure whether you can even take another one, like Cymbalta, or Triavil. . and Triavil has Amitriptyline in it.  So, if the Amitriptyline is working for you at all, I can't see a reason to switch to another one.  

The Gabitril and Neurontin will only help most likely, if you're having nerve-related pain....and everybody seems to be hit or miss with these.  They can have some profound side effects too....but it's worth a try.

As far as the Skelaxin is concerned, if you are having muscle pain, then maybe it will work for you, but again, profound side effects.  

and I should say here too, that most of these meds carry a risk of dependence and addiction as well.

The Celebrex, hmmm...might work for you, might not...but you said you could not take NSAIDs and this is an NSAID.

The Emla patches are similar to Lidoderm patches and really only work for topical issues...they do not affect deep tissue...they are good in wound care management and shingles...things like that.

The Lyrica...again, a toss up.  I tried that one myself.  I put on 13 pounds in just a tiny amount of time...six of it in the first week.  It, is similar to Neurontin and has profound side effects.  I'm still not sure about this one.  btw, it is a Class IV Scheduled drug as well, just so you know.  The side effects really bothered me and I think it only helped me a tiny bit.  

I wish you luck in finding a solution..I'm looking for one myself.

[avisg]

have you ever tried or heard of zanaflex