Nerve Pain - HELP!

[Ojibajo]

Okay is there ANYTHING abortive that can be done for never pain? I am having a rough day.

I seem to flare up like this on cold rainy day as of recent and I live in Michigan so it may be a long painful winter for me. :(

I also drank 2 cans of Coke yesterday. Unusual for me. I rarely drink soft drinks anymore. I am start to notice things with my body after drinking pop. I am wondering if the caffeine or something in the Coke has an affect. Maybe I am just crazy, but it seems like on one of my other bad days I had drank an unusually (for me) large amount of pop.

Suggestions and feedback will graciously be accepted!

Thanks!

Amy

[Guitar_grrrl]

Hi, Amy.  Sorry you're dealing with this.  You've gotten good advise, here.  I take a combo of Gabapentin (aka Neurontin) and Oxcarbamazepine (Trileptal) to deal with my nerve pain.  I'm down to minimal doses, now, to keep things at a dull roar.

The folks at the pain clinic will listen carefully to your story (if they're good ;-)), and fix you up with a good med or meds.  This may take some experimenting, too.

Good luck to you!  (((Amy)))

[Ojibajo]

My neuro wants to refer me to a pain clinic. This seems like over kill for occasional pain, but what do I know.

[kwarendorf]

As Poppy said, there are many drugs that can help alleviate nerve pain. NSAID's, like Motrin and Aleve, typically do not work, as there is not inflammation associated with nerve pain.

Off label use of antidepressants and anticonvulsants, by themselves or in combination, can work to relieve nerve pain. I have nerve pain in my feet. I take a combination of Neurontin (anticonvulsant) and Elavil (antidepressant). It's not an exact science and it can take some time to get the right combination or dose worked out, but they do work.

Kyle

[Ojibajo]

Yes, I am sure it's never pain. #1 I don't have any joints in my thighs. #2 I also have arthritis. It's not being cold that flares it up it's when the weather is cold and rainy and sucky outside. I'm inside so I am nice and warm.

The nerve pain is most intense in my thighs, but it is also in my shins and left hand and occasionally in both of my arms.

I put compression pants on this evening and it seems to be helping somewhat. It's not a perfect solution, but it's helping enough that I think I will probably be able to go to sleep.

[karryon55]

Hi Amy,

I have had arthritis since a child & know a fair bit about it. I am bringing this up because you said the rain is causing you pain. Are you sure it's nerve pain?

The relationship between people with arthritis & onset of pain during rainy periods is to do with barometric pressure. I have felt like a weather vein in my life because I can predict when rain is coming in & I don't just get joint pain but bursa, tendon & ligament pain. In Australia they believe the connection is to do with the change in barometric pressure. I find the heavier the rain the worse I feel as well.

I just thought I would mention it to you. I hope you feel better soon.

Take Care

Karry.

[Poppy7402]

Since it's cold that seems to be affecting you, how about trying a hot wheat bag on it?

Ibuprofen and Paracetamol together will also sometimes work if it's mild enough.

Other than that there's a whole range of drugs you PCP can try you on - low dose tri-cyclics anti-depressants, anti-epileptics etc etc.  Personally, I've found a combination of Doxepin and Carbamazepine work really well.  I know about it something wicked if I forget to take my morning dose of Carbamazepine though.  

There are that many drugs out there that no one should really suffer in this day and age.  :-)

Good luck

Poppy