One more question...

[frustratedmomto3]

Hi everybody, I just wanted to ask one more question. The doctor put me on Neurontin for the nerve pain I've been experiencing. I am on 300mg three times a day. At first it helped enough that I was able to handle things, but now it isn't working at all anymore. I am also on Percocet and Tramadal. I was trying not to take the Percocet because being on two addictive narcotics makes me nervous, but now I am having to take it several times a day in order to control my pain. So my question is, for others who experience the constant nerve pain, what medication works for you? If there is something else out there that will work better I want to know so I can talk to the doctor about it tomorrow. Thanks!
Chanelle

[PastorDan]

I'd never heard of Savella, so I looked it up & found this on Drugs-dot-com:

"Savella affects certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. An abnormality in these chemicals is thought to be related to fibromyalgia. Savella is not used to treat depression but how it works in the body is similar to how some antidepressants work.  Savella is used to treat a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia."

There's a lot more, of course.

Looks like it just received FDA approval at the beginning of this year.

[kmil1999]

Along the lines of the antidepressants, I started Savella for pain.  The random bee stings and all has significantly been reduced.  

Hope it helps!
Karen

[PastorDan]

I had to bump my Neurontin up to 1200 mg/day, but it still works well (when I remember to take it on schedule -- thanks for the reminder!) for my eye pain.

I've used Tramadol a couple of times in years gone by, but not for this illness.  As I recall, it would act like Ren described.  It was great when I had a small to medium sized kidney stone once.  Not long after I felt that familiar wave of narcotic relief sweep over me, that bad boy passed.  Too bad the next one was so much bigger.

I've known a couple of people who used Percocet for extremely severe pain.  One was my father as he was dying of liver cancer.  The other was my late wife, who used it for a few days after each of several surgeries.  She also used Tramadol and Vicodin at various times.  I'm not sure if I ever had Percocet while I was hospitalized.  I am pretty sure I've not used it at home.

My favorite pain drug has to be Dilaudid.  Until I tried that stuff (when I was about 26 years old, maybe 27; I'm now 52+), I never understood how people became addicted to narcotic drugs.  With Dilaudid, the kidney sometimes would still hurt, but I couldn't have cared less.  I was happy about everything.  I had to lay that drug down and walk away.

[frustratedmomto3]

Thank you so much for your thoughts and ideas. I used to do some self hypnosis and relaxation....maybe its time to go back to it. I will definitely talk to the doctor today about these other alternative meds...thanks. Ren, I agree...the percocet definitely just makes me not care about the pain...but thats something at the moment! lol!

I'll let you know what the doc says...I go in a couple hours. (I'm in Hawaii so my time is way different then the mainland)
Chanelle

[rendean]

HI,

I was on Neurontin then I switched to Lyrica for better dosing options - it worked well initially. Current meds are nortriptyline for neuropathic pain, Trileptal for trigemnal neuralgia and Klonopin for muscle spasms.


For me, traditional pain meds, i.e. Percocet ,ect. do nothing for my neuropathic pain except make feel like I don't care if I'm in pain :-) Tramadol does take the edge off and I do receive some relief.

Alex and Erin's ideas regarding relaxation are also very helpful. I got to PT once or twice a week and the massaging of sensitive areas does improve my neuropathic leg pain.

Good luck,

Ren

[Erin0313]

Channelle,

   Do you take an antidepressant? I take neurontin like you 300 x 3 per day but I also take Cymbalta. It is good for depression but it also helps with nerve pain.

  If you aren't on one maybe you could ask your doctor about adding it to your meds or if you are, maybe switching to one that helps with nerve pain like Cymbalta 30 or 60mg day.

Alex has a good idea with hypnosis. You could add anything that is calming, stretching, yoga, music, candles (whatever works to relax you) to your routine and might find that it helps (even just a little). Keep trying new things until you find something that takes the edge off.

Good luck
Erin :)

[HVAC]

Chanelle,
    I am in pain all the time. I am on nothing for pain. I am trying self hypnosis at night when I feel it the most and for me it works for me.  I used to not sleep because of pain. I have a therapist trained in hypnosis.

I hope you find something pain is terrible.

Alex