Nerve pain

[Pete73]

I had a sarcoma malignant tumour removed from my knee. The surgery required plastic surgery which resulted in nerve pain from my knee to my foot. It follows along the peroneal nerve. I am on gabapentin, Hydromorph Contin and Methadone to control pain. I also am taking acupuncture and trying a desensitization technique by rubbing different kinds of materials along my leg.
The pain can be quite severe.
Do you have any other suggestions that would take away the pain?
Peter

[Pete73]

Thank you Mollyrae and Tuck for your responses and expressions of concern.

It's been a year since my surgery to remove the malignant tumour on my knee. I was fortunate not to have my leg amputated. The doctors decided just to remove the tumour instead.

Although the surgery healed well the nerve pain persists. According to the doctors I am seeing my present condition is due to the brain misinterpreting nerve signals and the nerve pathways and found new pathways with dead-ends that have small nodule-like protusions. He said it is like when the telephone rings but no one is there at the other end. Some have likened it to phantom pain. I have also been told that nerve regeneration takes a long time and it is still probably going on even after a year. Have either of you had this explained to you? If so, what is your interpretation?

The pain medications I am taking are prescribed by a pain specialist from the Cancer Clinic who has had many years of experience in treating hospice patients. Presently, because I do not want to be on morphine due to its addictive properties I am slowly reducing the dosage  and slightly increasing the methadone under the direction of the doctor. One time I missed taking the morphine and experienced the sweats so any reduction must be done slowly. I also missed taking Gabapentin one time and experienced severe needle-like pain around my foot and ankle. Very uncomfortable.

Are you aware of a desensitizing process whereby you rub different kinds materials with varying degrees of abrasiveness along the nerve pain areas? It is suppose to train the nerves to expect natural feelings and not pain. It was recommended to me by an occupational therapist. I have been doing that technique for awhile but to date the pain has not subsided. The two acupuncture treatments have not yet produced results but I am willing to give it some time. In all of these techniques the results may be a long time  coming. Of course, the doctor will not guarantee that the pain will eventually go away. It may be with me for the rest of my life which I find quite depressing. However, for the time being I intend to keep a positive attitude and am leaning towards a more mind/spirit approach to reframe my attitude towards the pain.
Peter

[Tuckamore]

Hello Pete,

Welcome to MedHelp. I am glad you found us. I am so sorry that you are having such horrid pain. I had a knee surgery (minor compared to yours) some years ago and the pain was excruciating. You must be very uncomfortable. Nerve pain is one of the most severe and difficult to treat of all pains.

It sounds like you are on appropriate medications but are they at high enough doses to control your pain adequately? You may never be pain free but your pain should be more controlled. My suggestion would be that you discuss an increase or maybe a change of medications with your physician.

I'm sorry that I can't think of another suggestion that would be beneficial for you but others will post and offer more input. Please let us know how you are doing. I will be interested in hearing what works for you. Take Care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello Pete and welcome to Med Help.

Do I understand you right, you are taking Hydromorphone (Morphine), Oxycontin and Methadone to control your pain? I am asking because I have never heard of a Doctor prescribing all three meds that are considered long acting meds. As for the acupuncture, I have heard of very few if any that have had good results with nerve pain.
There is a drug called Lyrica that is supposed to work better than the Gabapentin. You might give that a try. I have nerve pain as well and the only thing that has helped me are the opiates. Sorry I cannot give you more advise. Take care and good luck,
Mollyrae