Pain killers for neuropathic pain

[Guest guest]

Hello to everybody,

My son has deteriorated from the Dec. diagnosis of CMT.  His GABAPENTIN doesn't

help him anymore;  He has more neuropathic pain, migraines, numbness of upper &

lower extremities; cannot sleep well. He's using a cane on his bad days. Any

other pain medication that he can use for those with good effects?  He's going

to see his neurologist, this 17th.

Thanks.....te-c

[Guest guest]

Tessie,

Ask the Dr. about Lyrica, or perhaps some of the anti-depressants such

as Elavil or Wellbrutrin. Perhaps Vitamin E too - it does work on pain.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Tessie,

I too have taken Gabapentin for years, and recently stopped taking it since it

was of no value whatsoever. I've heard this from countless others who take this

for neuropathy related pain, and have had no pain relief either. I do take

tramadol and oxycodone for my pain, and it helps to keep it manageable.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Tessie- I have been taking Nortriptylene for level 10 nerve pain for the past

two years.  It has literally saved my life. 

Lyn

[Guest guest]

Tessie:

I have been on Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica at different times

and neither was particularly effective. The side effects of Neurontin

made me so drowsy I had difficulty working. Lyrica has less of a

soporific effect, but it caused many (including me) to gain weight.

Pain perception is very dependent on the serotonin level in the brain.

I am blessed with sleep apnea due to the effects of CMT on my

diaphragm so I wasn't making enough during sleep.

Antidepressants work by increasing the serotonin level. My rehab

physician (everyone belonging to this group should be consulting with

rehab doctor for quality of life issues -- a neurologist doesn't have

the same scope of interest) prescribed Lexapro which worked at least

as well as the Neurontin or Lyrica.

When I moved to Rome, Lexapro is not sold here and I changed to

Cymbalta. I had better pain control with Lexapro, but one of the

interesting side effects of Cymbalta kicked.

My appetite was cut in half and all the weight I gained on Lyrica

disappeared as did a lot of the post wedding weight I gained over the

last 30 years.

My advice is to consult with a rehab specialist and try something

other than the strong neuro drugs developed to control seizures.

--Larry

[Guest guest]

Hi there, Tessie!

So sorry that your son is in pain. My son went through a period when

the Gabapentin didn't seem to be helping, and it was a matter of

readjusting the dosages. His neurologist also added Zanaflex (I

can't remember the generic name, Tizadadine or something)The Z-flex

helped him get to sleep and eased the night time spasms... I don't

remember how old you said your son is, but in 's case it was a

matter of having growth spurts and having to readjust the medication

to his new weight.

Just thought I'd share our experience with you. From what I

understand Gabapentin can be taken several times a day and the dosage

can go up pretty high. Please keep us posted.