For those with nerve pain, what helped you the most?
If you were prescribed something, what was good and bad about it? What were the side effects? It seems most of what can be prescribed for this causes tiredness, which is one of my worst symptoms already.
I know Elavil is sometimes prescribed for nerve pain, but I see it can cause weight gain and tiredness. I don't need more of either of these!
This is a new symptom for me and it is getting worse.
Please post what has helped you most. Thank you!
[ 08-17-2009, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Sammi ]
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
Where do you get those patches, cottonbrain?
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
gwb. Lidoderm patches are prescription.
Posted by Cap67 (Member # 21923) on :
I was on neurontin for a long time then it quit helping and then was put on lyrica after trying the patches ( lidoderm) and a tens unit...lyrica has really helped.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Thank you for your replies everyone. I am glad you have each found something that works.
What side effects do the patches have cottonbrain? Are they for pain relief?
Cap67, what side effects can Lyrica have?
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
Sammi, I've tried the lidoderm patches too, and I know of no side effects with these. Unfortunately, they did not provide much pain relief for me, though.
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
My main symptom has been nerve pain. There is really nothing that will take it away completely. Xanax and ibuprofen (believe it or not) have helped more than any other Rx and I have had some brutal nerve pain.
Also suggested by one of my doctors has been Ketamine, made through a compound pharmacy. If used cautiously and correctly it is proving to help nerve pain a lot from what I have been told. I have not tried it.
Posted by jam338 (Member # 14002) on :
Lido pain patch did nothing for me, sisterinlaw, and motherinlaw....total waste for us.
I don't advocate Benzodiazepines because of risks, but that said....some report relief with forms of benzodiazipines. Just have to find which one of the many different ones works best for your chemistry, if at all. They definitely do not all function the same!
Benzo.org has great advisory info by Prof Heather Ashton in the UK. Educate yourself,know your risks as benzos (like all RX) has side effects and risks and can be brutal withdrawals after long term use.
Temazepam (benzo) helps me, but is a sleep me and will make you very sleepy.
Some say low dose Klonopin (benzo) helps w/neurotoxin excititoy neuro pain gonna try that next.
Others say Xanax (benzo) helps them.
Benzos are a slippery slope med, but can offer relief for some when nerve pain is unbearable.
Also, the blood pressure drug Clonidine has been shown in studies to help with neuropathic pain. However those with low blood pressure should NOT take it as it lowers blood pressure. It is a drug also used to help taper off opiates so it acts on opiate receptors. Lots of info online on it and some research studies even show it helps with sweats/hot flashes for some.
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
lymebytes, what is Ketamine?
sammi, as for side effects with the lidoderm patches -- the only one I know of is bustedwalletitis, LOL -- they are very expensive.
If you do try them, the directions say not to reuse them but I find that i can use them at least twice. they do not provide perfect pain relief but they help me a lot.
the pharmacist told me that hemorrhoid creams may work too, though i haven't tried these.
marylandmom, sorry to hear the patches didn't help you. have you found anything that works?
Posted by laceyj (Member # 13862) on :
what exactly is the nerve pain you are experiencing
i think some sort tumeric, premier research liver detox which has tumeric, premier research inflammacicin i think, they also have a pain relief zeolite you can put on an area for relief,
infrared sauna also magnesium oil you can put on the skin
Posted by Beautiful Disaster (Member # 21882) on :
This has been the sx that has been my worst and changed my life completely. Xanax and Klonopin work WONDERS but like I've said and mentioned before, it has (at least for me) a tolerance level that builds WAY TOO FAST. 1 year ago I was on 2, 1mg Klonopin each day. Now I'm on 2mg, 3x daily....and it's not helping like it should.
Honestly, I have to take more than rxd to get through the day and then go through hell the rest of the month.
I've tried EVERYTHING ELSE and I mean EVERYTHING. Everything mentioned above and then some.
I'm resorting to neck and back surgery to do the forbidden steroid injections on Friday in my back and then my neck....however, I am asking them to switch it because I want my neck done first.
It's hell. Opiates don't even touch it. Especially my neck for some reason.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Hey my friend!
So sorry to know you are dealing with this most annoying symptom! If you are suspecting Neuropathy, you may want to give the B's a chance? Sublingual B6 and Bcomplex are a good combination for neuropathy issues...and have helped many.
I have also tried neurontin, klonipin, elevil... most of the usual suspects. And most supps too. Some do help to quiet thngs for a time, but none have been long lasting remedies.
Yes, they do make you sleepy, so I always took them at bedtime to try and help with insomnia issues as well.
Feel better! M
Posted by Cap67 (Member # 21923) on :
Sammi sorry for the delay in answering you, I am only on once a day at best and sometimes it might be days, depending on the pain my back/hands...anyway you asked about side effects of the lyrica, I have swelling of the hands and feet, usually in the morning but they usually go down as the day goes on...it can make you sleepy but that typically wears off as your body becomes acustom to it. That is really all the side effects I deal with. I have weight issues but I have dealt with that all my life and I have recently lost 65 pounds , sooooo. for any further information you might need on it, here is a link for you
Maryland Mom, I am sorry the patches did not help you. Have you found anything that has?
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Lymebytes, I am sorry you have brutal nerve pain. It is very had to tolerate. I hope it gets better with treatment.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
jam338, thank you for your input. It looks like you have really done your research!
So many of the meds for this have horrible side effects. I guess you have to weigh the pros and cons.
I hope the Klonopin gives you relief.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
cottonbrain, I love "bustedwalletitis!!!" This is a side effect of many Lyme treatments!
I am glad the patches are helping you.
I wonder how hemmoroid creams work. Do you apply it to the areas where there is nerve pain?
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi laceyj. This symptom started for me a few days after getting a Glutathione push. It is burning pain on several areas of my body. My doctor said it is nerve related.
I will check out your suggestions, thank you!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Beautiful Disaster, I am very sorry your pain is so intense. It sounds unbearable. I hope you can get relief soon.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi Melanie! How ironic that you suggested B vitamins. When I saw my regular doctor recently and told him about this pain, he suggested trying Metanx. I had used it before but I did not have nerve pain then.
I forgot that he suggested it until you mentioned this, so thank you! I do B12 shots already. I started the Metanx last night, so hopefully it will help.
I am sorry you have this wretched symptom also.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Cap67, wow you have lost 65 pounds?
Thank you for posting the link.
I hope your pain lets up soon.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
steven, I am glad your pain has improved!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Pinelady, I am glad you have gotten some relief also!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Carol, it is great that you had such a fast response to the B vitamins!
I started taking Metanx last night, so I hope it will help. I wonder if adding more B vitamins would be overkill.
Posted by steven (Member # 13101) on :
Sammi, unfortunately the pain only improved for a while after rocephin - and then came back. in the long run i havent found anything against nerve pain.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Thanks Bugg.
I am glad you found something to help. I do take Vitamin D because my level is low.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
steven, I am sorry you still have this.
Hopefully this will go away with treatment for all of us!
Posted by Cap67 (Member # 21923) on :
Sammi, thanks for the kind words!! I am getting some relief but man oh man do my hands/wrists hurt tonight!! throbbing!!! How are you doing hun???I have lost 70 pounds now, hoping to lose more!!! Please take care, my thoughts and prayers are with you all!!
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Hot as I could stand epsom soaks and B12 IM helped me in the beginning. As I improved I could crank down the heat and slow down the shots.
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
My pain doc prescribed Desipramine for nerve pain and it does help me. The dosage is 25-50 mg 3x day. I also use Lidoderm patches...moderate relief. I cut them up and use them all over my legs.
Neurontin helps somewhat but makes me sleepy so I only use it at night.
Hot baths...as hot as you can stand it...help.
And I live with my heating pad!
Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
High doese of IM methylcoablim 25 mg/ml 3 days a week and IV glutathione. I had horrible reactions to lyrica, cymbalta, savalla, neurontin.... those medications should be avoided at all costs.
Nerve pain is my worst symptom and I think its caused by toxins, yeast die off, or at least for me it is worsened tremendously by oral antibiotics. I cant take any of them for this reason. If anything else helps me I'll let you know. Hang in there!
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
I reacted strong to lyrica, cymbalta is stimulating but it does help with pain.
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
up, does anyone get burning and cutting type pains?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
neurontin
before i had it i used skelaxin every 6 hrs during day and oxycodone at night. the oxy gave me about a 2 hr break to sleep.
Posted by pomegranite (Member # 3339) on :
kava alone probably won't do the trick. But Kava with many of the other recommendations above will help. Kava Tea by yogi tea company can be found at whole foods or other naturual stores.
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Please take care, my thoughts and prayers are with you all!!