Been in treatment for 1 yr. 4 months. Did well on Ceftin/Biaxin for several months. Did Flagyl too. 90% better.

Something then 'happened'. All of my nerve pain (symetrical- lower arms & legs) suddenly (and do I mean suddenly, just one day) flared up to a point of unbearable, nothing like it had ever been before. Horrific. Can't function.

Changed LLMD's- went to Dr.J in NC clinic, who said I was in the middle of a 'neruo' herx. Put me on Minocycline & Biaxin. Gave me Nerontin (sp.?) as pain killer.

That was two weks ago. Neurontin is doing ABSOLUTLY NOTHING. The pain has not decreased AT ALL. The only thing that changed was I experienced numbness & loss of coordination on left side for several days (had never had that before).

Has anyone else had nerve pain for weeks on end with no relief? Do you all think this is a 'neuro herx'? For five weeks?

WHAT THE HE** COULD BE GOING ON?

I have almost had to quit work entirely. I am in so much freaken pain. Am losing my mind.

Had my husband call DR.J today on my behalf, no luck getting him so far.

WILL THIS PAIN GO AWAY?

HEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPP.

Its possible for this to be a neuro herx. Its also possible for something to have changed structurally, so if it doesn't change, that may need to be checked. Some nerves in the cervical (neck) vertabrae can cause pain and inflammation in the entire nervous system.

I have had neuro pain for very extended periods. Once the nervous system gets inflamed it can be very difficult to calm it back down. Effective pain relief is part of what you need, as it breaks the cycle of increasing pain.

For me, Vicodin is what I use to break the cycle, but there are lots of possibilities. Sometimes it takes more than one approach. Increased magnesium, NSAIDS, rx NSAIDS, muscle relaxers, opioids, other drugs in the class with neurontin can all be tried.

Hope something helps soon!

Being in that much pain is not good..Call them back..express your discomfort..surely they will help..I know they are extremely supportive and caring.I hope you can get some relief VERY soon.

However, my experience is with Elavil
which acts directly on the nerves to turn the pain off. I've seen that others on the site have used it as well. It is not addictive & you only have to take when the pain hits.

My LLMD said I had peripheral inflammatory neuropathy when my legs & feet went into that gnawing, pain.

Elavil is a cheap, very old antidepressant that's also used for pain. It will make you sleepy. If you have heart problems, it can make you have palpitations & if you're on other antidepressants you probably couldn't take it.

That said, what I always did was to take Elavil 10 - 20 mg added to 3 tablets (200 mg each of Motrin/Advil). And yes, as the others said increase your magnesium to bowel tolerance.

Have someone go to Wal-Mart & get you a bottle of liquid Magnesium Citrate located in the laxative section for about $1. This is quickly absorbed, but the key is to use a minute amount every 2 hours-------or you'll get diarrhea.

When I'm in the worst pain, I say the heck with diarrhea & I take 1 - 2 ounces at once. (This is not the best way because diarrhea will upset your electrolytes; but it's either that or go to the ER!)

I've taken Elavil off & on for 12 years for debilitating pain (Lyme headaches, neck, ear pain & sleep). I will always keep an ample supply in the cabinet & I won't leave home without it.

This is a very under-rated med for pain. A Percoset would end the pain for l - 2 hours & then poof, the pain was back. It's not like that with Elavil.

Always take the lowest possible dose, perhaps start with l0 mg. and remember to treat your pain early on. You probably already know all this, but it's critical.

You gotta get out of that pain mode & break the cycle. That nerve pain ------it's just a whole different kind of pain.

As for myself, I would never take a Flagyl on the day I'm having that kind of pain. It does act on the central nervous system &
can easily worsen the pain.

Anyway, keep that Elavil & Motrin in mind. The Pill Book states the usual dose for Elavil is 25 mg three times daily, but I always tried to keep it low. Oh, & don't forget the lowly Valerian herb. It was always a kind of add-on pain killer to my prescriptions.

Be sure not to take more than maximum dose of Motrin as stated on the bottle in one day; take with food.

I also would take Elavil the next morning if I woke up in some left-over pain from the day before. Then, eventually I could just take Motrin & that would reduce the inflammation.

I treated my pain until it was totally gone----- and believe me I hated putting all that Motrin through my system, but I was desperate.

Klonopin (anti-convulsant) l mg. is a great add-on for nerve pain. I take mine sublingually for faster effect. It's addictive, but it works along with the Elavil.

Recipegirl- Dr.J wanted me to increase the Neurotin & add in another pain killer (can't recall which one now- haven't picked it up yet).

Not so sure I want to do this as the Neurotin is having some strange side effects (like I feel totally 'high' in a really bad way for about 1 minute or so (about 30 min. after I take it)- then just wierd...). Don't feel it is touching the pain- just making me feel tired & wierd. So...perhaps it's no good for me?

I am going to ask about this Elavil- have seen reference to it too. But, for now don't think I can do much for a few days.

My LLMD wants me to go off all abx's for three days or so to see if that 'calms things down'. When I call them back on Fri. I will ask about the Elavil. For now guess I'll have to just take what I got & 'pray'. Been going through this torture for weeks- what's a few more days? HAHAHAHA.

Thanks again.

Here's wishing us all if not good, at least 'decent' health in the very near future.

Although the pain abated after two weeks, it returned again a month later, and I was switched to omnicef + zith.

I'm getting from what you say that you have feelings that the Nurontin is not right for you.

I'd pay attention to that, and look for something else. You really must trust your gut.

As for the neuropathy, has anyone mentioned the possibility that Flagyl use could have cause this as a side effect? I know it can cause periferal neuropathy in some patients, this is sometimes difficult to differentiate from a Herx..but in some cases it is a direct side effect of the medication itself.

Mo

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