Neuropathic pain

GagaJo

I'll let you know Elaine. I'm in a support group for cancer survivors and Gabapentin was recommended or something called Soma. My GP, who is very good tho, suggested Amitriptyline because he said it would work quicker where as Gab has to build up over a period of time.

GagaJo my husband has consulted doctor and he was not keen on amitriptyline as apparently can cause heart problems. He is now on gabapentin which has fortunately helped his pain and allowed him to sleep better and not have so much pain during the day. The only side effect so far is slight dizziness on standing which quickly wears off. He has to take 3 a day. So sorry you are still having problems.

Unfortunately, my pain is a result of having lots of surgery, cutting of bits out, pulling & resewing bits back together. So the nerves have been chopped and hence, regrowing / firing signals in the wrong places etc. Not helped by much of the area being numb. Numb to the touch but not to the electrical nerve pain.

Not a lot to be done other than coping with it.

growstuff Yes, I've had phyio but thanks. I've got a hospital appointment on Sunday (!) where they are going to do neurological tests on the nerves. They should be able to give me a proper diagnosis, and hopefully will suggest some treatment.

VioletSky Thanks . It was going to be Ooh I Say or I told You So

I tried Amitriptyline for nerve pain from spinal issues and although it helped me sleep I felt hungover the next day. I also gained weight but that may have been because I was not moving around much due to pain. I find prescription strength Co-Codamol and Gabapentin do the job most of the time and have taken that with no real ill effects for a few years now. You do have to build the Gabapentin dose up gradually. I also had six weeks of hydrotherapy organised by my NHS physio, that was excellent, I wish it could have gone on longer, of course Covid threw a spanner in the works with therapies. What works for one doesn’t always work for others. I have a close friend who takes Pregabalin and is fine on it, Gabapentin didn’t do anything for her.

HowVeryDareYou

I've got what the hospital think is a "stretched" nerve in my shoulder - CT, Xrays, MRI all failed to show anything up.

I've had Codeine Sulphate, Co-Codamol and Gabapentin (none helped). The GP has now prescribed Pregabalin, but looking at the side-effects, mainly the ones affecting mental health (I'm already on antidepressants), I don't want to take them. The doctor is possibly going to use a steroid injection, in 2 weeks' time. I've had the pain every day since July.

This is slightly off-topic, but have you tried physio?

I had a mysterious pain in my shoulder and arm for months. After x rays and MRI scan, I eventually had physio and was taught exercises to rebalance my spine because my posture isn't good. The exercises really did help and when I get pains, I know what to do.

HowVeryDareYou

I just had to say that's the best name I've seen on gransnet

How about a tens machine?
I think you can (or used to) be able to hire them, to see if they work.

I've got what the hospital think is a "stretched" nerve in my shoulder - CT, Xrays, MRI all failed to show anything up.

I've had Codeine Sulphate, Co-Codamol and Gabapentin (none helped). The GP has now prescribed Pregabalin, but looking at the side-effects, mainly the ones affecting mental health (I'm already on antidepressants), I don't want to take them. The doctor is possibly going to use a steroid injection, in 2 weeks' time. I've had the pain every day since July.

For those that find low dose amitriptyline makes them dozy the next day, I was advised to take it 12 hours before I needed to wake up- just after tea time rather than await bedtime. I was also advised to start with half a tablet (5mg not 10mg) to reduce the next morning drowse experienced in the first few days adaptation.
I was prescribed it some years ago (for CFS and neurological pain) and at first I did not think it helped much - however I soon later that it was helping. It helped me sleep ( despite the pain) and gradually life got better. Better sleep was part of that.

Oh, Gagajo you are I for a real treat then. The blanket I have has to go under the sheet but they do actually do heated throws as well... Please try it and let me know if I need both lol

Ahhh VS, an electric blanket I COULD do. I work online and if I angle the camera right, they can only see my head and neck! I could have the blanket below camera height!

GagaJo electric blanket has been a life saver for me.

I've been stuck doing staff training but about to hit mine now

Sorry not to have been back. I've given up on the amitrip. because it was making me dozy and I have a lot of work on.

I took a couple of over the counter paracetamol and codeine tonight, based on growstuff's comment, and the pains almost completely gone.

Not a long-term solution, but a nice break from the pain, at least.

I take 10mg of amitriptyline every night as I get tension headaches. On the whole it works for me, no side effects and get fewer headaches now. I know some people get quite severe side effects, luckily I'm not one of them.

I’m in the same position - lots of surgeries due to congenital disability and neuropathic pain followed. I find that Gabapentin helps. Tried Amitriptyline but it made me too drowsy and although Gabapentin can cause drowsiness in higher doses, I find that a low dose combined with a simple heat source such as a wheat bag or hot water bottle helps.

I don't think I've ever taken anything that didn't have a few side effects for a while. I also take 20mg a day.

Calmlocket yes Amitriptyline is an antidepressant in a higher dose. But like a lot of drugs they are duel purpose in different doses. So please don't dismiss it because it didn't work for you.

I know how much it has helped me. And I had tried a lot of pain killers with no effect .

GagaJo I have been taking a 10mg tablet of Amitriptyline morning and night time for 33 years for nerve pain and it does help. Due to a neurological condition I am in constant pain with my left arm and leg. The Amitriptyline helps me tolerate the pain so it means I can get on with my life. I have what I call pain flares usually in my arm or leg very rarely both at the same time. My neurologist told me to take an extra one of a lunch time until the pain goes back to its normal level. Which I do and usually only need the extra tablet for 2-3 days. I know someone who takes it for severe back pain her discs are crumbling she is on the same dose as me and does the same thing when the pain flares.

I have had no side effects from it. It will take about a week before you notice the effects. I hope it works for you.

I had a severe reaction to amitryptiline so stopped taking it, I dont understand why they dish out amitryptiline as its an anti deppressant. I find a hot water bottle on my lower back helps with the neuropathic pain in my legs. I cant take anti immaflatories so have to make do with paracetamol.

Hello Jo
I have it due to a trapped nerve in my back due to spinal stenosis.
Sometimes the pain goes up the side of my face and behind my eye.
I have taken amitryptiline (excuse my spelling, I can never get it right) but stopped because it can’t be taken with Tramodol which I ‘get on with’. I can’t recall having a great deal of success with it.
I now take Pregabalin and tramadol.
Pregabalin works, but it really knocks you out. It’s heavy duty stuff. I probably take too many opioids
I hope that you aren’t in too much pain and get some relief soon

Sorry to hear that. I’ve had nerve pain for the past twenty years . Gone through the usual meds without success then on Palexia which was more successful til the effects started wearing off. I now get by with Lidocaine patches (numbing) and an Actipatch. Our house move hasn’t helped and the pain is really bad. Especially at this time of night!

It is supposed to take 6-8 weeks for the pain meds to really kick in.

I also had brain fog with Amitryptiline some years ago. I only took it twice at night but felt tired, confused and irritable all the next day. Came home from work at 2.15pm as I felt unable to concentrate. Also had a dry mouth as a side effect.

Take it about 3 hours before you go to bed and it should help. It does take time to build up in your system

GagaJo

I'm not impressed by it so far. Made me dopey(er) the next day and the effect was negligible.

I HAVE discovered that fabric on the area makes it worse. But other than walk around naked, there's not much I can do. Bit nippy for that.

I was prescribed Amitryptiline. It did take the edge off the pain (but not entirely), but after two months I couldn't cope with the side effects and I gave up after two months. I felt permanently dopey and couldn't think clearly. I've gone back to Co-dydramol.