Amen Dr. Smith. Almost exactly what my PCP told me when I voiced concern about addition.

Hi Rose
I have had some success with Lidocaine Infusions, why dont you ask if this could be used instead of Ketamine?

In general, this has been the conventional belief, but as with all things medical, there are exceptions, and since they can't nail down/explain the cause of your pain, perhaps they should consider a little broader approach.

Methadone is making a comeback for chronic pain. It does have risks, as do all opioids, and it still carries some stigmatic issues, (both addressed in the quoted article below) but it's a bit different with respect to its ability to address neuropathic pain, and with quality of life on the line, it may be worth examining.

Also, Google: methadone for neuropathic pain

Doc

I am sorry your pain is so intense. I agree with Dr. Smith in this post. If your quality of life is that hard, I hope you will seek another pain specialist to at lease try an opiate. I have taken one for years, I do not have side effects, and they can be safe when used as directed. The relief from pain that I receive is good. I also had katamine infusions. This did help me for a short amount of time. The trouble with them is that you have to keep repeting them. The proceedure was not that uncomfortable, and I had no bad side effects from trying that approach eithor. I hope you find a solution that will allow you a better quality of life. Do not be afraid of some stigma, regarding the taking of medications for pain. There are times, when the use of them is justified. ginnie

Thanks everyone for all your support. It has now been 1 1/2 years with this all over body burning and itching pain. I saw my neurologist today for a one year follow up and he is now saying he believes that I have a small fiber neuropathy. Even though my skin biopsy was negative, he thinks that its too early in my disease process to show a positive biopsy and that it will be positive in the future. We will do a second biopsy in a year or so.

I agree that a slow release opiate could be helpful with neuropathic pain. I am going to talk to my pain Dr. about it next.

I know that LDN did not work for you at all, but I've also read that some patients have had better results when combining the two - LDN w/ opioid. It sounds crazy - like the two should cancel each other out - and I don't have the articles/references handy, but it may be worth looking into, and if it makes sense to you, asking/mentioning in your talk with your doc.

Doc

[I sincerely hope your doctor allows you to try an opiate. I take morphine ER and get excelent results. My NP is almost non existant even on a low dose. I hope your holiday has less pain, and that your doctor gives you quality of life for christmas. ginnie

That seems incongruous with what the article I quoted previously (post #23) says. There are several possibilities, but I think what matters most is that it's helping.

Doc

I know it isn't suppose to work as well as methadone. It has for me since the beginning of my spinal trouble. I took it for 6 years before my surgery, and again had good pain contol. Take it now in low dose and it does get rid of the NP. I read about the receptors too. My pain specialist was willing to put me on methadone too, but he said if the bridge isn't broken don't fix it. I know one other person who is taking morphine and it works for her too. Don't know why I am lucky in this regard. Most people need more than what I am taking, or a combination of meds. I will count my blessings. Maybe it works better because I know he is willing to adjust my meds if I ever need it. I have no anxiousnes or worry about the pain, no stress. That helps too. thanks for all your posts too. Have a peaceful holidays and take care of yourself. ginnie

I have to see me pain doctor this week. I switched from gabapentin to lyrica 300mg. First week I was getting great relief from lyrica but now my pain worse. I heard people get relief between 450-600mg lyrica. My pain doctor wont RX above 300mg as she feels side effects and efficiency does not warrant doses higher.

I have tried Tramadol 50mg 2 or 3 times but it didnt see to do anything.

My upper back and neck are burning and I have allodinya in those areas which is making things worse as you cant really touch the area. I am going crazy. I don't have a formal diagnosis. One Dr. thinks its small fiber and another doctor thinks its a central pain sensitization.

I am desperate for some relief. I am going to endocrinologist today as my Testosterone level is on low end of the spectrum and pregonlone is low too. Maybe thats why tramadol didnt work at all?

Is there any drugs that help the alloydinya that I can suggest to my pain doctor?