I take one of the anti-epileptic medications (Sodium Valproate) for nerve pain.

I don't think this one is available to those in the USA, but other medications in the same group have had good results when treating neuralgias.

Koala,
I'm in Aus too.
Is the anti-epileptic med only available with a prescription?

The Dr's I have seen don't bother offering any meds to help wth the various sx, so i don't know anything about what's available.

You can get Depakote here in the U.S. which is a mix of sodium valproate and something else (can't remember). Neurontin is an anti-convulsive, anti-seizure, anti-epileptic med but chemically different than sodium valproate and works differently with the neurotransmitters. I am not sure if you can get it in Australia or not.

It is really a hit or miss on what will work and what won't work and we are each different. I have found that massages are out of the question for me as they increase the pain and spasticity - one wrong touch and it's over. LOL I do my yoga daily and that seems to help.

I also use a lot of ice. Ice helps those neurotransmitters. People who have trouble swallowing due to a stroke, brain injury, etc. are advised to drink ice water as it helps the nerves and thus makes swallowing easier. I have the constant hug and sometimes, like I mentioned, have breakthrough pain. I have no abdominal reflexes on my left side and the nerve pain shooting through that area can be tough. So I use my ice pack on it and it really, really helps.

Try different things and see what helps relieve the pain while you are waiting to get in to the dr. I find that if I follow my instincts, I do best. In other words, if I feel like I need to put ice on something I do it and it feels better. Other times, I want heat.

Feel better soon!

Tricai, My hug is on the left side too. It has been really bothering me since the winter has been so cold. So I am not sure if I want to try ice.

Nerve pain is worse than natural childbirth pain. I don't have nerve pain with my MS (thank you God), but I had a roaring case of shingles on my head/face/mouth. The pain cannot be described, except to die would be a relief.

So Sorry for your pain..

Sally - yes nerve pain can be excruciating!
I haven't had it that bad for long periods though- only for a few seconds, then it goes, then comes again (a bit like contractions!) But never for more than a few minutes all up thank God!

But yes, when I had it in my head, I was worried.
If I hadn't of had a clear MRI and CT scan 7 months prior, I would have been at the Dr. asap looking for an annuerism! (sp?)

Unfortunately all those medications like the anti-epileptics, Neurontin, Lyrica, etc., are all prescription only medications. That's probably a good thing though as they all have a long list of side effects, but as a nerve pain sufferer I'm sure you'd be like me...well prepared to put up with some side effects just to get rid of that pain.

Oddly enough, I did get relief from sciatic nerve pain last year, with acupuncture. I agreed to the treatment as a last attempt to help that pain, but I must admit I started with absolutely no faith at all in the needles. I'd tried it once before (many years ago) for something different and they didn't work, so imagine my surprise when my sciatic nerve pain vanished and I was able to walk again with just my cane, and being able to ditch my rollator for a while.

Narcotic pain killers like Morphine and Oxycodone (Endone) rarely work for nerve pain, and only a small percentage of people benefit from their use, but I find a combination of the Endone and Epilum (Sodium Valproate), works well for me.

While doctors are very reluctant to order opiates these days, I'm sure you'd have no trouble getting something like Tegretol or Epilum. Amitriptyline (Endep) is another commonly ordered medication for the successful treatment of nerve pain.

Good luck, and I hope you get some relief soon, but to get any of these medications you will need to see a doctor. Do you have a neurologist you could see? Also, seeing you don't sound happy with the GP you've got, maybe it's time to try and get on the waiting list to see some-one else?

I've had a few different places, and diferent things help, depending. I find magnesium and potassium supplements keep it to a minimum to start with.

Stress is also bad - not enough sleep, too cold, not eating right. All that makes me feel not so good also makes the nerve pain worse. I may not notice for days or a week, but it'll come. Took me a long time to make the connection.

Ice or heat will mix up the signal sometimes, either stop it or make it less painful (but I have to do the ice or heat as soon as it starts or it doesn't seem very effective).

Stretching makes it worse for me. I never excersize when nerves are acting up due to that. Walking is okay, but yoga is out of the question.

Amitriptyline worked well for me.

I know what you mean about the terrible pain with shingles. I had them a few years ago and it's such a deep deep pain like someone is ripping your nerves out bit by bit. It was on my left arm. I still get nerve pain there, but not nearly as bad.

I agree -- it's pretty hard to top nerve pain! Having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the pain doesn't seem to fit the description. Not so much the muscles, but the nerves. I have it all over my body, different areas at a time, however I've had a literal "pain in the butt" for 13 years non-stop. It sure wears you down after awhile. The only med I found that really helps is Carbamazipine (sp?), generic for Tegretol. The only trouble with that is it puts me to sleep so I don't like to take it often.

Hopefully you can get a handle on your pain before the MS symptoms advance, if they do. Being in a wheelchair now, the added pressure on my "bottom" is making things worse. Good luck with your new neuro!