I am now in my second pain clinic for my symptoms. I have all the usual: numbness, spacticity, burning, sharp, stabbing, paresthesias, itching, cramping, aching, and shooting electric-shock type pain, mostly in my feet, occasionally in my hands, with a "hug" thrown in now and then. While my pain doc has referred me for energy medicine, PT, and bio-feedback, even acupuncture . . . it seems his personal approach is to try every drug on the market that has ever been used for neuro pain.

Is this the norm?

First it was gabapentin, but the side effects for me were non-negotiable.
Then it was tegretol, caused immediate skin issues.
Then it was baclofen, no benefits but caused issues with other health conditions.
The last one was Keppra, which I discontinued because of personality changes, irritability, and extreme lethargy.

All of them seem to mess with my GI system, and when you only have half of that left, you don't want to mess with it!

Is this what pain clinics are all about? Am I wrong to be suspect of the oral meds route, when I have a gut to take care of? Do I have to try them all?