I didn't check through the archives to see if this info was posted earlier but if so I apologize for the unnecessary clutter and redundancy. I ran across this article from late 2006 for ongoing work on a completely new and previously unrecognized mechanism for neuropathic pain. Vc1.1, also known as ACV1, was found by University of Melbourne scientist Prof Bruce Livett and is being developed by an Australian company, Metabolic, and is undergoing trials in human patients.

The compound is found in the venom of cone snails such as Conus regius, which measures up to three inches in length and lives from Georgia southward along Central America to Brazil’s central coast; and the similarly sized Conus victoriae, which lives off Australia. Cone snails are among the deadliest species on earth, their venoms are typically at least 1000x deadlier than a cobra.

I realize that this doesn't help anyone's current struggles with PN including my own, but I think the research is really interesting and perhaps will lead to future drug(s)specifically targeted for PN and other types of neuropathic pain.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected.../ecsnail15.xml

Alkymst

Thanks for sharing this find Alkymst, sounds very promising for future relief of PN & so many other awfull disabling diseases out there that are not helped that much with the current meds that are available presently.

Brian

Is already a snail venom product on the market here.

It is called Prialt. It has to be administered via pump to the spinal cord.

It is not working well, since the side effects can be very severe for some.
It took a long time to come to market.

This thread has one patient's experience:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=14801

I don't know if my memory serves me right Mrs D, but I seem to recall that snake venom has tried to be used as a pain killer for various reasons over the recent years (and I'm sure, in the distant past -too).
Other than the obvious use, anti-veneem (sp?) used to combat snakebite,
I don't think it has had much wide acclaim - or usage.

Sorry didn't mean to post something that was not useful - my error.
Alkymst

it is useful informaton alkymst.

it may not work for everyone, but it might be just what somebody needs. and for those that is is working for...i'm sure they are very thankful.

maybe the more it is talked about, there will be further testing and tweaking.