[chaos]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum. I have been looking around online a bit to see what options people use to manage their nerve pain and buzzing and only see medicine options. I received a 2nd/3rd degree burn to my sacral area on 11/30/11. The burn itself is healing okay, considering, but it's obviously damaged my nerves. I have increasing pain and buzzing on the bottom of my feet since I think March. The past week it's been much worse, and I'd be happy to chop off my legs about mid-thigh. I've been stressed at work, so I'm guessing that's part of the increase, but I don't know for sure obviously. From the nerve maps I've looked at, the s4-s5 areas are mostly affected. It seems when I'm more relaxed or have no pressure on my feet I feel it more. I feel like I'm standing on pop rocks sometimes, other times a tens unit.

I go to the neurologist next week. I *know* he's going to try to give me meds. There was an anti-seizure med that the doc who burned me recommended (yes, got burned during surgery) and it looked awful. I'm very sensitive to drugs.

When I first was burned I was put on Oxycontin. It wasn't a ton, a few a day (I actually used under the rec. dosage), but when I tried to not take one about 10 days out I went into full withdrawal mode with huge shakes and everything. I had to wean off it, which took about 6 weeks. I can see why and how people get addicted to it (awesome high, horribly addictive).

I currently have a prescrip for xanax that I take very rarely, it's a small amount and is just dealing with the PTSD. I also have a prescrip for pot, and my regular doc wants me to use that before the xanax, but obviously I can't do that at work. I've used the xanax at work, but only 1/2 a pill towards the end of the day if I'm totally spazzing out, but haven't tried it for this yet (should I?).

Too much ibuprofen will upset my stomach. Most things I take for pain either barely work if at all (like valium, doesn't do a thing), or they make me sick (ultram was horrible).

From what I've read, it's probable the pain will get worse. Hopefully not, but I have to be a realist with this. Expect the worst and hope for the best. Has anybody here ever dealt with the nerve damage caused by a burn?

Is there anything I can do on my own to help this? I'd love to not have to work and be able to destress, take the time to heal mentally, but I don't have that privilege. I'm the breadwinner and my husband is a SAHD (of a very difficult child). I find exercising hard because of joint issues. It's only gotten worse with the injury. I do not have access to a pool. I do not have much money either, although some doc appts have been covered because my lawyer has made arrangement to be paid after the settlement comes through. I'm done being poked and prodded as well, and don't look forward to going to see the neurologist next week.

[Susanne C.]

There will be better advice coming, I am sure, but I wanted to offer my sympathy for what you are going through. It sounds horrific, but it also sounds like you may be able to recover, at least partially, or perhaps not progress.
While it may seem hard to believe, chronic pain sometimes has a way of becoming more bearable over time as you learn how to live with it. Also, there are many more medications than OxyContin that you may be able to tolerate.

Neurontin, or Gabapentin is the medicine I believe that you are trying to avoid. It is not always effective, but on the other hand some people are able to take it without experiencing side effects. I have not had a problem with it and it does control the zapping and burning to some degree. On the other hand it does nothing for the sharp or crushing pains. I take oxycodone for those, as needed.
If you need pain medicine to function then you need pain medicine. That is a medical necessity like antibiotics or anything else. Do not stigmatize yourself.

As for working and dealing with your condition, it is incredibly important that you treat yourself as well as possible and get as much rest as you are able. I am sure that will be difficult, but it will pay off. You are under enormous stress and it will affect your pain levels.

Your doctors should be bending over backwards to help you under the circumstances.

[Sallysblooms]

I am sorry for what you have gone through. Maybe you can find a good integrative MD. Someone that knows how to work to heal the nerves with diet and supplements. There is a lot of information about supplements that will give the nerves a great chance to heal. I hope you can find a good doctor.

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

I wonder about Lidoderm patches?

They cannot be applied to skin that is damaged or open.

But you could try them just above the burn on intact skin along the spine. Might work.

Once the skin is closed over the burn, you could apply them there.

Some of the posters at our RSD forum get Lidocaine IV infusions.
One of our posters here, Malawigirl gets them too. Typically you have to be in a hospital for them. And they don't work for everyone. But when they do work, there can be substantial relief. This wears off over days, or weeks, and then is redone. I think alot depends on what kind of damage you have.

You can ask your doctor about it.

[chaos]

Oh, I have no stigma or fear of taking pain meds. I've been in chronic pain for a decade already due to issues with pregnancy. It's all about knowing what my body can and can't deal with. I also have taken Wellbutrin for years because of the pain induced depression, and upped my dosage when this all happened. I'm just not good with meds in my stomach, my body will revolt on me at times. And I don't want to take oxycodone again unless it's a one off (like I slammed my hand in the door, something super temp) because I got addicted FAST. My doc didn't believe me when I told him about it. Acted like that much wouldn't cause an addiction, but it sure as hell did.

Yeah, Gabapentin was what was recommended. I looked it up and it didn't look good to me at all, but again, I have had so much stuff pushed on me that I'm resistant to take more. I HATE pills.

I guess I want to be able to go to the doc next week and say "well I know you want me to do x, but there are options y and z too".

[Kitt]

Just curious as to what type of chemical gave you these burns? I didn't see where you might have said. Thanks.

[chaos]

It was undiluted acetic acid that was applied during a Leep procedure. I was getting endometriosis cut out at the same time and was knocked out. I was burned from my cervix, out, down and it pooled at the tailbone.

[Kitt]

Wow! I had the Leep procedure once and thank goodness that didn't happen to me. I was not knocked out though. I remember that procedure well and I would never, ever want another one. I had an awful gynecologist who did it and he should have retired long before that. That procedure wouldn't be happening to me again at this time anyway.

[mrsD]

Yes, ditto that awful WOW WOW... how terrible. What a nightmare! I hope you have a good attorney!

So you have INTERNAL damage! No telling how this will resolve.
I'd still try the Lidoderms on the outside sacral area. They may block the pain signals going to the spine. If you have intact skin on the outside, that is.

My thoughts are with you!

[chaos]

Yes, I have a good attorney Saw the plastic surgeon last week and while he told me as a patient the scar is looking decent, as a doctor to a lawyer, he can't do anything about it to make it better and can't say it'll get better, it could get worse. But all the docs so far say I'm healing well.

The internal burn wasn't as horrible as where the acid pooled at the tailbone was because it sat there longer. There are scar issues I'm dealing with too, but that's another forum, another doc.

I'll look up the lidoderms stuff. Thanks!