Hi everyone, this is my first post on my first day, please don't blast me. I have Had PN from an accident and heavy lead poison for 8 years now and am on Permanent Disability. I was on Norco 10/325 taking 10 a day and was also on oral Morphine at the same time then I detoxed from that. Now I'm at 30mg a day of Methadone. It's been 3 years now an as others, scared to get off it. I was wondering if there is ANYTHING I can take to tolerate the pain that won't be so harsh on my body and not as bad withdrawal symptoms. I'm always terrified that something will happen where I don't have it and have to go turkey from 30mg to 0. Any ideas? Thanks for any help and I look forward to being at this forum.

Hi Bru, welcome.

Could you elucidate what you mean by, "harsh on my body" (e.g. side effects, long-term, dependence, other...)? Aside from that, is the methadone adequately addressing your pain?

There are many kinds of medications and other modalities being used to treat different kinds of pain from peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy-Treatments and Drugs

You can find many of them discussed in greater detail here:

DRUGS (RX) ~~ Used for Treating Peripheral Neuropathy:

and elsewhere in this forum and in the PN Tips, Resources, Supplements & Other Treatments sub-forum.

Medications are always a double-edged sword, and doctors/patients must always weigh the benefits vs. risk/downside. ALL medications have side effects, and MOST of those in the above links (opioids, antiseizure meds, steroids, antidepressants) except topicals can produce dependence and have potential to be harsh in some way or other.

One that may not be mentioned above is cannabidiol (CBD), which is being discussed in this thread:

Cannabis. A fork in the road.

The overriding issue with cannabidiol may be legality in your location.

Another that some people here are using is a pharmacy-compounded topical cream containing gabapentin and ketamine. You can find more information about that in the archives (Use Search facility).

Because everyone (and their neuropathy and how it affects them) is different and the many variables involved, finding the best medication/treatment for any individual can take time, and often trying several/many different treatments or combination of treatments. What works for one—or some—may not work for another.

Doc

Bru I just withdrew off of Morphine Sulfate IR (20mg x 3) a month ago after being on it for 3 years. I tell you man it's like waking up from a coma and I'm just sad that I didn't do it earlier. What stopped me was not knowing that my pain was nerve related, I thought it was my muscles and no doctor told me better. If you do decide to withdraw I recommend doing an internet search for things that will help make it easier such as Immodium.

Like you said these meds are harsh and the real kicker is that when my nerve pain was bad, the opioid only took the edge off, it didn't alleviate it. Not to mention making me want to stay in bed all the time. So it really wasn't worth it for me.

Looks like Doc posted some good info to get you started wrt to alternatives.

I am on MS Contin, time release morphine, 30 mg. x 3. I find it very effective and the main side effect is constipation which has been a lifelong problem for me so I was already taking miralax when I started.
I have been on this for about 3 years. I am more active than I was before taking it, and I sleep better. I have mixed neuropathic and muscular pain as I have hereditary neuropathy with visible muscle atrophy, pinched nerves, and spinal arthritis.
For me, the benefits of the medication far outweigh the drawbacks, but that is a very individual decision.

I'm glad that's working for you Susanne. Personally I much prefer Cymbalta for the muscle pain. I find it on par with the morphine at relieving that but with less side effects. I don't find either work very well for nerve related pain though which is why I'm looking for a compound cream.

I found Cymbalta to cause me to be very tired and interfered with thinking. Also, did nothing to help the neuropathy pain.

I, like Suzanne, am also taking Oxycontin and Percocet for break thru. They have helped me to be able to function; but as Suzanne wrote, this is an individual decision.