Hi Steff:

I am no doc, but I do see from the website below that the prolotherapy is supposed to work by causing inflammation. If it is indeed responsible for your problems, does your doctor have you on any anti-inflammatories?

I also noticed that sometimes they make the solution stronger, therefore causing a more intense inflammatory response. Do you remember if this was done in your case? Still, though it would seem if there is any connection between this therapy and the treatment, that anti-inflammatories would be something you might want to discuss with your doctor, since the site specifically mentions anti-inflammatories.

Over the counter anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, etc.) probably would not do much for you, with the intensity of pain you are describing. Usually, docs start out with a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and see if you respond to that before moving on to more potent drugs. I don't even know what non-steroidal anti-inflammatories they are starting with these days.

At first, I was on Relafen, Feldane, Indocin (Personally, I would stay away from that one.) Maybe some of the nurses on here might know which ones are now being used. Prednisone (a steroid) is a very potent anti-inflammatory. Sometimes a Dose Pak (steroids) can be prescribed to see if your condition responds to steroids.

While I do not promote Prednisone, because of its long term side effects, I have responded to this, although I wish I did not have to take it. If inflammation is a key, then it may well help you. A short course of it may help and not put you in a situation, like me, where you are unable quit taking it, because your body depends on it, so to speak. Long term is a different story...

http://www.prolonews.com/how_to_opti...olotherapy.htm

I was curious about one thing. Is the doc who treated you with these, the same one who is treating your for PN? Also, I would think the records of the injecting doc would reflect specifically which solution was injected in each of these treatments... Have you asked for copies of records?

Cathie

answer
 

took anti-inflamatories of all the kind you said-3 months after the injections when i could see that this was not going away and, at first, i didnt know what was going on. i was so depressed that this had happened so wrong, that i stayed home and did not even go to the doc. THE PROLO DOC SAID THIS CANNOT HAPPEN-BUT IT DID, DIDNT IT!
OTHER DOCS SAID I NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THESE WITH MY HSTORY
I TRUSTED AND WAS LITERALLY BURNED
my neuro doesnt care was injected then-ths is now he says=it has been 16 months-he thinks i was a fool to have tried this. the web site and all the info and the two docs i talked to all were so convincing are they? well i am crippled now-cried for two hours in burnng agony today alone. never left the house.thanks for the suggestions-
anymore?
steff

and the prolo doc-he still says it is not neuropathy, and he did nothing wrong, where three other docs say absolutely
meanwhile i am burning in a wheelchair!!!
this is not gong away-if it was going to go away, it would have slowly been doing that by now. if anything it is getting worse.
i am desperate.. this is unbearable-it is not regular p&n. it is intractable pain.
steff

Is anyone giving you anything to help with your pain? Can you remember what medications have been prescribed? Anything help at all?

What kind of history are they referring to when they say you should never have tried these with your history? Do you have an autoimmune disorder?

I too suffer from a lot of burning pain. Your doctor must work with you to find something to relieve it, or you must find a doctor who is willing to do so.... The universities you mentioned-is one or more known for work with neurological disorders? This is where I would start and if possible, ask your regular neurologist for an immediate referral, since this may get you an earlier appointment.

Has anyone reading this heard of others who have had adverse reactions to this kind of therapy? If so, can you please provide some details or suggestions on what might help?

Cathie

Steff, it would be easier to help if you would tell us what you have already tried for pain. Fentanyl patches, Lyrica. methadone, what???????

background
 

I had multiple foot surgeries, then fibro, possible nerve or central pain. was getting older, had more pain in feet tried the shots on my own with no advice from reg docs-idiot me-
16 mo. later-
have tried lyrica-broke out rash-
neurontin-throat choke-
now they want to give me cymbalta-but i read so many bad things about it that i am afraid-
also gave me the fentynal patch-but it said you could stop breathing if you were not already on strong opiods-
i am only taking one or two vicodin a day (just numbs the mind)
it was a scary jump-doc said she had no idea how it would affect me- so i dont wake up? oh wait-maybe that would be better!
have you read the warning label on that patch -dont look at it sideways, laughing is not aloud, get a tan in a coffin-i am joking here-but you get the picture
other cymbalta doc gave tramadol to take with the cymbalta-
pharmacist says absolutely not to combine those drugs as you can get seretonin syndrome, so i havent started either as i was suppose to start the cymbalta first-have you read about that drug? lst doc said it doesnt help that many people. these are a pain doc and a neuro-the neuro says no withdrawal from the cymbalta-why are so many people saying different?
dont know which one to trust since neither seem to agree and both have precribe incorrectly.
now i need to figure out who to go to that is covered that i can trust and i am frozen with doubt and fear at making another mistake-
been on the attidepressants years ago and they didnt do a thing- trying to get courage to take the cymbalta-but need a buddy here with me so i dont freak out (suicide warnings on box-and i am pretty depressed)
so am i crazy now -yes! ive got myself into a corner i know-
i need pain relief of some kind-what is the trade off? lyrica if i could have continued helped a little, but i couldnt take it during the day and think straight and gained lots of weight and became prediabetic and high chol.
what if i become crazy when i take the cymbalta and hurt myself or need to go to the hospital? maybe i should go sit in the hospital and take it. i have thought of doing that. and will it be the miracle cure? i doubt that.
so this is where i am at with drugs and my mind-
earlier in my life i was tried on many things for the fibro and none helped with pain and then i got addicted to zanax and the withdrawal was going to hell and back.
sorry to ramble- i think i said it all
stephanie

Steff,
I was reading here and wondered if you had read anything about RSD?

burning pain, swelling , skin changes, rashes are just a few sx of it.

It can come about from any injury even a surgery or a minor bump at times.

it just might be something you want to read a bit about.

RSD pics- http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=16167

useful links- http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=247

main RSD forum - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

rsd no
 

did that for the rsd-dont have it-skin and temp are fine, the only swelling is the tissue made from the prolotherapy injection or the irritation built up of tissue reaction to it , not real swelling.
thanks though
steff

Steff I have pn in my legs but my treatment is like the treatment for rsd that means I have to keep mobile. I don't have most of the rsd symptoms either. I'm not saying that is you but I do know if its is you really need to get aggressive in treatment. As for Cymbalta. I have had very severe depression/anxiety in the past where I did end up inpatient and hospitals and I take cymbalta and didn't have any issues with suicidel from that med just the nausea. I understand and hear your fear but it may help and cymbalta is for depression too. Could you stay at a family or friends while starting it? It may not be a miracle cure but you can't give up. Trust me I have those moments and when the pain is severe its hard to see hope. Ask them here I was a crying wreck and still have my days. I know for me having my mom get docs and treatment help for me through those hopeless times was so important. I hope you stay safe. I know how hard it is but you have to think too of the loved ones in your life. I have many days that just thoughts of my mom get me through. Sending thoughts and wishes and if you want an email buddy I'm here.

Steff have you thought about going to a psychiatrist? He could give you good advice about the Cymbalta, annswer your questions, and monitor your reaction to it. You seem to have a fair amount of depression and anxiety there (understandable). I know it gets frustrating going to all the appointments, but persistance can pay off. All medicines can have side effects, but..... our only alternative is to not take anything that might help us. I hope you are able to find something that helps you. I was without meds for over a year and it was awful. I am so sorry for you.