[Aussie99]

Initially I was on neurontin but that did not work for me at all. I then was put on the tryciclic but had to stop it because of extrapyrimidal symptoms I was having such as uncontrollabe jaw contractions, and dytonia in my foot. Scared to death I weaned myself off of it.

For a long time now I have thought I have been being strong because I don't take regular pain meds. But all I have managed to do is cause myself to be in pain all the time now. I think this and the lack of sleep caused my fibro. I don't want to be in pain anymore.

My problem is because of a really bad back, I can't take something that will make me gain weight, as I have fought tooth and nail to take the kilos off.

Now I know there are meds that people take on occasion,and then meds that need to build up in your blood. Can anyone advise me of a pain med that helps neuropathic pain that doesn't cause weight gain or lethargy?

I would greatly appreciate this as I see my neuro very soon.

Thank you

[Silverlady]

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...7&postcount=13

Billye

[Aussie99]

I am actually hoping that someone who has tried one of the meds and has had success,or maybe someone knows which ones don't have the side-effect of lethargy and weight gain? Maybe from personal experience?

What has worked... what to stay away from?

Thank you

[Brian]

Hi Aussie, i found the best one for me were Tramadol Slow Release, initialy my doc had me on 1 x 200 mg + 1 x 100 mg taken twice a day [600 mg] as they last for 12hours, apparently here and the US the normal limit is only 200 mg x 2 a day [400 mg] but i guess i was lucky with my doc.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a695011.html

Like all drugs there is possible side affects, depends on the individual but I had none of the side affects mentioned above though from Tramadol SR , no brain fog, i was able to still loose weight on them, nothing at all noticeable to me.
I think you can also get them in 50 mg tabs but they only last i think for about 4 hours, if your interested your doc may have some sample packs to try before you buy.
My local doc was getting " government authority " to write out scripts for " 3 packs " for the price of one.
Brian

[daniella]

I have been on neurontin,lyrica,elavil,cymbalta which is current,tramadol not slow release,lidocaine patch,and vicadin but not for months. I have a hard time with meds doing what there suppose to. In the past I have been on many meds for depression,anxiety,and sleep but they never do what intended but give me side effects so I don't know if I am a good example. For me maybe cause I was not on them for extended period I didn't notice weight gain. I know the neurontin and lyrica are known for that. I think Cymbalta is not known for weight gain. When I first started it I was extremly nauses but didn't throw up but some people I have heard do. The elavil I was on for awhile but didn't see very much relief and did not help with sleep. I am still in a lot of pain but am not sure if the progress I have made is from the help of Cymbalta. I'm now up to 20 minute walks and out of bed doing daily activities where as months ago I was in bed for almost all day and crying through vicadin in pain barely able to walk to the bathroom. I know a girl at the clinic I was at was having a hard time with meds and weight gain. They also were going to try her on oh I forgot the name its more for migranes though so don't know if it would help for back. I'm sorry I can't remember someone else may know though. Hang in there.

[dagm131]

I don't know exactly where your pain is coming from would give me a better idea of what kind of med. you need. good luck and i will try and look you up again to see if you told us exactly where the pain is origanating.

[Endinday]

I have been on neurontin and now on lyrica and haven't put on weight. I wouldn't know if it is due to the product itself or predisposition to weight gain when it comes to medication.

I agree with dagm131, what is-are the cause of your pain would help in giving or sharing our own experience and telling you what has helped us.

Will look back on your post again when you will have given us more details.
Till then, wishing you a good night sleep.

[Aussie99]

If I were to where a patch I would need one that was at least 167cm tall, as I have pain all over body (except hair).

I will try to look up some of the meds mentioned on the Rx.

[DanP]

Aussie99 - you don't need a huge patch - the medication is absorbed through your skin into your blood stream. I've been using the Duragesic Patch (now the Fentanyl Transdermal System which is the generic Duragesic Patch) for over 5 years with great pain relief. I am now using 1 100 strength patch and 1 25 strength patch for a total of 125 strength changing them every 2 days. On the Mankowski Pain Scale my pain was at the 7 to 9.5 range and it's now roughly a 2 to 4 - a substantial relief.
The only side effect I have is constipation but that is controlled by a stoof softner and mild laxitive so I really don't have a problem with it.

I've had PN and it's horrific pain for over 20 years and tried all the stuff the Neuros were prescribing. I've even tried Lyrica and it didn't help me at all. So, I am staying with the Fentanyl Transdermal System until something better comes along (I was hoping that Lyrica might be the magic bullet). Maybe stem cell reseach, if the powers that be allow it to continue full steam ahead, will come up with something. We can always hope.

Good luck to you and maybe you need to try the Fentanyl Transdermal System patches (these are a little cheaper than Duragesic). If you do, give them a fair trial. Start low and titrate upward until sufficient relief is attained. Outside of constipation I have never had any kind of side effect even though Fentanyl is a strong opiate. I have never felt high or zonked out even though this is a narcotic medication but I presume this is because it's absorbed so slowly into the blood stream.

[MelodyL]

Hi Dan:

You sound exactly like my husband (6 years ago). He went up 125 of the patch (in lower dosages it was every two days), but at 125 it was every 3 days. He took vicodin for breakthrough. He told me recently, "Melody if it werent for that patch, I was considering suicide". I felt so bad. He was on the patch for almost 2 and one half years.

But thankfully, because he saw the chiropractor/neurologist, it is now 6 or so years later and he is on no pain meds whatsoever. He does the IVIG thing monthly. He considers himself lucky in this respect. So do I.

Take care,
Melody