I was put on something called Soma? Carasopradal I think...Those we called Brain killers instead of Pain KillersThey got me messed up & did nothing to control the pain. I was offered phentenal patch, not sure that is spelled correctly, but my research scared me. I don't want to be dysfunctional. For me, the Percs work the best. Unfortunately I have learned to plan my life around them. They are not the magic pill but I Can manage to get normal things done most days.

I do hope your Pain Clinic will work with you to get you the best relief possible. I have been so Blessed to have found mine! Good luck on the 15th! Let me know how you made out?

I can also relate to what you said about the husband & kids, Yes it does affect them, but if you are open with them & share some of the pain you are in, they will know what is helping you...Don't be afraid of scaring them away. I made that mistake at first. THEY turned out to be my biggest strength in so many unexpected ways!

But I take Lyrica, tramadol, and oxycodone. As a probation officer, I always feel uncomfortable refilling the last of those meds. But....reality is, after trying to wean myself off different combinations of this cocktail, I have decided that I will continue to take these three meds. They have improved my pain level tremendously. I'm able to go for walks, exercise on my elliptical machine, and be much more positive with those around me. I can't answer as to why a narcotic would have a positive effect on, what really is a nerve disorder. You go to the pharmacy to refill this drug, and the looks that you get are very eye-awakening. You'd think that you are the next drug addict to get his hillbilly heroin. I have a client on methadone. He is recovering from heroin addiction. He tells me the horrible side effects that he gets when he doesn't get his daily dose. He says that it is worse than heroine. I can sympathize somewhat with him when I have run out of my script, and the Twin Cities had completely run out of Oxycodone two weeks ago. The pharmacists really had no sympathy for those that were on this meds. Well...I'm rambling here...but it is one thing to have a difficult disease like PN, and then deal with the issues surrounding narcotic medications.

WOW!!!! LMAO dude! I laugh because I take Methadone for my SFN and since I started to get those "looks", I started to say its for my SFN, even though the pharmacist didn't ask me!

Jay

They look at you like you're either in the final stages of cancer, or your garden variety drug addict! I don't care anymore. The pharmacist knows me better than my wife! I start walking toward the pharmacy, and he immediately looks for my grocery list of drug refills. 10 years ago, the only pill I ever took was aspirin. Now, my medicine cabinet looks like the pharmacy at Walgreens!

Methadone is actually the better choice for PN pain.
It is a NMDA antagonist. The NMDA receptors are responsible for pain transmission.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone

Methadone is less abuseable, and does not cause the euphoria that other opiates do.

Its downside is that for people susceptible to long QT syndrome it can be dangerous. QT is a heart rhythm problem. It can be induced by some drugs, genetics and/or dehydration with low potassium and magnesium. So it should be monitored carefully and not increased suddenly.
No pharmacist who knows about drugs should give you any "looks" or hassles about methadone.
Methadone is the only opiate that causes this side effect.

my thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1120.html
post #4

Jakatak

That is exactly what I am talking about. After I informed my doctor that tramadol is not working for me his statements listed below was in insult. Advil or Motrin for pain from neuropathy??? Because he is worried about long term addication use??? So suffer through the pain ..... time for new doctor bad thing he is suppose to be the best in neuropathy and neuromuscalar diseases.

03/09/2009 14:12 Donofrio, Peter D: "You do not have many options at this point. You are presently taking the maximum dose of Neurontin and tramadol. You could increase the amitriptyline to 150 mg per night (3 tabs po qhs), but this is also a very large dose. You could add Advil or Motrin to your pain regimen. You could take 2-3 tabs po 4 times per day as needed for pain." P Donofrio

03/10/2009 08:36 Donofrio, Peter D: The next best choice would be acetominophen 2 tabs 325mg each four times per day. I would prefer not to advance you to a narcotic because of long term addiction issue. P Donofrio

I was suggested methadone as well but there was concern for me with my other health issues but have heard the benefits others have recieved too. That angers me about people generalizing especially in the health care field. You have to focus on this giving you better quality of life. Anyhow I have had little success with meds and why I need to do a treatment. I know that I think Dan excuse me if I am wrong is on fentnyl and has had great results. He told me his story and it was very hopeful.

Beer has worked the best and vodka is a great! increases the burning at first but then its completely gone but that was what caused my PN in the first place so now I take Lyrica 300 mg although I still have the occasional drink on weekends, no way IM stopping my enjoyment of life altogether and whatever will be will be I dont worry anymore

I had neuropathy before I found out I was diabetic, probably was diabetic with high BS for a few years. I take 3600mg Gabapentin and 90mg Cymbalta. It doesnt totally take away the pain but it is manageable most of the time. I have sensory/motor neuropathy and have lost ankle stability on my left side. I am being fitted for an AFO next week and walk with a cane now.

The cymbalta was added after I hit 3600mg of the Gabapentin with only temporary relief of pain. It helps my mood which is good, helps me keep going day to day and seems to offer some more extended pain relief throughout the day. I find if I take the cymbalta that if I dont hit my gabapentin dose right on the hour, I still am ok.

I think I am starting to have some memory issues, but that may also be sleep related. The gabapentin makes me weak and tired sometimes, especially if I take ibuprofen for muscle pain from overexertion.

As soon as I get my AFO I am going to start getting back into doing some regular excercise. 30 min a day of even light excercise does help with the pain for me.

"I am being fitted for an AFO next week and walk with a cane now."

Forgive my ignorance but what is an AFO? Thanks.