Lamictal vs. tramadol (or both?)
 

Hi everyone. My small fiber neuropathy pain has gotten worse over the past few months and I've decided to try new painkillers (I have tried neurontin and Cymbalta--neither helped me much.)

My neurologist has prescribed 25mg lamictal XR, to be taken every AM, along with 50mg tramadol, to take as needed.

Anyone have experience with either drug for neuropathy pain?

Doc said I should wait at least a week to see if the lamictal works. So, I'm worried that if I do take both meds, I won't know which one is helping. Should I try the tramadol by itself first?

Also, going from no painkillers to two seems extreme. Am I overthinking it? All I know is the pain has gone from a 3-4 to an 8 over the past month or so and I'm dying for some relief!

Thanks, everyone!
APJH

Lamictal is an antiseizure drug... it works by blocking pain signals in the spinal cord.

Tramadol is a centrally acting mu receptor blocker like opiates.
It is considered a "pain pill".

I use tramadol very lightly, and find it effective in small doses.
But people vary. Some people cannot metabolize it in the liver to its active metabolites, so for them it does not work well.

You'll just have to try and see. It can create a dependency in some and be difficult to wean off...but not in everyone.

dear friend
i am unable to
take and choose not
to after my experience
with the latest Lyrica
Lamictal, neurontin and
four others my pain specialist
all meds my daughter is on
as she is epileptic and suffers
seizures daily
after removing the problem area
that left her partially blind
now still on the meds and
a VNS implant

POINT EVA

if you have any
sign of addictive
personality as i do
20+years sobriety
alcohol you should be concerned
in a healthy way
informative as my choice
of drug is a drink
after living one day at a time
without a drink and now
to have to take the meds
mentally robbed me of that
and it doesn't
but that is just me
i'm on just for the mechanical
pain i endure
separate from nerve
having fibromylgia, neuropathy
hands and feet RSD as per
last doctor Darren Lebel
Hospital for Special Surgeries
Orthopedic Surgeon
and Neurologist who after
testing me as per
Dr. Lebel request
confirms again 4th
Neurologist is more than enough
was the one to recommend neurontin
again refusing
many of the drugs that are
prescribed for nerve problems
in my experience recommend
meds that are given to seizure
patients
So, be informed as the body
does go through withdrawal
that should be the doctors
responsibility taking you off them
many do not
one more thing
hospitals are famous giving
out meds and many become
addicted and go into horrible
withdrawal
all the above is my personal
experiences and opinions
in good faith

i made an informed decisions
not to take nerve meds
as i am aware

someone who cares