Meds to treat PN
 

After my recent visit to CC, my medication regimen looks like this:
Neurontin 600 mg 3x day
Tramadol 50 mg 1tab 4x day prn
Darvocet n-100 (discontinued because it doesn't help. Replaced with tramadol)


My questions:
How long before the tramadol is effective (if it is going to be)
What was/is your experience using Tramadol?

Looking for the good, the bad and the ugly here. Hoping to find some combo that works. Need to keep myself in the workforce for as long as possible. Thanks

I was on tramadol for a very short time in the start of this for me it did little and then my doctors decided no more of those type of meds for me. On neurontin your dose seems low still is your doctor still having you increase it? I had also tried darvocet and it did little for my pain either. Have you tried any other meds like neurontin such as cymbalta,elavil,lyrica,etc? I know trying new meds and dealing with side effects is draining but I hope in the long run you find something to help

Tramadol really helps me with pain, but I only take it very occasionally. I am very sensitive to it, and have to use 1/2 of a 50mg tablet. It will work well into the next day at that low dose for me. A whole one makes me "hallucinate".. I call it "tripping".
But when I do take 1/2 when I have alot of pain it does work for me. Too much walking or too much gardening, sometimes sets me off.

I don't have severe pain from my PN anymore (it was severe when my thyroid was low). I have aggravating discomfort, and sometimes terrible burning. (but since watching the foods that trigger me, the burning has become less).

I still have Lidoderm patches and Salonpas. And Biofreeze. I used the Biofreeze last night in fact.

For aggravating pain I also use Tylenol or Aleve liquigels for that, but not every day either and I rotate them, so I won't get any long term negative side effects, since Tylenol can affect the liver and Aleve (NSAID) can cause heart attacks or stroke.

I've been on Trmadol for over 9 years.
Doc Rx'd 100mg 4x day, but I usually skip the lunchtime dose.
Along with neurontin for 6 yrs, & now Lyrica - it has helped me a lot.
I don't think that I could function without this combination. I know that if I forget my bedtime meds and fall asleep, in the a.m. I feel terrible until I take my a.m. meds and give it about an hour to take effect.
No side effects that I can think of & I use power tools and drive a small truck at work 6 days a week.

Tramadol not much help
 

I think I am going to go out of my mind. The burning pain is terrible. The tramadol doesn't seem to be doing much, much like the Darvocet N-100. Took the tramadol last night before bed, woke up 3 hrs later itching like crazy. No rash, just itching. I don't see the doc at CC until 7/26. Not sure I can hang in there til then. I sure hope this is not what I will feel like for the rest of my life.......this sucks!!

If you have burning pain, that is localized, (and not all over the body) I'd really suggest you use the Biofreeze. 3.5% menthol completely blocks burning for the whole night for me! I use it on my feet and hands.

Are you using a magnesium supplement? Magnesium is a NMDA receptor blocker, and can reduce pain for some people.
Many are low in this nutrient anyway, and just bringing yourself up to RDA levels which would be 200mg a day elemental, can really help. Estimates are 70% of US is at least 1/2 low in this mineral.

Neurontin, in addition to itching, I had Acid Reflux exacerbation.

Herbs that mimick Neurontin and Celebrex. Bacopa and Gotu Kola for quick releif 2x 100mg capsules daily or more if you need. Holy Basil for COX-2 inhibition. Curcumin is an effective pain releiver as well. These herbals are helpful.

Herbals like tramadol are different. I think the California Poppy can be a minor help.

For a more effective herbal Opiate-like kick for pain releif and Opiate withdrawal,Kratam. Kratam, helps addicts over in Thailand kick the addiction and is supposed to offer excellent releif. I am going to order some soon and will update. Here is a page about this:

Kratam:
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternat...on-954513.html

Burning pain........
 

Will stop on my way home and pick up some magnesium. Is there a particular thing I should be looking for or avoiding? Will also look to pick up some gloves. I have biofreeze but hesitated to use it on my hands for fear I will touch my face & eyes. I have used it on my feet and it does help. Thanks for your help!!

Biofreeze sinks in and is gone in about 10 minutes. I've never had problems with having it on my hands.

I rub it into the feet (mostly the tops and ankle) and then rub my hands together. You don't need gobs and gobs, a little goes a long way. It is a gel, and very easy to live with, IMO.

Magnesium oxide is to be avoided at all costs. It is not absorbed.
SlowMag is good, Magonate (not easy to find), magnesium glycinate.
WalMart has generic SlowMag behind the counter. I get mine at Costco, but each Costco is different. The pharmacy there orders the odd ball items, and it would depend on the location if they had it behind the counter. They must sell alot of it where I live.

If you get SlowMag, start at one tablet twice a day. I take mine with food. I couldn't live without this mineral. I started with it 10 yrs ago!
(before the generics came out).

Hey I am sorry about your high pain. At CC I would call everyday to see if they got a cancelation earlier then your appointment. I did that there and got in months in advance. I take magnesium too the glycinate that I get online. I am not sure so this could be so off but what about an anti inflammatory med to ask about? I am not sure that helps with the burning though. Hope you feel better