R-Lipoic vs. Gabapentin
 

You're telling ME? :D

Next question: My wife has burning nerve pain radiating into her neck/shoulder from a cervical issue. She's been prescribed gabapentin for when this gets really bad. Problem is that it knocks her out so badly that between the pain & side effects she often misses a day of work from it. We're wondering if R-Lipoic would help her in lieu of gabapentin. We checked side effects & drug interactions, and don't see any problems. Any thoughts/opinions?

Doc

Certainly I'd try it. I believe that some nerves may be just continuing to fire when the stimulus/injury is over. The various supplements change the metabolism in the nerve and quiet it down. Most supplements also lead to healing which the Neurontin does not. Lipoic is really benign. Our bodies' make it you know.

This happened to me with Lidoderms and my meralgia pain...which I had for over 10 yrs! 2 weeks on them, and the nerve turned off finally.

I use very strong magnets for pains that seem localized and mechanically induced. I strained my right shoulder reaching for a cat toy last week (I didn't have my "grabber" handy) and I pulled something in my back/shoulder. I use my magnet on it at night and the next day the pain is gone. Should I extend it too far again, it will start up again. Or a deep breath sometimes does it. 20min is all I need with that mag on it at night, and I am good to go. I have a magnet thread here you know.

I don't use the magnets all the time, but for localized pains like you describe for your wife...they can be very useful. Lumbar/sciatic also. I find them less useful for the PN burning however.

These are the ones I now use:
http://www.amazon.com/Neodymium-Magn...8645982&sr=8-1

They are nice because they are coated (and relatively new), and very cheap. One is enough for most problems if placed correctly. Red side to the skin. I just lie on one reading a book at night. Simple, cheap and effective.

I'm glad the magnets work for you; we've tried them via an alternative therapist, and they just don't for us. Myofascial triggerpoint massage does, though. Diff'rent strokes.

Yes, that was my point/observation/question on the Meds board about it being seemingly counterproductive because of the way Neurontin works.

Doc

Magnets will only work if they are extremely strong (10,000 gauss or above) and placed in the correct spot. Otherwise they are useless. For example, magnetic insoles for the shoes were totally useless for me.

It is rather like success or failure with Lidoderms.
wrong placement with Lidoderm= no relief

I'm glad magnets work for you; we've tried them and they don't work for us. They do not work for everyone or for every medical condition, no matter how strong the magnet, or how carefully placed.

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...gnets-for-pain
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/magnet/magnetsforpain.htm

Doc