Been a while
 

I have had PN in my feet for almost 10 years. I have controlled it, with the help of many of the veterans on this board, with Lyrica and Tramadol. I encourage anyone who is struggling to consider this cocktail as a treatment plan that has been very successful for me. Hi to all.:wink:

I am on gabapentin and Tramadol. I, too, find better pain relief with this cocktail. I also avail myself of lidoderm patches.

I am on nothing since I can't metabolize drugs reasonably. I am doing fine. I still have issues, but, all in all, it's tolerable right now.

I underwent spinal cord stimulator trial in July and had the implant in August. The surgery was slow recovery with two surgical sites but I have to say I am 80% better, was off gabapentin in October! Lost 25lbs in doing that too. I still have days where nothing in the world makes it go away when I overdo it, but by the next day I am back at it. Wearing tennis shoes for the first time in nine years, that was my big goal-walk without pain!
I still have my lower spine problems but I can stand/sit/walk for longer. MY only regret is taking four years to tell the Doc yes to the trial, might have saved me the thousands I am going to have to put in my mouth to save my teeth. Less pills in my life and I Know this isn't for everybody but it worked for me, I guess that is why I haven't been around much...too busy making up for lost time! Happy New Year Everybody!

Is anyone using Gabapentin and/or Tramadol have any problems with unwanted weight gain? Secondly, have you had any suicidal thoughts while on this protocol?

I have tried Lidoderm patches with no benefit.

@donsabi

Gabapentin has a warning about suicidal thoughts.
http://www.drugs.com/gabapentin.html

Also --where do you apply your Lidoderms? And where exactly is your pain?

Application site can make a huge difference in response.

Weight gain--
 

--often due to the twin mechanisms of fluid retention and carbohydrate craving, is a fairly common and well-documented side effect of Gabapentin.

This effect is common with many of the anti-epileptic medications, with the interesting exception of Topomax, which is more often associated with weight loss.

The common side effects are listed in the insert given with Gabapentin/Neurontin prescriptions:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsa...129s027lbl.pdf

MrsD

I put the Lidoderm patch directly on the pain sight that was mainly the ball of my foot.

glenntaj,

I am aware of the side effects stated by the manufacture of these meds. I was asking for the personal experiences from those actually taking the meds mentioned.
If we are to believe all the side effect in the C.Y.O.A. statement provided by the pharmaceutical companies then we might as well sum it up in one statement, "the sky is falling," and simply not take those medications.

Well--
 

--I certainly gained weight on gabapentin--about 10-15 pounds--and noticed I craved a lot of cake. It almost seemed as if my body was getting ready to hibernate for the winter.

It's taken me quite a while to get rid of most of that weight, and I have now been completely off of the med for almost five years.

I put 1/2 patch on the instep of the foot because that is where the nerves are that feed the foot. I have sesamoiditis in both feet in the balls of the feet and where I place my patch results in total numbing and relief. I have also put a 1/2 patch around the ankle just above the inner ankle bone...this is where the major nerve enters the foot.

http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...e-Anatomy.html
more detail at this link:
http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...-the-Foot.html


The skin on the bottom of the foot is very thick, and penetration of the lidocaine in the patches will not be good there.

When used on the top of the foot, coverage is so good, you may find walking difficult as the numbness can be bothersome.
Hence when I need the patches on the foot, I put them on at night and remove in the daytime. The skin on the top of the foot is very thin, and the nerves very close to the surface. You can tap your foot with a hard object and get zings in those nerves,
which is calls Tinel's sign. Alot of positive Tinel's suggests entrapment issues.

Check the website I gave you more thoroughly if you want.
Metatarsalgia
http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...Foot-Pain.html

This sublink shows the various mechanical causes of foot pain in the area you seem to have.