Ketamine For Neuropathic Pain
 

http://www.neuropathie.nu/research-d...thic-pain.html

Along with my Lidocaine Infusions, my excellent PM Team has had me on oral Ketamine for my horrendous Neurological Hypersensitivity for years. The two combined have kept me going.
The above article is the best I have ever read, covering all the delivery mechanisms available, and citing positive trial evidence in a clear and concise way.
If I wasn't on these meds I would have to be on heavy doses of something like Lyrica.

Dave.

Thanks Dave, there is alot of very interesting info on this site. I love learning what is available in other countries.

I am going to ask my pain doc about oral Ketamine.
D.

p.s. very interesting article on something called PeaPure which is a food additive but is used for neuropathic pain but apparently only in the Netherlands.

About four months after my spinal fusion/laminectomy a former PM doctor had me on Lyrica. I felt like bugs were biting at my legs. Needless to say, I didn't stay on the Lyrica for long.

In addition to spinal pain; PN eventually became a constant source of 24/7 chronic pain (it's been a little over 8 years since the surgery). In order to treat the pain to some degree; I am on a pretty high dose of narcotic meds. I do not know whether Ketamine would alleviate enough of the pain where I might be able to lessen my narcotic meds. Also, not sure side effects of a possible trade off.

Dave, your thoughts/experience would be appreciated.


Gerry

Hi Gerry,
I still have to use Morphine and Tramadol for Musculoskeletal pain from all my injuries, but the Ketamine is superb for Neuropathic pain. My whole nervous system is in a state of hypersensitivity, wearing a pair of trousers 'burns' my legs, holding a cup of tea feels like the kettle has been emptied over my hands. Conversely, freezing weather feels like a million needles stabbed into my skin.
This is all on top of the painful parasthesia I have permanently all over the left side of my head and face from my trigeminal nerve problem.
The Ketamine dials ALL of this down so it is bearable (50%) for 2-3 hours out of 6, then effects wear off gradually. Taking it orally means I can adjust dosage and times within set parameters. I can function, within my limitations, because of Ketamine and Lidocaine. My Neuropathic pain is still high only because my starting levels are stupidly high.
The use of Ketamine for this type of problem is common with my PM Team. I have spoken to numerous fellow patients in the Clinic over the years and I have never heard a negative word.
Trade-offs: Ketamine has been around for Donkey's Years, and is a WHO Essential Drug. It makes me tired - no more so than any of the other pain meds I'm on. There is risk of bladder ulceration/bleeding due to misuse at high doses. It can be an hallucinogen if taken at high doses. It has been shown to be a mood elevator (positive se).
More and more uses are being found for this med. Unfortunately, misuse, and it's hallucinoratory properties lead it to be a Class C drug, soon to be Class B over here. This does nothing but create social stigma due to the few who abuse it.

Dave.

Thanks Dave,
I wasn't sure whether Ketamine might lessen the need for the narcotic meds I am taking. I was hoping it would alleviate the awful constipation caused by narcotic meds. Ketamine does not appear to be the answer.


Gerry

Gerry, Constipation is certainly an issue with opiates. I buy prunes and eat 6-8 every night before I go to bed and that works for me.Obviously you need to adjust to your own body.

Here is a recipe for a jam that you may know about since it has been around for awhile. I copied it just as it was given from an old forum. Personally, I skipped the brown sugar and only use a TBSP or so of lemon. I used to use it but found the plain prunes worked almost as well and just the effort to get all the ingredients became a hassle but it does work very well. I used to spread it on toast.
Diandra

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Yakima Fruit Paste

DOSE: 1-2 tablespoons per day

1 pound prunes
1 pound raisins-pitted
1 pound figs
4 oz senna tea (look in your health food store, it looks like a bunch of leaves)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice

1. Prepare tea-use about 2 1/2 cups boiled water added to tea and steep 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves and add only 1 pint tea to a large pot, then add fruit.
3. Boil fruit and tea for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar & lemon juice. Allow to cool.
5. Use hand mixer or food processor to blend fruit mixture into smooth paste.
6. Place in plastic container and place in freezer. (Paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer).
7. Spoon out what you require each day.

Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon.
Spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.

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Gerry,
You know my cure for constipation was the ridiculously large doses of radiotherapy, but we don't want to go there again - do we? Ha!
Always caring,

Dave.

No,I don't thinks so. But as you know, I am missing an all too important part of anatomy that can make on and off again issues quite the problem.


Gerry

Targin
 

Hi Gerry, can I add my thoughts here, have you heard of Targin? It is narcotic still but with less side effects. It contains oxycodone/naloxone together which is intended to reduce constipation associated with opiate use. The naloxone also targets neuropathic pain. Maybe one to run by your by PM and see if they are making combination drug in high enough dose for your purpose. I think it's fairly new you can get it in Australia on PBS, not sure about US.

Booklover

Thanks,
I looked up Targin on the internet. It appears to be available in European Countries. On the drugs.com site I was able to get only a small amout of info relating to the Oxycodine and the naloxone reduced constipation; but not much else. It would appear this is not available in the U.S.


Gerry