Hi my name is Jess and I live in charlotte, NC. This summer has been hell.
I started out with a ruptured cyst, which aggravated my GI issues and had an inflamed and spastic colon, but the worst part is a constant burning pain I am having in the vaginal/pelvic area. I have been put on 600mg of Nuerontin by my nuerologist, and I also take Lexapro, only 5 mg.
Can this low dosage help with burning pain? Would I be better off asking to tirate the Nuerontin faster? Initially it was my GI doc that put me on Lexapro to help with IBs and the brain gut connection, so I am wondering if I would be better to go with Elavil for nerve pain. I hate this constant burning, and I can't sit down without pain. I have had to take off work for months as I am a guitar and piano teacher and i have to sit.
I know some patience is needed, but my Nuero wants me to take 600mgs for 4 weeks without titrating, I think I need to be increased a bit faster.
Thoughts?

thank you .

pelvic pain? Or vaginal pain?

The vaginal pain called vulvodynia is sometimes relieved by eating a low oxalate diet.

The other internal pain is often treated the same way as fibromyalgia, and is considered by doctors to be similar.

Hence the Neurontin and antidepressant.
A visit to the fibro board here may be helpful.

What type of cyst did you have? Was it a pilonidal one?
Those are very painful, sometimes even after removal.

It is vaginal nerve pain, and it is pudendal nueralgia. I have read the vulvodynia and PN are treated with the same meds.. usually an anticonvulsant and antidepressant. Nerves in the pelvic and vaginal area causing burning pain. I don't know what kind of cyst it was but it may have caused some of these problems.
I take Nuerontin, but just started as I needed a nerve blocker. I just wondered if I should ask about Elavil for more nerve blocking and getting rid or lessening of the burning.

http://www.med-owl.com/health/Vulvod...ates-Diet.html

http://www.branwen.com/rowan/oxalate.htm

People who have used antibiotics heavily in the past, lose some beneficial bacteria in the bowel that complex oxalate from our diet. When oxalates increase, then kidney stones increase,
and other things happen, it is believed, like vulvodynia.

The medications you are on are typically used for neuropathies, and fibro type symptoms. Some doctors believe that some neuropathies are centrally mediated in the brain...hence the antidepressants. The Neurontin is for peripheral pain issues.
Vulvodynia has been grouped with Fibromyalgia in some
therapeutic handbooks. Whether that is really accurate is not proven yet.

Have you tried any physical therapy.

I imagine that with the prudenal neuralgia that all the surrounding muscles are spasmed in that area. And then nerves spasm they tighten up around the nerve and then crush the nerves even further causing pain and more burning.

Might be worth trying to find a PT that specializes in pelvic floor exercises or pelvic dysfunction to see if they can help get that area quieted down.

Thank you . I will look into the PT, as I am ready to look at anything that can help this constant burning. Thank you again.

Hi,
I am new to this chat. I was diagnosed with Vuvodynia October 2007 by Iowa City Vulvodynia clinic. They were no real help.
Recently I joined the NVA and they are wonderful.
I found Dr. Meltzer through them in NorthBrook Il. He found a rare yeast and helped me get rid of it. I now have neuropathic pain. He told me to find a pain clinic with a neuropathic doctor who could give me a pudental nerve block. I have had 3 so far. The first two were not given into the pudental nerve correctly. Yesterday's block got to the vulva area and has lessened the pain a little and I will have another next week.
I use an ice pack on the vulva area a lot which is annoying.
I tried neurotin before and went off of it for my hysterectomy in Feb 2008.
I am going to try amitripilyn starting at 25mg tonight and may retry neurotin later. Hope I am helpful
lbayless

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

The condition you have sounds just horrid. Nerve pain anywhere is hard to bear, and I for one can vouch for that.

I have nerve pain, and so does my husband. His is in his back and due to multiple protruding discs. He tried Amytriptalline but unfortunately didn't find it helpful. He now takes one of the anti-epileptic medications just as I do, and we've both found them to be reasonable effective for our nerve pains.

I can imagine that ice packs would give you relief, but also understand that large packs would soon become bothersome. As a nurse I can remember cutting the fingers off gloves, filling them with water and freezing them. These made mini ice packs to be used "down there". If worn with a pad underneath, apparently were not that uncomfortable.

Worth giving it a try anyway.

I do hope you get relief from the Amitryptalline. As Neurontin wasn't successful, I was wondering if you ever tried Lyrica?

I have had PNE for almost 4 years. I contacted a dr in France who referred e to MN. The clinic is MAPS in Mnneapolis. The dr name is Antolak I think is the spelling. I had my first injection a month ago and had over half a month of pain relief. I had my second one today and am expecting good results. I will have the 3rd on in April. Believe me this has been my answer. Phone number for the clinic is 1=763-537=6000. This is best I have felt in years. MY hubby says I am like a new person. Good luck. Sandi

Good Luck to you ! That is wonderful. I am very familiar with the drs for PNE as I belong to pudendalinfo.com as well,, and was at a point last year I thought I was going to have surgery. I have my PN stemming from my pelvic floor so I have been going to physical therapy and have improved since last year. That relaxation techniques, dilators and yasmin birth control to help with the extreme burning i used to get with the period and PN and there is improvement. Still plugging along, and I also take 2700mg of Neurontin and 35 of Elavil which works for me. I wish you continued health in dealing with the PNE.
jess