My neuropathy in my feet is severe. What can I do to ease my pain?
Peripheral Neuropathy - If gabapentin or pregabalin don't work, what can I do?
Question posted by Tuttle27 on 17 July 2023
Last updated on 5 September 2023
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5 Answers
This excerpt from Harvard Medical School/Harvard Health Publishing may give you something to discuss with your doctor:
"Did you know that antidepressant medications are often prescribed for people without depression?
It’s true. Antidepressants are frequently prescribed for chronic pain, especially pain related to nerve disease (called neuropathic pain), chronic low back or neck pain, and certain types of arthritis."
Wildcat
In fact, some guidelines for the treatment of chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis) include antidepressants. One antidepressant in particular, duloxetine (Cymbalta), is FDA-approved for these conditions.
Cymbalta made me suicidal after I took it for my pain. Once I got off the medication I returned to my old self. The best treatment for me is Osteopathic adjustments and physical therapy with a therapist who is familiar with the disease. Also, finding excercises that didn't increase my pain. My health got really bad for a while because I gave up on exercising because of the pain. I found avoiding too much of repetitive exercise and alternating reps helped me a lot.
I find that keeping my feet still - rather than tapping them - helps a lot with the pins and needles, pain problem,.
My pain management doctor put me on Cymbalta (now generic) more than 20 years ago. That is the best thing I've found so far for my horrible neuropathy in my feet from chemo. She has since added Lyrica and Amitriptyline at night for sleep. Couldn't survive without these. Before Cymbalta, I'd either drink at night for relief (didn't work but at least I didn't care!) or else I'd sit and cry. My feet still feel like bee stings at times, but Cymbalta really works for me. I ran out once and the pain was back within 2 days. Good luck finding something that helps.
Cymbalta made me suicidal after I took it for my pain. Once I got off the medication I returned to my old self. The best treatment for me is Osteopathic adjustments and physical therapy with a therapist who is familiar with the disease. Also, finding excercises that didn't increase my pain. My health got really bad for a while because I gave up on exercising because of the pain. I found avoiding too much of repetitive exercise and alternating reps helped me a lot.
The only thing that helps me is Osteopathic treatment. I tried a lot of things prior to that but nothing helped. I go every other week and it definitely helps temporarily relieve all my pain. The problem is finding a doctor who does it and takes insurance. I got lucky and found an amazing doctor.
I have peripheral neuropathy as well. Try CET, EBN5 or Metanix, mesenchymal stem cells , and spinal cord stimulator. I did the first 3 and am going to do the SCS. And for instant pain relief, opioids are the only thing to help me.
Related topics
peripheral neuropathy, pain, gabapentin, pregabalin, diabetic neuropathy
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