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Neuropathy pain medications

J

Jan McGee

Active Member
Messages
38
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I would be grateful for any advice from anyone who has 'been there' with pain medication for neuropathy.

I have just started to experience pain, after years of reduced sensation.

5.30 this morning I was woken by repeated electric shock like pains in my foot, about 3 per minute for 4 hours, just enough time to make monkey noises and swear before the next one. :shock: then settling somewhat. They are still happening.

A Trainee GP has prescribed a short course of night time amitriptyline - thus increasing the dose from 20-40g temporarily.

A lump, might be a blister, has appeared on the spot, the skin is very sore.
 
I've had neuropathy pain since 1989 following a car accident which broke my back. I can still walk but had nerve damage to right leg. You had been started on the correct medicine, most are anti-depression but also work on the nerves that give you the classical pain you describe. It is trail and error. At the start paracetamol work for me but now on a opioid. Often it's a case of waiting for the episode to burn it self out. For me that takes around 3 days. Now getting the pain in the other leg due to diabetes
 
Thanks Jool8 that's helpful.

Sorry to hear you need opiates to control the pain, and that it is now affecting your other leg, that must be tough.

I was interested to hear you talk of episodes. Does that mean the pain isnt constant? Do the episodes get longer over time?
 
I'm still puzzled that I was prescribed amitriptyline for short term 'emergency' use, when I have read it takes
weeks to kick in. :? :?: Do you know if I have got the wrong end of the stick?
 
I was prescribed amitriptyline when I did a disc in my neck, the pain down my whole arm was intense. The pain went after 8 weeks, the amitriptyline helped, but as you say does take a week or so to build up and kick in.
I'm not sure of the course of diabetic based neuropathy. But I know amitriptyline is one of the first drugs used for nerve based pain.
 
Thanks for your help, furrycub.

mmmm... not so good as a standby in a hurry med then, more for chronic pain.

I was put on pethedine for nerve pain when I broke my arm on the path of the main nerves.
That was a long time ago though. I think the discovery that amitriptyline could act on nerve pain as well
as depression is comparatively recent. To be honest, the pethedine just cheered me up a bit for half an
hour!

I hope you never experience diabetic neuropathy. I expect your experiences will make you hypervigilant in
ensuring it never happens!
 
Neuropathy pain is not just one type of pain but is made up of multiple type as you have found out. When I've had a break through pain it has gone on for days with the shooting pain happening every 30 seconds. Have had the Gp visit to give IM diamorphine (herion) to help with the pain. I'm on 3 anti-neuropathic drugs as well as other pain killers. But I've got lovely grandchildren so it makes it all worth wile. Hope you get yours sorted soon
 
Jan
When I was first diagnosed with diabetes I had neoropathy in hands, feet and legs. Put it down to getting older. I switched to a low carb diet on diagnosis, got by BG down to that of non-diabetes folk and I have been free of pain for 3 years.
Are you in control of your BG numbers and HBa1C?
Cd
 
Hi jan it will certainly help to get you BGs to normal levels then time will tell how much damage has been to the nerves because nerves do have some ability to regenerate. With a little bit of luck once your levels are stable they will recover or a least the pain not so server. Paracetamol can give relief better then other pain killers, which Dr are not to sure why as it does differ from person to person. Remember it's your pain so don't other specially Drs tell you you don't have pain when you do, and treatment that work well on one person doesn't mean it will work for you. It is one of the worst chronic pain one can have and unless one have suffered with it others don't know how bad it can be. Hope that help and not confuses you. If you have any other queries please contact me. Wish you all the best
Jools08
 
I have lumber spinal stenosis following 3 slipped discs in the area, Fibromyalgia and Diabetic neuropathy. Years ago I was on amytryptaline but the only one that worked for me was Pregabalin (Lyrica) it helps brilliantly, eases the sharp pains and got rid of the crawling sensations in my legs.
 
Hi, my late husband had neuropathy. He was put on MST (Morphine slow release) and severadol for breakthrough pain. He did go on Amitryptyline but suffered hallucinations so was weaned off. Check with your local hospital because most have a pain relief clinic and someone there may help you if the pain does not subside. Hope you get 'pain free' soon!!
 
Amiltriyptiline made me feel well away with the fairies !
Far too strong for my liking ...
Find keeping my BS levels lower and steady helps a LOT .
If neuropathy is painful at night - I use co-codamol pain management .

It is ALWAYS best to vist your GP or specialist with this .
They are there to help you and can treat you correctly with the right pain relief
and treatment for you as an individual ...
What suits or works for one - wont suit ' all ' of us .
 
I've had diabetic peripheral neuropathy for about 20 years and did a lot of research on it. If you have extreme nerve pain, then I'd look into Gabapentin, which seems to be a miracle, non-addictive drug used now mostly for nerve pain. It was originally developed for epilepsy. I have cervical stenosis, where all the spinal nerves in my neck are compressed. I use Alpha Lipoic Acid, the body's master antioxidant, that's been used in Europe for about 60 years by German doctors to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It also is an extremely important supplement for type 2 diabetes. I've had California medical cannabis for 6 years, but have been using cannabis medically for about 51 years. The 4th thing, and most important if you're diabetic, is to get your blood sugars under control. I'm also an orthomolecular nutritionist, specializing in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nutritional help for most all chronic diseases and medical conditions. Might also want to research a UK company - GWPharmaceuticals
 
Hi I'm new and pretty desperate.this was for Robert. I'm not sure if I have neuro pain.I was given dreadful news I have only two good discs.three are currently on my nerves.I have chronic back syndrome.but not only do I have pain constant in my legs and lower back.I sometimes can't feel my feet and move my toes.Plus my diabatese went up to 28.4 ..Am really scared still waiting for a hospital referral.on wait for it.morpheine.ibrufen. amytripyline. Diazepam.tramadol.gabapentin.diabetic drugs new one really poorly.Has anyone with neuro sometimes experience your leg go numb.I'm pretty lonely and so frustrated they just drug me up..have never been told anything about readings.
What I should of said hi to everyone.sorry if wrong place.I'm pretty lost on this ...
 
Yours is more likely because your discs are compressing the nerve pretty severely so will probably need surgery I was exactly the same I had slipped discs and numb leg and foot had the surgery and it disappeared x
 
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