joss1000
07-03-2003, 04:08 PM
I've had PN Peripheral Neuropathy for over 3 years. I've tried Neurontin with no relief from the body aches, feet and hands throbbing, tingling and burning sensations. My only releif has been from Oxycontin, but I hope to find something not addicting. At one time I was able to use less oxy combined with amitriptyline I believe, or Lamictal, I can't remember. I had bad reactions to the Duragesic patches and hope someone with same condition can suggest an alternative that may help. Mine is quite severe and my doses are large. My doctors know less than I do and seem to just continue whatever the one before did. Please help. joss1000
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DanP
07-03-2003, 06:15 PM
Hi Joss100. I am a newbie here. Have had Idiopathic Painful Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy with Chronic Generalized Moderate to Severe Pain in my legs and feet and the same gradually beginning in my hands. I've had this for 15+ years and I am 71 years old.
Isn't is strange how a medication differs from one person to the other? I've been using the Duragesic Patch (started with the 50 strength - now using 100 strength) for about 2 years and it has worked extremely well for me. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst, my pain is on average a 2. The patch has permitted me to live a relatively normal life. I have no side effects, no 'highs' or drugged feeling, my eyes are clear, hands are steady and I have full control of all my faculties. I drive my car without incident and I walk 1 1/2 to 2 miles everyday rain or shine! I get by with only the use of a cane and lead a relatively normal life for a man of my age.
Addiction to strong opioid medications is rare when true chronic moderate to severe pain is present. One may very well become DEPENDENT on such a medication but there is a big difference between dependency and addiction and knowledgable physicians are fortunately now well aware of this. I do hope that PNers will have their pain level evaluated and if chronic moderate to severe pain is present that appropriate pain relievers are administered. The agony of this type pain should no longer have to be endured.
I strongly recommend you find a physician that is experienced in treating pain...especially PN pain. No one knows your body better than you and you are you own best advocate. You might want to seek out a Pain Management Clinic. Sometimes it takes a combination of meds to bring PN pain under control and this takes patience on your part as well as an EXPERIENCED physician who understands the complexities of chronic severe pain. Do whatever it takes to find relief...you deserve it. Good luck.
DanP
Isn't is strange how a medication differs from one person to the other? I've been using the Duragesic Patch (started with the 50 strength - now using 100 strength) for about 2 years and it has worked extremely well for me. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst, my pain is on average a 2. The patch has permitted me to live a relatively normal life. I have no side effects, no 'highs' or drugged feeling, my eyes are clear, hands are steady and I have full control of all my faculties. I drive my car without incident and I walk 1 1/2 to 2 miles everyday rain or shine! I get by with only the use of a cane and lead a relatively normal life for a man of my age.
Addiction to strong opioid medications is rare when true chronic moderate to severe pain is present. One may very well become DEPENDENT on such a medication but there is a big difference between dependency and addiction and knowledgable physicians are fortunately now well aware of this. I do hope that PNers will have their pain level evaluated and if chronic moderate to severe pain is present that appropriate pain relievers are administered. The agony of this type pain should no longer have to be endured.
I strongly recommend you find a physician that is experienced in treating pain...especially PN pain. No one knows your body better than you and you are you own best advocate. You might want to seek out a Pain Management Clinic. Sometimes it takes a combination of meds to bring PN pain under control and this takes patience on your part as well as an EXPERIENCED physician who understands the complexities of chronic severe pain. Do whatever it takes to find relief...you deserve it. Good luck.
DanP
BrianKosh
07-21-2003, 12:55 AM
this is going to sound like a rather stupid comment, and because of the tos of this board (no offense), I can't say much of anything about this. The actor/comedian Jerry Lewis suffers from chronic pain, and has found a device, which I guess is Implanted within him, and he pushes a button for relief. Would this kind of pain relief (not being a drug) work for conditions such as yours, or am I entirely out in left field..? ( it wouldn't be the first, won't be the last.). For any other info on the device, you will have to look it up. (no, it won't work for everyone, and it is in no way a cure..)
kevin69
07-25-2003, 05:58 PM
i've been in a wheelchair and disabled for over 2 yrs.due to perpheral neuropathy.the oxycontin&oxycodone along with 1600mg. of neurotin is all that works for me.i understand your concern about addicted but like my doc. says i have to take it the rest of my life to be somewhat pain free so not much of a choice.good luck, kevin
Earnestii5
07-25-2003, 10:16 PM
Kevin,I have neuropathy and have been in a power chair for 16 months.That medication is pretty expensive is'nt it?So far I have not found any thing to control my pain.
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Earnest
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Earnest
Murnee
08-16-2003, 11:54 PM
Hi, I am Diabetic, have been for almost 10 yrs. I now have Periphial Neuropothy in my toes, feet, fingers and my right arm. My right arm gets to hurtin' me so bad in the middle of the night, that I have to sit up on the bed and move my arm around, let it hang, etc. My Dr. had me on Topomax but it didn't do any good, so he put me on Nuerontin. That helped it better than the other, but the side effect I picked up was the "periodic" loss of short term memory. I thought I may have had Alzheimer's,(different page... :)but my Dr told me "no..nothing is wrong with my brain...that this is one of the side effects of the Nuerontin." I quit taking it on my own..the pain came back,,so I went back on it.
My feet hurt, my toes tingle and I get shots of pain in my feet so bad to where I have to stomp my feet on the floor to relieve the pain. My hands tingle, and go numb to where I couldn't even hold on to my husbands sandwich the other night...couldn't feel it in my hand.
Does anyone have any suggestion of medicine that may help my pain, with out loosing my memory??
My feet hurt, my toes tingle and I get shots of pain in my feet so bad to where I have to stomp my feet on the floor to relieve the pain. My hands tingle, and go numb to where I couldn't even hold on to my husbands sandwich the other night...couldn't feel it in my hand.
Does anyone have any suggestion of medicine that may help my pain, with out loosing my memory??
dwpavlik
08-19-2003, 06:14 PM
HELLO
I have to re-suggest what we would like to stop taking, the Oxycontin is the only thing that helps me. I am on a lot of it. But it does not affect short term memory. It does help the pain. But you can as I do still get the stabbing shooting pains in your feet and hands. Nothing I have found relieves this. But this type of pain goes away. Even though it makes me cry out in pain in some instances. Also be aware of opiate reactions such as mood altering effects. You have OK memory but you can become moody on this medication.
The other device mentioned is a spinal cord stimulator. The main problem with this is infections in the insertion sights. But this works well for some as well. I have a friend using it but she is fighting severe infections.
Hope this is useful
Don
I have to re-suggest what we would like to stop taking, the Oxycontin is the only thing that helps me. I am on a lot of it. But it does not affect short term memory. It does help the pain. But you can as I do still get the stabbing shooting pains in your feet and hands. Nothing I have found relieves this. But this type of pain goes away. Even though it makes me cry out in pain in some instances. Also be aware of opiate reactions such as mood altering effects. You have OK memory but you can become moody on this medication.
The other device mentioned is a spinal cord stimulator. The main problem with this is infections in the insertion sights. But this works well for some as well. I have a friend using it but she is fighting severe infections.
Hope this is useful
Don

