Decrease in nerve pain

[Phillis]

I just wondered if anyone had experienced a decrease in their nerve pain over time? I don't mean through medication but rather just having the pain subside over time. I keep hoping my pain will get better but so far it hasn't! Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[SCI-Nurse]

Phillis, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is unlikely. In fact, many studies show that one of the effects of aging with SCI for many people is an increase in neuropathic pain.

(KLD)

[Joe B]

I agree with KLD, central pain seems to get worse over the years. Idont know if it's that I have less energy to fight it or if it actually is worse but I am more conscious of it and it takes over more of my life.

I am hopeful that they will have a better treatment for it soon though. There is a lot of basic research being done on pain and it could result in a treatment for central pain.

In my case,the pain didn't increase for several years and then only gradually.

Best of luck http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Joe B
C6-7
1988

[alan]

If you've seen any of my other posts, my pains only get worse with time.

[AngelaandKC]

Okay, I guess I am the exception to what people are posting, but I found that my nerve pain from a compression fracture at t-7 started with a bang, went off and running and then decreased after about four months. Just when I thought "Hmm, this is good." I got nerve pain at my injury level, t 10/11. It started gradually, increased and is now diminishing a little. I did start some suppliments before the first round of nerve pain, and I really think that they have had a hand at helping.

[Phillis]

What kind of supplements did you start taking? I'm glad to hear someone has had a decrease in the pain! I keep hoping!

[AngelaandKC]

I am taking something called "Lions Mane" (mushroom), flax oil and lecithin granules. I don't know which of the three is helping, and I am afraid to stop one or the others to find out. What ever works right? Best wishes and let me know if it works for you too.

[Phillis]

How much of each of the supplements do you take? I really appreciate your help as this nerve pain is driving me crazy! Do you take any prescription medicine for your pain or just the supplements? Thanks for your help!

[Chris Chappell]

Pain is weakness leaving the body.

I keep telling myself that day after day.

No meds / drugs for me.

Hope you feel better Phillis.

Onward and Upward!

[GermanyC4]

My husband is C4 incomplete (23 Feb 02) and walking - fracture of C5/C6 with titanium plate screwed into C4-C7 on 24 Feb, and postoperative gallbladder perfortion with gangrene on 8 Mar. He is on a cocktail of Neurontin, Valoron-N and Musaril - and has constant, consistent pain bilaterally in his forearms and hands (syrinx ruled out this past week), accompanied by numbness and tingling in both arms and legs, and has a claw (improving with time/use) for his right hand.

Pain relief is very much individualized. His pain has not decreased in this short amount of time since injury, but does seem to subside with medication. More importantly, Steve was/is a very high caliber athlete and has always been able to live "mind over matter" ... he achieves the greatest amount of pain relief by not focusing on the pain, and continuing to push through it - replacing it with other more productive images and thoughts.

Four months after injury and these two surgeries later ... we just road biked 30 miles averaging 14.7 mph - and (as usual) he kicked my butt. I am so proud of him and amazed by him.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you find the right combination of internal and external strength ... Beth

[AngelaandKC]

Hi Phillis,

Sorry it is taking so long to reply. I really should check this site more often.

Right now I am taking Baclofen for spasticity (80mg?) and Nerontin for nerve pain. I am not sure of the doseage, but I take four pills total during the day, which is a great decrease of 8 I used to take.

Before I proceed, this is in no way an advertisement. I am not trying to push a brand name or anything. Just telling you what I know. (Hate when people give testimonials, and in reality, they work for the company or something)

I guess I should go back a little and tell you some background as to why I am taking the supplements. My accident was in late August of last year. I was interested in taking whatever supplements were out there to help with the healing process. Now, you have to keep in mind that I HATE taking neds of any kind, so for me, asking for supplements was really someting WAY out there for me.

A family friend was a researcher at the University of Washington. Jonathon is now retired, but still working on the field of anti-aging and cancer prevention. Man, he is in his mid 60's but when you meet him, I swear he looks 40. Anyway, I asked him what I should be taking, since my doc was not giving me any advice, besides taking calcuim and a multi-vitamin.

He was the one who told me to try the Lion's Mane, flax oil and Lecithin granuales to help generate new nerve cells. This is only my experience, nothing scientific, but I think that it has helped, as I have returned to about 80% in one leg and 45% in the other. The added benefit was the decrease in nerve pain.

As for the dosages of supplements, it really depends on the brand of the supplements. I am using a brand called "Doctors A-Z" which I am getting from Jonathon for the flax oil and Lecithin. Flax oil tabs three times a day and a tablespoon of Lecithin in juice in the morning.

I tried some other brands from a health food store, but I found I didn't get the same results, and I had to take twice as much of the Lecithin.

As for the Lion's Mane, four pills in the morning. I don't know what brand it is, but I have seen it on the internet. Try a Google search.

All in all, it costs me about $30 a month, maybe less. Like I said earlier, I don't know which of the three is helping reduce the pain, but something is working. And luckily for me, the it is not complicated.

I have gone from UNBEARABLE pain from my compression fracture at T-7, to pretty much gone. My T10-11 pain is really managable now. Not completely gone, but nothing that becomes a focus.

Best wishes! Hope this info helps you.