C6-C7 new neuro pain, not sleeping at all

[c0ldhart]

Hello, my boyfriend is 2 months post injury and is starting to get tons of neuro pain. He is on 3600 mg of Neurontin and it helps for his post injury pain, but does not touch this new pain. He is having tons of pain down his right leg, burning, hypersensitive to the touch, etc, spreads from right hip down leg and then goes into his pelvis area. He used to think it was bowel related, but with a good bowel care program it hasn't changed and the pain is just getting worse. Now he is also getting it in his Right shoulder-tricep. First of all, what is this a sign of? SECOND, what 'cocktail' of drugs works well with nerve pain? He used to be on 900 mg of Neurontin and it was fine for his post injury pain (burning\hypersensitivity in forearms) but since he has started getting pain in his leg and now tricep, he is ready to be scraped off the ceiling he is hurting so bad. Plus, it doesn't seem to matter how much pain he is in they keep upping the Neurontin and he isn't feeling any difference. He's in so much pain they don't even want him to deal with Physical Therapy, but he's only gotten about 2 weeks in 2 MONTHS, so he makes himself suffer through it, just so he can be working towards SOMETHING. Also, he's not sleeping at all... that isn't helping either.

Any and all advice would be well taken.

[denny]

The only thing I can say to your boysfriend is, it does get better. I am one year post injury, and I remember how awful it was for several months. Neurontin did not help me at all. I don't take anything now for pain, but a half of a ambien for sleep. It definitely helps. I have the same burning down the right leg, and attribute it to maybe something sciatic. Haven't had it checked out, but acupuncturist did say the pain was running right down the sciatic nerve. Hang in there.

[metronycguy]

Do a search or read through the posts on the pain forum. neurontin combined with low doses of amitriptyline and a pain killer can work much better than individual meds.
be very mindful when taking neurontin about not taking magnesium too close to the neurontin dose or you will negate the effects.
many supplements and meal boosters contain magnesium.
neurontin for pain tend to work better if taken every 6 hours

[spike_man23]

I am 5 yrs post almost and what I found was that yeah it is worse from the onset but as time goes it either gets better or you just get used to it, I'm not exactly sure. Do you take baclofen? I used to take 160 mg a day for spasms but it also helped the pain a little. I got a pump now and I only take 20 mg a day and it seems to be the same.

Ryan

[stemcell4all]

Be real careful when taking that much Neurontin as he is, it has a side effect that they rarely tell you about, being it promotes thoughts of suicide. I was in the same boat as your boyfriend I am 4 years post & it does get better. I found a very knowledgeable pain Doctor who help me thru it. Unfortunately what got me thru was OxyContin & fentanyl, a synthetic form of morphine . While it help bring the pain under control like any narcotic it brings on a dependency issue. I am sure @ this point this would be the least of the concerns for him. Find yourself a good Doctor that specializes in pain & best of luck

[c0ldhart]

Thanks for all of the help....

I've pinched my sciatic before, so we had a huge debate and determined it was one farther in the back... so nope, not that one...

I think that we're lucky in that suicide is not an issue with him and he has more worries about homicide (from ME!!!) because he can be VERY sarcastic, but at least if he's being sarcastic, then the pain isn't so bad.

I'll approach him with the drug options. I'll mention the ambien to him, but I know he was so happy to be able to sleep without meds, so I don't think he'll go for that one.

They did put him back on a slow release synthetic morphine, which kinda sucked because he did well without morphine for a few weeks and was hoping that it was a sign of doing better... not necessarily rehab progression, but just basic healing. At this point though, i just want him to be able to rest. That helps his healing more than anything, plus he deserves-needs it, he works hard at PT.

I think that I'll just have to keep reiterating to him that it's a combo of drugs not a one pill cure-all and that he's just going to have to stay on the doctors until he finds it... That's the only thing that i can think of...

Once again, the info is greatly appreciated....take care all!!!

[painlessjoe]

Hello all,

I am new at this Forum and this post and I would like to suggest a very good treatment for the pain. It is temporary but, at least, your boyfriend would get some sleep. I would suggest an " EGG PLASTER TREATMENT " and you can get the treatment on my web site for free at http://ca.geocities.com/painlessjoe/ . You will see that it works wanders. It will take the swelling away and consequently, relieve the pain.

I am a Special Massage Therapist which means I am a massage therapist, a reflexologist, an acupressurist and a dislocate and / or a pinched nerve specialist. I help people's pain. It is free for people on the internet.

If not interested, it's OK as I have lost nothing but your boyfriend has all to gain by it.

Good Luck

Joe

[metronycguy]

i do not think painless joe knows what sci is or anything about neuropathic pain

[alan]

And it often keeps getting worse, instead of getting better. Every case is different.