Meds for nerve pain Posted by Chris - 2008/08/06 13:32 I'm giving Lyrica a retry at a higher dose (200mg twice a day) and just started Cymbalta (30mg twice a day). So far, I really do notice a difference in elbow pain. I'll keep everyone posted. Posted by timm - 2008/08/08 14:48 Hi Chris, thanks for the post. Can you describe how Lyrica and Cymbalta are different from NSAIDs such as Advil? Do you find them to be very effective? Pain management is a very important aspect of treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome. It would be great if we could find something that works better than NSAIDs, which only seem to mask the pain and of course are harmful to the stomach with long-term use. Posted by Chris - 2008/08/08 17:10 Lyrica is a newer anti-seizure drug that binds to nerve calcium channels and reduces certain neurotransmitters that signal pain. Cymbalta is a serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor anti-depressant. Both are used in diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia, but increasingly prescribed for other typres of neuropathic pain. Lyrica is not metabolized by the body and has less worrisome side effects than Cymbalta. I generally avoid medications like the plague, but I'm giving these a try because I'm tired of the nagging nerve pain. I've read some horror stories--especially about Cymbalta--so people need to make their own decisions about what to ingest. From what I've read, nerve pain does sometimes respond to anti-seizure and certain anti-depressant medications. Posted by always4irish - 2008/08/20 21:12 I will have to ask my Dr., my pain is really beginning to affect my life. Just yesterday when putting the keys in my car my keys barely hit my pinkie. The pain I felt was indescribablt...im always shielding my pinkie. It is VERY sensitive. It is now hurting alot even with out being touched. And dont even get me started about when it gets cold. Gloves in the winter are an absolute must for me. 1 / 6
Posted by BrendaB - 2008/08/21 06:12 always4irish wrote: I will have to ask my Dr., my pain is really beginning to affect my life. Just yesterday when putting the keys in my car my keys barely hit my pinkie. The pain I felt was indescribablt...im always shielding my pinkie. It is VERY sensitive. It is now hurting alot even with out being touched. And dont even get me started about when it gets cold. Gloves in the winter are an absolute must for me. Hey there Always4irish, It's funny when you talk about cold weather. This winter (I live in South Florida) our temps dropped one night into the 40's - I could barely move my hand and especially fingers! That was my major "wake up call" that something was seriously wrong. I just thought I would highlight that comment of yours, because "cold" does become a major factor with Cubital or Guyons. Great observation. ;-) Posted by Carrie - 2008/08/21 17:55 Has anybody had luck with the drug Lyrica? My dr started me out on 75 mg twice daily and I felt no difference. He just upped it to 150 twice daily. I am debating whether or not to take it because I haven't felt a difference taking the 75 mg Posted by Chris - 2008/08/22 02:02 I initially gave up on Lyrica at a low dose because it didn't do anything. I recently restarted at a higher dose and am pleased so far with the results. I also take Cymbalta. The two seem to work together. Posted by Jay530-2008/08/22 18:13 My grandmother and uncle started takeing lyrica. Well...I didnt NOT like them on it..and neither did they...at high doses...my grandmother was drinking laundrey soap in the mid night...and my uncle said the lyrica never affected him in any positive way 2 / 6
Posted by Carrie - 2008/08/22 18:28 I don't feel anything when I am taking it. It's kind of like the affect that you would get from Naproxen (Aleve) which is no feeling at all. Maybe my body just doesnt process it or something, but it just doesn't seem like the right med for me Posted by Chris - 2008/08/23 03:34 The drugs don't work for everyone. That's the problem with nerve pain. It's tough to treat. I'm just glad to be able to do things with my arm that I haven't been able to in two years. How long it will last, I don't know, but for now, I'm really enjoying the absence of pain. Posted by BrendaB - 2008/08/23 06:16 I know for me, "pain/nerve" blocking pills or shots did NOTHING for me. Nerves are funny critters when it comes to pain management. For some people they (either method) work great, but for probably 75%, no improvement. Sorry, I am one that is not big on using any drugs. If they work, excellent, but don't be disappointed if they don't yield any relief. My surgery isn't 100% yet, but it is a whole lot better than prior to surgery. No, getting cut is not fun, but letting my arm and hand decay, that is not an alternative that I wanted to deal with. If drugs are helping, I think that is great. Anything that stops being cut, that is a good thing. :-) Posted by thumper55024-2008/12/10 02:04 I have been on Neurotin and Vicodin for 5 months. I know I will have withdrawals from the vicodin. They tried Tramadahl but that upset my stomach to much. This pain is terrible. I have tattoos on 25% of my body I can handle most pain, put this is ridicolous(?) I am left handedand the left arm is the problem. I am so tired of feeling like this. 3 / 6
Posted by kerleyq - 2008/12/10 04:13 ya know.. i am left handed as well. luckily my first was on the right arm but now my left is acting up.. arggh! after my surgery, i was prescribed 70 percocets 7.5 mg.. then two prescriptions of hydrocodone 5's.. that was 150 pain killers in three weeks! it was very very hard coming off them but well worth it.. it will definitely take some time. keep your head up and i'll keep you in my prayers! i wish nothing but the best for you!! we will all be here for support if you need us! Posted by pmb003-2008/12/10 07:41 Beware of Pain Medication for Cubital Tunnel as well as for Carpel Tunnel. Review all case studies before you try any meds for nerve pain because to my knowledge, there is NO medicine that will Cure Nerve Pain!!! And Because of our Insurance System, doctors are NOT allowed to properly treat us unless the TEST NUMBERS satisfy the insurance company... I know, because I'm battling the same thing. I had severe Cubital Tunnel in my left elbow last June and had to have surgery within a few weeks. And now that my right elbow is causing me extreme pain and I have Cubital Tunnel in this elbow, the same doctor is trying to give me the run around because my nerve test numbers are not BAD enough yet. So on my next visit, I plan to ask my doctor, which Nerve Test numbers shows my Pain Level, plus I plan to contact my insurance provider to ask them for help... When I got the run around about my gall bladder problem, I ran up a $38,000 bill running from doctor to doctor, until I finally found a doctor that was will to help me. And believe me, my insurance provider was sure glad when I had the simple $1,500 surgery. So Beware!!!!! Posted by thumper55024-2008/12/11 04:10 Thank you, that means alot. 4 / 6
I have been on the vicodin 5/500 for 5 months I know the withdrawals will be terrible, I think I will take a week off and just deal with it when the time comes. I am just hoping that what they put me on AFTER the surgery is strong enough. I will definalty post after. Thanks again. You have been great helping me with all this. Posted by Chris - 2008/12/15 14:05 There is no magic pill for nerve pain. Still, I would give different medications a try. Neurontin didn't work for me, but lyrica + cymbalta did. Question on recovery from surgery! Posted by toothfairy - 2008/12/15 19:07 Hi everyone - It seems that there are so many knowledgeable people on this site so I'd appreciate some answers to a few questions. I was diagnosed with cubital tunnel and the nerve transposition surgery has been recommended. I really like my Dr. but of course I am terrified of surgery. Can you please tell me a realistic timeline when I would be able to return to my desk job after surgery? Also, I have two small children and am concerned about the everyday things and when I will be able to function. I am right-handed (and it's my left arm) so is it realistic to think that shortly after surgery I will be able to function even with my right arm? This is really what's holding me back as I am ready to have this done for relief but I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my kids even though I have a lot of support. Thanks so much!!! Re:Question on recovery from surgery! Posted by kerleyq - 2008/12/15 19:28 hey there. i am a lefty, and had my right arm done.. i also have kids (3) and my husband works out of state, so it's just me and them most of the time. i had surgery on the 7th of october, stayed with my mom for 24 hours after.. came back home the evening of the 8th, and was able to do alot of things pretty normal. i do have an eleven and eight year old who helped with stuff i couldn't do, like dishes or walking the dog. i was able to move my fingers fine, and even built two mini-boats for my kids to race while i was in the splint! and as far as the desk job, i'm a home mom, i only know that i was back using the computer with both hands the day i got my splint off, which was two weeks after surgery. but the pain lasted for another week or two so you're gonna be out for about six weeks.. that's just an average for any surgery. good luck and try not to be too scared, i'm sure you will be in great hands!! 5 / 6
Re:Question on recovery from surgery! Posted by toothfairy - 2008/12/15 19:49 Hi - thanks so much for your quick response! It seems that you have done really well with this, that's great!! I'm going back to my ortho on 12/30 to schedule the surgery and have my hubby meet the surgeon. I can't imagine being out of work for 6 weeks (although it might be nice while the kids are at school). I have a very high maintenance 3 year old so I am a little concerned about that but maybe this will teach her to be a little less reliant on Mom. My dr. indicated about 2 weeks out of work and then possibility of working from home so I will talk to him about that again when I return. Thanks again! Re:Question on recovery from surgery! Posted by kerleyq - 2008/12/16 16:35 i should also tell you that i have a four year old daughter who is pretty high maintenance herself.. but she was my little helper through the whole recovery. she was, however, a little scared to touch me for a little while. don't be surprised if you get that same reaction. i talked to her beforehand about it and described as having a big band aid on my arm.. that seemed to help some.. keep us posted on everything, ok? 6 / 6