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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:01
I was wondering if anyone had any info on non-oral painkillers..
Its now going to be atleast 8 months before I can see anyone at the pain clinic - probably longer as I'll more than likely move areas half way through that time and have to start over again at another hospital..Anyway.. the Diclofenac gel just doesn't touch it anymore, nor does the 15% ibuprofen gel.. I can't / won't take oral pain killers, and would like to be armed with some info before seeing my GP to ask for something strong / better..
Any ideas / suggestions?
(ps - yes, accupuncture will help, and I will get that once I get seen at pain clinic.. in the mean time, its not even nearly affordable here.. same for accupressure and any other "alternative" therapies)
Posted by ed_uk on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:01
In reply to Non-Oral Painkillers??, posted by NikkiT2 on August 18, 2005, at 5:19:30
Hi Nikki,
What is the cause of your pain? How severe is it?
>I can't / won't take oral pain killers....
Bad experiences?
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:01
In reply to Re: Non-Oral Painkillers?? » NikkiT2, posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 10:23:22
hey ed,
I have nerve damage in my right arm causing neuropathy.. pain ranges from moderate to bad, to very very bad.. its in the very bad at the moment..
Its like someone is smashing a little ball peen hammer on my funny bone constantly (you know when you hit your funny bone on the corner of the door? Like that), while also holding lit matches to my finger tips.. add in pin prick pain over my fingers..
I've been referred to pain clinic.. but with wonderful waiting lists its gonna be way too long..
Thanks,
nikki xx
Posted by Declan on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:01
In reply to Re: Non-Oral Painkillers?? » ed_uk, posted by NikkiT2 on August 18, 2005, at 15:10:11
Memantine, alpha lipoic acid? Sometimes these are mentioned for neuropathy, some types anyway.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:02
In reply to Re: Non-Oral Painkillers?? » ed_uk, posted by NikkiT2 on August 18, 2005, at 15:10:11
Hi Nikki,
Have you tried all the usual meds for neuropathic pain? ........gabapentin, amitriptyline etc.
~ed xx
Posted by Declan on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:02
In reply to Re: Non-Oral Painkillers?? » NikkiT2, posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 18:21:23
Gabapentin, maybe that was it? Memantine?? I dunno.
Declan
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:02
In reply to Re: Non-Oral Painkillers??, posted by Declan on August 18, 2005, at 18:25:26
Been there done that on amitrip. etc.. and no longer willing to try anything that has any psychiatyric changes listed as a side effect.. I've worked darn hard to be where I am in my recovery, and fought side effects for too long to ever want to go down that route again..
I saw my GP this morning and she has prescribed me Capsaicin cream..Its for neuropathic pain associated with diabetes, and after shingles.. she said its worth a try..
But heck, it burns and itches (apparently that side effect will subside after a few days worth of treatment). I have to apply it every 4 hours.I'm *really* scared of anything that will "mess with my head".. really scared.. and as I hacve stomach problems too, I don't want anything that wil mess with that too much..
Roll on the accupuncture and nerve block!
Nikki
Posted by ed_uk on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:02
In reply to Update, posted by NikkiT2 on August 19, 2005, at 4:41:23
>I saw my GP this morning and she has prescribed me Capsaicin cream.
LOL, that's funny, I was just about to suggest that. You could also try a local anaesthetic cream.
~Ed
Posted by charlie-no-nose on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:02
In reply to Re: Update » NikkiT2, posted by ed_uk on August 19, 2005, at 10:05:39
Have you tried the Fentenyl patches? My mother is 95-years-old and is able to use it without any problems with side-effects,etc. Charlie-no-nose
Posted by ed_uk on August 20, 2005, at 11:57:02
In reply to Re: Update » ed_uk, posted by charlie-no-nose on August 19, 2005, at 22:31:44
I think you meant to post to Nikki :-)
~ed
Posted by Racer on August 20, 2005, at 12:54:34
In reply to Re: Non-Oral Painkillers?? » ed_uk, posted by NikkiT2 on August 18, 2005, at 15:10:11
I know you don't want to do meds with psychoactive properties, but I'm ignoring that for the moment. Sorry, SweetCheeks, you know I adore you so I hope you'll forgive me. It's not that I didn't see it, just that what I'm gonna mention doesn't meet that criteria...
Anyway, aside from capsaicin creme, which I would think would be pretty useful, Cymbalta is being used for diabetic neuropathy, so it might be worth a try for you. I've been on it for nearly a year now, and it's been a pretty friendly little drug for me. You know how hysterical I can get over medications, so that's saying a lot.
For what it's worth, with horses, we often do things that create a counter-irritation, which really does seem to help. DMSO is one popular option for horses, as are things like capsaicin. Used to be pin-firing: a superheated block of pins were applied to the leg, leaving distinctive scars. Sounds barbaric, but it really did work when nothing else seemed to. I wouldn't recommend pin-firing your arm, obviously, but the heating cremes and DMSO type things seem to work, too.
I hope your arm feels much better soon, my sweet. Take good care of yourself.
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