SimonTiger
New Member
Neuropathic pain is pain, which is caused by a problem with signals from nerves. There are various causes of neuropathic pain. Another common type of pain is due to trauma, burn, pressure, etc. Traditional pain medications such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatory drugs and codeine usually do not help very well. However, neuropathic pain can often be weakened by antidepressants or anti-epileptic drugs. Other pain medications and methods are sometimes used.
Allodinia. This means that the pain appears or worsens when touched, which usually does not cause pain. For example, a light raid on the face can cause pain if you have a trigeminal neuralgia. The pressure of bed linen can cause pain if you have diabetic neuropathy.
Hyperalgesia. This means that you have a strong pain from contact, which usually can cause only a slight discomfort. For example, mild pressure on the painful area can cause severe pain.
Paresthesia. This means that you have unpleasant or painful sensations, even when there is no touching stimulus. For example, you may experience a painful tingling of pins or electric shock.
In addition to pain, the very impact of pain on your life can also be important. For example, pain can lead to sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression.
How often does neuropathic pain occur?It is estimated that approximately 7 out of every 100 people in the UK have persistent (chronic) neuropathic pain. It is much more common in elderly people who are more likely to develop the diseases listed above.
Medicines used to treat neuropathic pain
Traditional traditional pain relievers are usually used. Probably, you have already tried to use traditional painkillers (for example, paracetamol) or anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen). However, in most cases, their use does not allow to reduce the degree of neuropathic pain.
A tricyclic antidepressant can relieve pain for several days, but in some cases it may take 2-3 weeks. It is best to continue using the drug for at least 4-6 weeks to see how well the antidepressant works.
The most common side effect of the use of antidepressants is drowsiness. To try to avoid drowsiness, treatment should start with a low dose (then gradually increase it if necessary). Dry mouth is another common side effect. Therefore, you need to drink often water.
trade names of drugs: Sinequan(Doxepin)
Psychological treatment of neuropathic pain is also important. Pain can worsen due to stress, anxiety and depression. In addition, the perception of pain may vary depending on how we react to our pain and circumstances. In some cases, the treatment of anxiety or depression can help. In addition, methods such as stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pain management programs can be effective in helping people with chronic (chronic) neuropathic pain.
More on the nature of neuropathic pain
Relation to neuropathic pain can be:Allodinia. This means that the pain appears or worsens when touched, which usually does not cause pain. For example, a light raid on the face can cause pain if you have a trigeminal neuralgia. The pressure of bed linen can cause pain if you have diabetic neuropathy.
Hyperalgesia. This means that you have a strong pain from contact, which usually can cause only a slight discomfort. For example, mild pressure on the painful area can cause severe pain.
Paresthesia. This means that you have unpleasant or painful sensations, even when there is no touching stimulus. For example, you may experience a painful tingling of pins or electric shock.
In addition to pain, the very impact of pain on your life can also be important. For example, pain can lead to sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression.
How often does neuropathic pain occur?
Medicines used to treat neuropathic pain
Traditional traditional pain relievers are usually used. Probably, you have already tried to use traditional painkillers (for example, paracetamol) or anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen). However, in most cases, their use does not allow to reduce the degree of neuropathic pain.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants are often used to treat neuropathic pain. It is believed that they work by inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses. Most often, amitriptyline is prescribed for the treatment of neuropathic pain.A tricyclic antidepressant can relieve pain for several days, but in some cases it may take 2-3 weeks. It is best to continue using the drug for at least 4-6 weeks to see how well the antidepressant works.
The most common side effect of the use of antidepressants is drowsiness. To try to avoid drowsiness, treatment should start with a low dose (then gradually increase it if necessary). Dry mouth is another common side effect. Therefore, you need to drink often water.
trade names of drugs: Sinequan(Doxepin)
Other antidepressants for the treatment of neuropathic pain
A number of studies have shown that the antidepressant duloxetine effectively weakens neuropathic pain. It was found that duloxetine is effective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This drug is used as the first line for the treatment of this disease. Duloxetine is not classified as a tricyclic antidepressant, but as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and norepinephrine. In other types of neuropathic pain, this drug can also be prescribed if tricyclic antidepressants do not work or when side effects occur. The range of possible side effects caused by duloxetine differs from those that trigger tricyclic antidepressants.Anti-epileptic drugs (anticonvulsant)
Anti-epileptic drugs are an alternative to antidepressants. For example, gabapentin or Neurontin. These drugs are usually used to treat epilepsy, but they also alleviate neuropathic pain. Anti-epileptic drugs can stop nerve impulses, preventing epileptic seizures. As with antidepressants, a low dose is prescribed at the beginning of treatment, and then gradually increased (if necessary). Treatment may take several weeks to maximize the effect.Physical methods of treatment of neuropathic pain
Depending on the place and cause of the pain, the doctor can advise one or more physical methods of treatment. These include: physiotherapy, acupuncture, nerve blocks with the introduction of local anesthetics, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, etc.Psychological treatment of neuropathic pain is also important. Pain can worsen due to stress, anxiety and depression. In addition, the perception of pain may vary depending on how we react to our pain and circumstances. In some cases, the treatment of anxiety or depression can help. In addition, methods such as stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pain management programs can be effective in helping people with chronic (chronic) neuropathic pain.