Has anyone tried anti-depressant medication for neuropathic pain?

I tried several of those way earlier before my diagnosis and my body didn't respond well to them at all. I was recently prescribed one new one (I still take Gabapentin), but I have not taken it yet because I remember my Mom taking it a long time ago and having very adverse effects. BUT...I know that each individual responds differently to medication combinations, so I'd say all you can do is research it and maybe try, then make a decision on how to proceed. Hope that helps. Good luck to you

Amitriptyline and Lyrica work well for me to control pain. Both agree with me and the only side effect is occasional dry mouth. I hope you can find the right combination for you.

@greenacres, @rivermaya34, @willows and others - Here are a few other discussions you may want to take a look at to see what others have shared on different medications used for neurpathic pain.

-- Which prescription medication helps you best for peripheral neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/which-prescription-medication-helps-you-best-for-peripheral-neuropathy/
-- Any new neuropathy medications? Does caffeine affect your neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/caffeinenew-medication/
-- Neuropathy Medications: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-medications/
-- Anyone tried a time release medication for peripheral neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prescription-medication/

Nortriptyline and Pregabalin for me

I take Gabapentin. I tried Cymbalta and could not take it. Everyone is different.

Hello @mcd123, @melody12, @willows, @rivermaya34
Thank you so much for responding and sharing. @willows Did you have an adjustment period with the Amitriptyline? I'm so glad to know that it has helped your pain. Considering trying the Nortriptyline but meanwhile a big advocate of natural methods such as distraction and neuroplasticity exercises.

Thank you John @johnbishop ! As always, you are a tremendous source for providing fascinating information.

I couldn’t stay asleep with Trazodone and I needed a little bump with pain relief. Dr. suggested swapping out Trazodone for Nortriptyline (because it does have a bit of pain relief in it) and to stay on course with the Pregabalin. I now sleep more soundly, allowing a good nites rest, no side affects and pain is more tolerable without having to up my Pregabalin mg.

I take 200 mg Pregabalin 3 times a day (to help with pain), but I need 1 mg Clonazepam to help me sleep 7-8 hours each night.

Good evening Michelle and others exploring options for medications that can help with neuropathy symptoms. Here is another option. My neurologist started with Nortriptyline when psychologically I was depressed as the physical pain from SFN began increasing. That medication made it possible for me to find sleep and rest. When the neuropathy pain and discomfort kept increasing we (my PCP and I) decided to taper off Nortriptyline, my nighttime helper, and relace it with cannabis. The urgency was to address the diagnosis of GAD in the mornings. The level of anxiety was causing more pain making it tough to get up and get going. We decided on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for the morning when I really needed to calm down and go with the flow......so to speak.

The tapering off of the old, uptaking of the new, and rearranging of other dosages has been very successful. We will take a look at the entire situation again in February. This lady, my PCP, practices shared decision-making with me. It has been several years now and we are still reviewing and researching at least once a year. I will have had two additional orthopedic surgeries this year so we will begin by reviewing the impact of those procedures on the major ongoing concern of SFN and its progression.

Your contributions are very helpful. Do you plan to make medication changes for next year? Will you share your decision-making outcomes?

May you be mentally healthy
May you be physically healthy

Chris