Has anyone tried anti-depressant medication for neuropathic pain?

Posted by greenacres @greenacres, Nov 13, 2021

I'm wondering how many people in this community with neuropathic pain have been prescribed some form of an anti-depressant along with or without Gabapentin to help ease the pain and if anyone has found this protocol helpful?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

greenacres | @greenacres | Nov 27, 2021

In reply to @annievee "I take Cymbalta for my neuropathic feet. Been taking it for years. It works very well..." + (show)

Thank you so much for letting me know @annievee

notgivingup17 | @notgivingup17 | Dec 17, 2021

This is an update on my condition, Can you believe the doctors still do not know what is wrong with me! It's been 5 yrs. They said I had a herniated disc and I had surgery and it didn't help. My pain has spread all the way up my body, I even feel it in my head and face at times. Now I'm back to square one new med's. I'm now trying Low Dose Naltrexone 1.5mg and just moved up to 2mg at night. this medication takes awhile to work but it seems to be helping so far but not enough yet. I'm also still on Lyrica 50mg 2 x daily. I will give an update after I've been on it longer it's only been 2 months. For more information on LDN you can go to these websites listed below:
ldnscience.org
idnresearchtrust.org
lowdosenaltrexone.org
I wish you all well!

dave130 | @dave130 | Apr 10, 2022

In reply to @debbie2021 "I have an Abbot my team is great it has only been 3weeks. My Dr said..." + (show)

Hi Debbie, Can you elaborate on where exactly your spinal condition is? 16 months ago I had decompression and fusion at C4 and C5. My neurosurgeon said I had incomplete SCI at this level of my spine. It causes painful neuropathy in my hands, arms, feet and legs. Hands and arms are the worst. I've been taking 300 mg Lyrica each day but need more pain relief. My Neurosurgeon said I am candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulator so naturally I am interested in your 90% pain relief but wondering what level yours is placed at. I have some concerns about SCS including the implant surgery of the device and if it causes discomfort. Thanks.

tarheel22 | @tarheel22 | Apr 11, 2022

I have had painful neuropathy in my hands and arms for over two years. I had two spinal fusions in 2019 and the pains have gotten progressively worse since the surgeries. I have been on Lyrica, Cymbalta and Methadone but pains continue and increasingly effectiving my daily living. Based on some genetic tests, my doctor is titrating me off of Cymbalta and will replace with Desvenlafaxine. Has anyone had experience with Desvenlafaxine treating chronic neuropathy?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 11, 2022

In reply to @tarheel22 "I have had painful neuropathy in my hands and arms for over two years. I had..." + (show)

Welcome @tarheel22, I'm sorry to hear your pain is making your daily living more difficult. @steve1960 has posted about taking Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-and-stiff-neck-with-pristiq/. I'm not sure @steve1960 is still following the discussion but may be able to share their experience with you.

I wasn't able to find other members who have mentioned the drug helping with neuropathy but I did see this 2017 article on the topic that you might find helpful --- Desvenlafaxine and neuropathic pain: additional clinical benefits of a second generation serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28229443/

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some information on different types of treatments for neuropathy that you might also find helpful - https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/.

Have you done any research into complementary or alternative treatments for neuropathy?

tarheel22 | @tarheel22 | Apr 11, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @tarheel22, I'm sorry to hear your pain is making your daily living more difficult. @steve1960..." + (show)

Have done IVIG and Ketamine injections and Scrambler treatments to no avail. Am currently considering a functional medicine program that includes strict diet (night shades restrictions) and cognitive behavioral therapy. Have not begun this program as I wanted to see if the change in medication might help.

kenc | @kenc | Apr 11, 2022

In reply to @tarheel22 "I have had painful neuropathy in my hands and arms for over two years. I had..." + (show)

Worked somewhat. But did not eliminate the pain.

tarheel22 | @tarheel22 | Apr 11, 2022

I also had a 7-day trial with a Spinal Cord Stimulator (Boston Scientific) which was not effective. Subsequently I was told by another doctor (anesthesiologist) that he was aware of some people who has not responded to a SCS trial but subsequently received some relief when a different manufacturer of the device was use. Can anyone verify that the result can be dependent on the make of the device, or is it dependent on the surgeon and his placement of the spinal cord stimulator? Wondering if I should consider another SCS trial?

callalloo | @callalloo | Apr 11, 2022

In reply to @tarheel22 "Have done IVIG and Ketamine injections and Scrambler treatments to no avail. Am currently considering a..." + (show)

If I can query, how did you find a functional medicine program and doctor? Is there a reliable national registry? Are they M,D.s but with a different approach? A lot of people report satisfaction with them after trying the more conventional protocols.