Has anyone tried anti-depressant medication for neuropathic pain?

Welcome @pammlish - I did a search of Connect and wasn't able to find a member who posted about a percutaneous ultrasound-guided needle-knife surgery for a bulging lumbar disc but there is another discussion with members that may have looked into the procedure.

-- Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: Questions as I prepare for surgery:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/endoscopic-discectomy-surgery-questions/
Are you thinking about having the procedure done?

I'm considering it. I'll keep you posted if I do . Please let me know if you do as well. Johnmacc

I usually get a good night’s rest just from my Pregabalin and a little bump with Ativan. It’s the day times that are wearing me out with pain.

Tried taking Cymbalta with the Pregabalin and felt worse.

Next I’m going to try the Spinal Cord Stimulator, I think. It has been recommended by my neurosurgeon.

I’m having problems with both of these.

Good evening. You are absolutely right, PN or SFN (small fiber neuropathy) is a progressive condition. Since my diagnosis 9 years ago, my feet have gone from being consistently sturdy and comfortable to being one of my "quality of life issues".

In order to keep my driver's license I have two MFR (myofascial release) sessions every week and use a cannabis balm at night. There are solution possibilities available now and you will undoubtedly see more developments in the future.

What type of clinician would I choose again......a neurologist with a passion for discovering solutions. I have had very good care from the two I have seen.

You are gathering information now that will help you on this journey. That's a good thing.
And that is what makes Connect such a great resource. More questions?

Chris

When my dentist heard that I had peripheral neuropathy and gabapentin wasn’t helping too much, he suggested I ask my doctor about Cymbalta. I did and she prescribed it for me. I get it as duloxitine. It is really a boost to helping with my pain. I take it in the morning with my gabapentin to get through my day. But even with both it didn’t help much on Thanksgiving as I was cooking and serving and cleaning up all day and could hardly walk by evening time.

Hi Chris,
I find myself giving up on looking for ways to help myself. The good news is that I don't have a lot of pain, the bad is with my feet, legs and arms so numb, my quality of life is a huge issue. I'm almost 70, and would like to somehow keep a somewhat normal lifestyle. Where do you find "a neurologist with a passion for discovering solutions"? All I've received is Gabapentin and when I asked what is being done, the answer (in 2020) was not much because of COVID. I was also told that most people should look at nephropathy as a "mild inconvenience". No not really, it's changed my whole active life. He's a very nice man, but I haven't gone back. I look here and there are so many different treatments, and opinions that I feel overwhelmed. I've become too tired to even look for answers anymore. Again ideas clinics or neurologists or trials would be greatly appreciated.

Christine (Chris)

Good evening @christine7, I have taken some time to get to know you a bit by reading your posts. I have walked down the same path as you have and ended up slightly confused and even frightened. For me, the pain is much more cumbersome than the numbness and tingling of my SFN (small fiber neuropathy). Last week our grandchildren came up from Texas. At 3 and 6 they are discovering the world and I love being invited to play games and puzzles with them. I have a Pop-up Book collection that started with my older granddaughters and we read all of them again and again.

When I joined Connect as a caregiver for my life partner, I didn't know anything about neuropathy. And in general, I have had little interest in medicine. However, I am now so grateful that in the last 5 years I have learned more about my body at 80 than I could have imagined.

It is the knowledge Chris that gives you the power to make decisions about your health conditions. I have learned so much from my MFR (myofascial release therapy). therapists. And even more from Connect members, mentors, and moderators.

My first Neurologist was very kind and helpful. He explained all the tests and introduced me to SFN with the punch skin biopsy. I am fortunate to have two friends who are nurses and they have done some handholding and a great deal of explaining.

I found my current Neurologist at Mayo Clinic. At this time I am still learning to be able to identify just what is going on and why. I will return to Mayo next week for more "muscle power" tests because I have been experiencing what I call "giveaway" falls. With sudden onset, my legs will just stop working.

At this point, you are the first one to whom I have introduced this new issue. I too become discouraged and a bit frightened. It may not even be neuropathy. However, my rules for myself are pretty strict. Be positive and responsive.

Learn everything you can even if you need a medical dictionary to figure things out.
Make an effort every day to pay attention and do what is recommended.
Live in the present moment.....also called being mindful.
Find some joy in every day, e.g. a flying squirrel just began appearing at the bird feeder.
My meditation group will be joining me for a "show and tell" evening about Holiday memories on Friday.

So...life goes on and time seems to go by so quickly. Don't miss the great times. Enjoy a reasonable and positive quality of life.

I will be waiting for your response. How can I help you?
Chris

I am Debra. I have neuropathy also falling. So I walk with a walker. Am very frighten that I will be in wheel chair soon. I go ti a neurologist tomorrow to find out what's going on.

Just your response has helped, thanks Chris. I sometimes forget to look at the little positive things, and they are there and have helped me through a lot of tough times in my life. I finally found someone else who gets excited about who shows up at the bird feeder (I have flying squirrels too)! I am very fortunate to have a husband who pushes me to keep looking and learning. It was good for me to hear it from another person. I'm not sure what my next step will be, today it is going to be trying to go for a walk in an indoor facility in our area. I think the help I need is to stay active, and that's on me. Thanks so much again for the inspiration, it helped me during a bad moment. Chris