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trying a new combo drug therapy
Neuropathy | Last Active: Jul 23, 2023 | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
I am experiencing similar symptoms. The pain, numbness, tingling started in one foot, then went to the other. Recently it has affected my ankles and calves. I'm on Lyrin=ca and Oxcarbazepine prescribed by by neurologist who is head of neurology at Columbia Hospital in NYC. It does tend to take the edge off and I don't wan to take more than the 300mg of each I've been on for a few years but it may become necessary. Generally, I feel less discomfort when I'm walking or working out. It hits like a ton of bricks when I lie down. I have a spinal cord stimulator but a got this due to a Morton's neuroma in one foot. It worked great during the trial bu not much afterwards, Plus you have to be careful not to turn it up to high or can overstimulate the nerves and make things worse. If you have the GRG implant, I'd be very interested in your opinion.
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@kingfish1952 and others
I did a DRG (dorsal root ganglion) trial but it was ineffective.
I switched from morphine to buprenorphine for 2 reasons. My doctor wouldn't prescribe a therapeutic dose, and it was a hassle getting a fresh prescription every 28 days. And Medicare gave me a hard time because I take Clonazepam for anxiety - only 1mg twice a day. But buprenorphine requires a visit to a pain doctor every 3 months. I titrated off it recently to assess it's effectiveness, and can't feel any change in the level of my pain. So, the doctor is now trying Topamax. I took 50mg last night and had the most pain relief I've had in years for 4 hours. Unfortunately, I contracted c-diff somewhere, so I'm in bed a lot, which is when my feet and ankles hurt the most. After 2 days of antibiotics I'm starting to regain a little strength, so I'm going to try to get outside and start a sprinkler and move it every hour. That doesn't take a ton of energy.
I have have high hopes for Topamax. I haven't yet studied up on it but I will soon. I only hope I don't have to go to a pain doctor to get it because that's an hour away.
People have done well with a DRG implant. I don't adjust my SCS - the Abbott rep does that when it's not doing its job. He's also looking into the possibility of extending the leads downward because of my height. You'd think they'd have thought of that in the first place.
About Mirtazapine - it may have off label uses, but I take as an adjunct to my primary antidepressant, Wellbutrin.
There are several things that sustain me. A God of great grace and love, time spent working in the yard when I don't notice the pain, a bunch of good, caring doctors, among many other things.
Jim