Having chronic pain for extended periods (years) can certainly lead to depression. Some anti depressants actually can help relieve certain types of pain. It helps with my Peripheral Neuropathy. I'm trying to get even more pain relief with medical mj.
Thanks for the links in your initial post. Best starting help we've found. Lots and lots of tests with the head of muscular neurology concluding it's idiopathic - unknown in origin. Are there other senior citizens with further, somewhat more technical resources?
Welcome to Connect, @bobe.
Perhaps I or other members can help find more resources for you. Can you explain what you mean by "more technical resources"? Are you looking for studies about peripheral neuropathy incidence in the elderly?
Peripheral neuropathy kicked in around 5 years ago. I've been receiving treatment for depression for around 15 years. I can tell when the ipn is affecting the depression, for sure. When my feet burn and hurt all day, it certainly doesn't help my mood. I take Bupropion for depression, Klonopin for anxiety, and Cymbalta for peripheral neuropathy. I'm weaning off morphine sulfate contin to see if the Cymbalta will work on its own. I take Oxycodone and Orphenadrine, as well. I'm going to look at the link ColleenYoung gave above about medical marijuana.
I REPEAT: *TOO MANY CNS DEPRESSANTS! WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK MARIJUANA IS<br>A PANACEA??*<br><br><br>*U DID NOT INDICATE HOW MANY MG/DAY OF GABA YOU'RE TAKING?*<br>
I have had Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy for about 10 years (am currently 70). It started shortly after I suffered a neck injury and subsequent 3 level cervical fusion. It started with unbearable burning/tingling in both feet progressing to severe pain/numbness in both feet. I also get severe shooting pains emanating from both feet. I currently take Lyrica (300 mg 3-4 times daily (a lot), and Cymbalta 25 mg daily as well as Tylenol and Advil as needed. I also took Morphine 25mg daily and Tramadol (can't remember dose) for 8 years until going thru Mayo's Pain Rehab program a year ago. They got me off the Opioids and taught me alternative ways to manage/cope with my pain. Coping with pain sounds easy until you are the one having it. I do pretty well with that, but my pain limits my activity level a lot. My primary physician has recommended medical marijuana and I have been referred to a center. Have ANY of you tried Marijuana for your pain? If so, I would love to get your opinions on it.
Hi @ujeeniack,
In my opinion, members of Connect are having an intelligent conversation about pain medication options -- what works for each person and what doesn't. Medical marijuana and CBD are discussed as potential options, along with more standard options. As new options such as marijuana, CBD or manufactured drugs come to market, they are explored, questioned, researched and discussed. No one is claiming that marijuana is the panacea or the answer to everyone's pain management. Members are questioning and educating themselves in order to have well-informed conversations with their care providers.
Jack, may I recommend that you not write in ALL CAPS? We discourage the use of all caps because they are considered shouting in online communications. You can read more about online etiquette in our Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/community-guidelines/
I've had this for at least 10 years/ Gabapentin has made the 24/7 extreme tingling in my feet bearable & I'm grateful fpr it' Cause has not been determined I don't fall in any of the usual categories, and am told about 25 percent of cases cannot be traced to specific cause.
I now have Atrophie Blanche - no known effective treatment of ankle & foot - dpn't know if that's in this grroup - but would welcome info for pain relief -
- it's sometimes extreme & much worse than the pn pain.
/ Superwife
Don't know why I didn't think to ask before today! Duh! Several weeks ago, the day before I had a huge kidney stone removed under general anesthesia, I started to get my 3rd bout with Shingles. I had the vaccine, which probably muted some of the usual symptoms. My PCP put me on Valtrex and my dermatologist added Gebapentin a couple of days later. By then the Valtrex had done a number on my head so when I got the Gabapentin, I only took the first dose and then quit both when I read the side effects of Gaba were similiar to the Valtrex. Currently all my Shingle sores have healed up but I still have some discomfort. Now I am wondering if just one dose of Gaba/day would do what Valtrex did to me, yet calm the discomfort? I still have 59 doses left! That was no fun as I was even afriad to drive more than a couple of miles to see the MDs. l. I'm open to all suggestions from those who have survived similar problems. @gailfaith
LOOK AT NEUROLOGY NOW AND NEUROLOGY TODAY FOR RELEVBANT ARTICLES, SUCH<br>AS *CHIARI FORMATION AND SYRINX FOR IDIOPATHIC *<br>*PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY.*<br>
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Having chronic pain for extended periods (years) can certainly lead to depression. Some anti depressants actually can help relieve certain types of pain. It helps with my Peripheral Neuropathy. I'm trying to get even more pain relief with medical mj.
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1 ReactionWelcome to Connect, @bobe.
Perhaps I or other members can help find more resources for you. Can you explain what you mean by "more technical resources"? Are you looking for studies about peripheral neuropathy incidence in the elderly?
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1 ReactionWelcome @superwife.
A couple of members @angelasmom and @famalvar75gmailcom have talked about atrophie blanche in the past in this discussion thread:
Livedoid vasculopathy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/livedoid-vasculopathy/
Or you might wish to join @mlemieux or @gonefishinmt here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-am-looking-for-outcomes-in-the-use-of-blood-thinners-in/
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1 ReactionPeripheral neuropathy kicked in around 5 years ago. I've been receiving treatment for depression for around 15 years. I can tell when the ipn is affecting the depression, for sure. When my feet burn and hurt all day, it certainly doesn't help my mood. I take Bupropion for depression, Klonopin for anxiety, and Cymbalta for peripheral neuropathy. I'm weaning off morphine sulfate contin to see if the Cymbalta will work on its own. I take Oxycodone and Orphenadrine, as well. I'm going to look at the link ColleenYoung gave above about medical marijuana.
Thanks. I'll try to remember to when I get home from the day in town. I'm<br>going to ask the pain specialist about it in about 2 hours.<br><br>
I REPEAT: *TOO MANY CNS DEPRESSANTS! WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK MARIJUANA IS<br>A PANACEA??*<br><br><br>*U DID NOT INDICATE HOW MANY MG/DAY OF GABA YOU'RE TAKING?*<br>
Would you care to tell me about your neck injury. My wife has symptoms and circumstances similar to yours and is of a similar age.
Hi @ujeeniack,
In my opinion, members of Connect are having an intelligent conversation about pain medication options -- what works for each person and what doesn't. Medical marijuana and CBD are discussed as potential options, along with more standard options. As new options such as marijuana, CBD or manufactured drugs come to market, they are explored, questioned, researched and discussed. No one is claiming that marijuana is the panacea or the answer to everyone's pain management. Members are questioning and educating themselves in order to have well-informed conversations with their care providers.
Jack, may I recommend that you not write in ALL CAPS? We discourage the use of all caps because they are considered shouting in online communications. You can read more about online etiquette in our Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/community-guidelines/
Thanks
Colleen
Connect Community Director
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3 ReactionsDon't know why I didn't think to ask before today! Duh! Several weeks ago, the day before I had a huge kidney stone removed under general anesthesia, I started to get my 3rd bout with Shingles. I had the vaccine, which probably muted some of the usual symptoms. My PCP put me on Valtrex and my dermatologist added Gebapentin a couple of days later. By then the Valtrex had done a number on my head so when I got the Gabapentin, I only took the first dose and then quit both when I read the side effects of Gaba were similiar to the Valtrex. Currently all my Shingle sores have healed up but I still have some discomfort. Now I am wondering if just one dose of Gaba/day would do what Valtrex did to me, yet calm the discomfort? I still have 59 doses left! That was no fun as I was even afriad to drive more than a couple of miles to see the MDs. l. I'm open to all suggestions from those who have survived similar problems. @gailfaith
LOOK AT NEUROLOGY NOW AND NEUROLOGY TODAY FOR RELEVBANT ARTICLES, SUCH<br>AS *CHIARI FORMATION AND SYRINX FOR IDIOPATHIC *<br>*PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY.*<br>