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Suggest An Alternative Medication For Lyrica Taken For Neuropathic Pain In Thigh
Question: For a few years i have been using prescribed lyrica for neuropathic pain in my thigh associated with central pain syndrome as a result of a T12 incomplete sci in 1986. I am now 45. This pain is like dipping my leg in a vat of boiling oil. Is there anything newer and more effective for this pain? I have taken neurontin before, but hated how it affected me mentally (I simply couldn't "find" my words). The pain gets so bad that I once herniated a cervical disk from simply tensing up from the pain. Any ideas that could help me?
Brief Answer:
Not exactly newer but antidepressants may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
In terms of some recent breakthrough medication for neuropathic pain, unfortunately there hasn't been any new addition in later years, no new effective drugs have been developed.
There are though other alternatives apart from anticonvulsants such as lyrics and gabapentin (which are 1st choice drugs anyway). The other option is antidepressants for neuropathic pain. Some representants include Duloxetine and Amitriptyline. These are also 1st line medication and can be tried if Lyrica or Gabapentin are not effective or cause significant side effects.
In case no medication works spinal cord stimulation procedure may be tried, but as it is an invasive procedure (which doesn't offer any guarantees for success) it is reserved only for really extreme cases.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Not exactly newer but antidepressants may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
In terms of some recent breakthrough medication for neuropathic pain, unfortunately there hasn't been any new addition in later years, no new effective drugs have been developed.
There are though other alternatives apart from anticonvulsants such as lyrics and gabapentin (which are 1st choice drugs anyway). The other option is antidepressants for neuropathic pain. Some representants include Duloxetine and Amitriptyline. These are also 1st line medication and can be tried if Lyrica or Gabapentin are not effective or cause significant side effects.
In case no medication works spinal cord stimulation procedure may be tried, but as it is an invasive procedure (which doesn't offer any guarantees for success) it is reserved only for really extreme cases.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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