Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
Hi everyone,
I'm on here as my wife has Psoriatic Arthritis as well as just diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. She also has Bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, anaemia and asthma.
She is currently in constant pain and to be honest has been since diagnosed with the arthritis over 7 years ago. She has recently (last few weeks) been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, mainly affecting her feet at present, but her fingers are starting to get affected as well.
The arthritis at times has been under control. Currently on Methotrexate for it as well as an anti-inflammatory. Humira and Enbrel worked but kept getting chest infections so had to be taken off them.
She developed anaemia several years ago which has been treated with iron tablets but not brought fully under control. The haematologist is blaming Methotrexate so they are going to take her off it, in the meantime have taken her off the iron tablets - doesn't make sense to me !
A lot of the drugs that they say help peripheral neuropathy she either can't have like tricyclic antidepressants as they make the bipolar worse, or one's she is already on for other conditions such as sodium valporate as a mood stabilizer, so they obviously aren't helping with the neuropathy.
They are thinking the arthritis is to blame for the neuropathy, but ruling everything else out as well.
She has only been given 60mg of codeine to take at night for the pain and that is barely touching it, just making her very spaced out.
Anybody else on here with peripheral neuropathy (especially in the United Kingdom) that wouldn't mind sharing what medication you take for it, and whether it works or not.
I am more and more finding over here at least in the UK, you have to do your research and go to the doctors with a list of what you want to try etc, otherwise you don't get anywhere - sad state of affairs when you have to basically doctor yourself, and just get the doctor to prescribe it, but that's the way it is seeming over here.
I'm keen to help her to get on top of the pain quickly, as it's have a detrimental effect on her depression and we had a really bad time September 09 with her depression and bipolar, and believe me I have no intention of letting it get that bad again.
Any advice appreciated.
I'm on here as my wife has Psoriatic Arthritis as well as just diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. She also has Bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, anaemia and asthma.
She is currently in constant pain and to be honest has been since diagnosed with the arthritis over 7 years ago. She has recently (last few weeks) been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, mainly affecting her feet at present, but her fingers are starting to get affected as well.
The arthritis at times has been under control. Currently on Methotrexate for it as well as an anti-inflammatory. Humira and Enbrel worked but kept getting chest infections so had to be taken off them.
She developed anaemia several years ago which has been treated with iron tablets but not brought fully under control. The haematologist is blaming Methotrexate so they are going to take her off it, in the meantime have taken her off the iron tablets - doesn't make sense to me !
A lot of the drugs that they say help peripheral neuropathy she either can't have like tricyclic antidepressants as they make the bipolar worse, or one's she is already on for other conditions such as sodium valporate as a mood stabilizer, so they obviously aren't helping with the neuropathy.
They are thinking the arthritis is to blame for the neuropathy, but ruling everything else out as well.
She has only been given 60mg of codeine to take at night for the pain and that is barely touching it, just making her very spaced out.
Anybody else on here with peripheral neuropathy (especially in the United Kingdom) that wouldn't mind sharing what medication you take for it, and whether it works or not.
I am more and more finding over here at least in the UK, you have to do your research and go to the doctors with a list of what you want to try etc, otherwise you don't get anywhere - sad state of affairs when you have to basically doctor yourself, and just get the doctor to prescribe it, but that's the way it is seeming over here.
I'm keen to help her to get on top of the pain quickly, as it's have a detrimental effect on her depression and we had a really bad time September 09 with her depression and bipolar, and believe me I have no intention of letting it get that bad again.
Any advice appreciated.
They put me on gabapentin several times a day, and now that that has built up in my system I no longer jump and scream when someone looks as if they are going to touch my feet. I am not heading out to get a pedicure any time soon, nor asking someone for a footrub, but my dog can jump up on the couch or bed next to me again without acting like he is in trouble.
Much love and understanding,
Lisa
I do not have ANY side effects from it - except in the beginning I lost 10 lbs. which was good! Other than that, I have had NO problems with the drug. Why not ask the doc if she can take it too? It's worth a try. Best of luck and God bless. You're a nice guy to help her. Take care. Hugs, Lee
Geminilee not heard of gabapentin, will look into it. Saw GP (pdoc) today and given her some oralmorph to take just for now, until they get to the bottom of the cause. It's not a B12 deficiency and it's not Diabetes, so it's looking like it's linked to the arthritis, which currently isn't under control. Seeing rheumatologist on 14th, so may get some answers then.
Thanks again everyone for your suggestions and ideas, just trying to get all the information I can for when we see specialists etc.
Much love and understanding,
Lisa
There are many people on this site from the UK...they pop up frequently so it might take a few days for your post to get through "the rounds"
My daughter has not been diagnosed with bi-polar...but is being treated for the condition along with mood disorder, depression, anxiety. She is currently on Abilify and Clonazepam for the mental health. She is also prescribed percoset for pain due to headaches that cripple her. She was on Topirimate / Topomax , but like your wife...it caused more problems than it helped.
Many here have said that gabapentin is the "wonder drug"...also, several have talked about the SCS implant for the pain in their legs and feet. Some have had good results and some have not. Since it affects her hands too...an SCS might not be the choice, I don't know.
I hope you can find what you are looking for. I would also like to say that I think you are a wonderful person and spouse to try and find some help for your wife. My prayers are with you both for strength and help. Take Care.
Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica, Cymbalta, Topomax are usually Rx'd.
I agree trying magnesium may help. Epsom salt baths + magnesium malate pills (also called magnesium with malic acid.) Take about 2500 mg internally per day.