I have a lot of nerve pain and find narcotics to be fairly ineffective. I tried Neurontin, but it made so dizzy and 'hungover' in the morning that my eyes couldn't even focus. If I took it during the day, I wouldn't be alert or coordinated enough to work.

My doc told me that Lyrica is the same as Neurontin, but with something else added. After hearing the side effects...forget it!

Sorry I'm not much help.

Thanks, cherry. Did the Neurontin help for the nerve pain at least?

Sorry u can't sleep btw. I know how that is. Although, a Xanax usually helps make me drowsy.

I had great luck with Neurontin for about 6 months. Then I maxed out on dosage. I also went through the anti-depressants which helped but I had reactions to all of them. Now I am on anti-seizure meds. Jury is still out on these.

I also have a script for Oxycontin as needed. Because they make me so zoned out I only take a half at bedtime if I feel that I won't be able to sleep. THis is 2-3 times a month.

What has worked best is a heating pad at the end of the day. I live with alot of pain all day but I prefer that to being spaced out and unable to function at all. Next week I should be getting my TENS unit. I am hoping that this will offer some relief as well. If it does my neuro is thinking about an SCS trial.

I have nerve pain in my left leg and never tried any type of nerve pain meds I am on just opiates now. I think trying something would be a good idea and I only heard through being on here that lyica has made some people sort of tired and loopy and they did not like it. But of course everyone is different and you may have a great result.

I've had severe sciatica for 26 years, and nothing worked for me UNTIL I started the fentanyl patch and methadone. These two combos are great! What used to put me in bed is now just a nuisance. I can't believe the difference!! I'm so happy with this that I can't say enough about it. LOL

I'm also on Topamax for nerve pain, and while it helps with the burning & stinging it didn't help with the actual pain. I wish you the best of luck. God bless. hugs, Lee

I had nerve pain for about six months some years ago and I found that the narcotics that we tried did nothing to help it at all. What they did do was leave me addicted to them. By the time he was ready to try something else for the pain it had started to go away and was gone before he prescribed any of usual nerve drugs. It has not returned again and I am now off the narcotics and on other pain meds now and they are working betting any way.

I have some friends who use neurontin and/or lyrica and/or cymbalta and other drugs in that some class with varying degrees of success. I think it depends on the individual as to what will work. You might need to have patience and work through the meds that the doctor suggests. The alternative I think might be to live with the pain?

I took Lyrica for a couple wks. Gained weight,had swelling and felt overwhelmingly depressed. Finally went off it even though Dr. wanted me to try and stay on it longer........ ya, right?!! The pain mngt. Dr. put me on Neurotin, only thing I really noticed it did was put me to sleep. Also caused swelling "again", especially eyes so I stopped using it, should have known as it is very silular to Lyrica. As you may know, Im trying to get something worked out w/laser spinal institude as this is something that sounds promising and haven't tried it. If there's someone out there who has would you kindly give a report on it's effectivness,etc. Thanks so much. nrthngl4ever

When I was researching methadone on the internet, it stated that methadone has been proven effective in treating nerve pain moreso than other narcotics. I have been on it a little over a month and suffer from sciatica for four years now and it seems to be helping the pain more than the lyrica I was on. I used to not be able to get my right leg comfortable enough to stay asleep and I have noticed in the last couple weeks that I am able to stay asleep. That is a huge improvement to me. The lyrica always made me feel like I was in a fog and not fully aware of things. Didn't like it.

After having nerve pain from RSD for 12yrs now and going off of narcotic meds for a long time at least twice I realize I couldn't have any quality of life without them even tho I fear them and stay on the lowest dose possible. I've always had a healthy fear of them and I'm glad I have because if it's for life with no cure, think of age and how high can you go on doses?
I can't use it here but have tried it enough to know it works; do you live in a state where you could obtain medical marijuana? That with low doses of opiates doubles the pain relief esp from nerve pain. I've studied it for 10yrs for that reason and have tried it enough to know what it truly does but can't use it regularly or I would in very small doses using it and treating it just like any medication; not to get high.
If this is against your beliefs, I don't feel this is a fix all for everyone just like there is no one medication that fixes it all. I totally understand if it's against your beliefs.
Just thought I'd try to help & you could study it online like I have. Finally there are studies from the US showing how effective it is in treating nerve pain.
Whatever you do, I hope you find what works best for you

Yes, I am interested in marijuana. Have you tried it in the tablet form yet? I live in a med marijuana state but will soon be moving to a state where it isn't legal, booooooo to the Missouri government for that. I would still like to try it.

Nothing worked on my nerve pain until SCS. I'm so grateful to whoever invented these things 40 years ago.

Marinol is very expensive....about 12 dollars per pill!!

Ccbatson, do you know if marinol is supposed to help neuropathic pain? When I looked it up just now, it says it is prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting. I wonder if it is as effective for neuropathic pain as smoked marijuana is supposed to be.

Oh, and although I am pretty broke, I would still pay $12 per pill if it took away at least 30% of my neuropathic pain for a significant amount of time. Nerve pain is the worst!! I truly feel like I am in hell right now and that I must have done something horrible in a previous life. And my nerve pain isn't as bad as a lot of other people's.

hello...for my pain i had three choices: the patch,oxicotin,or morphine...i chose morphine.. so now my pain management is 15mg of morphine 2x a day, gabapentin 300mg 3x a day, and hydrocodone as needed. i hope you find the right combo...thank you for sharing your story

Part of my pain is nerve pain. I take oxycodone. It does help me to survive the day. The other drugs did not help me. My philosophy is to do what you have to do to survive.