“Neuropathic pain is often described as a shooting or burning pain. It can go away on its own but is often chronic. Sometimes it is unrelenting & severe, and sometimes it comes and goes. It is often the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. The impact of nerve damage is a change in nerve function both at the site of the injury & areas around it [1]
So What Causes Neuropathic Pain?
While there is often no obvious reason behind a patient’s naturopathic pain, there are nonetheless, a number of common causes. These comprise:
• AIDS
• Alcoholism
• Amputation
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Facial nerve issues
• HIV
• Multiple myeloma
• Multiple sclerosis
• Shingles
• Spinal cord or nerve compression from arthritis or herniated discs in the spine
• Spinal surgery
• Syphilis
• Thyroid issues [1].
What Sort of Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
Common symptoms of neuropathic pain include:
• Shooting and burning
• Numbness and tingling [1]
Getting a Correct Diagnosis From a Renowned Pain Specialist
“A multidisciplinary approach that combines therapies, can be a very effective way to provide relief from neuropathic pain” [1]
Experienced Pain Specialists have spent many years in the field of neuropathic pain, both in a hospital and clinic setting, and to that end, unlike general practitioners (GPs), they are more able to give an accurate diagnosis. This is crucial so that, after the Pain Doctor has reviewed your medical history, asked your various questions relating to your pain, and undertaken any necessary examinations, scans and tests (such as blood and nerve tests); they can devise a holistic Personalised Treatment Plan. This may involve more than one modality, and could incorporate both conventional, and the latest state-of-the-art treatments.
Drawing Up a ‘Pain Diary’
This will be a great asset when you visit a Pain Specialist, both on the initial consultation, and on all follow-up appointments. Firstly, organise the Pain Diary so that it has a section for each day, and every hour of that day (so it should have 24 slots for each hour). Then all you have to do, is to make a brief note of the type of pain you are experiencing, and what you were doing at the time, next to the hour in question. For example, you may have a shooting pain and numbness several times around 12 noon, over a span of about 10 minutes. – And then it subsides for a few hours. So make a note that these sensations lasted for around 10 minutes.
You should also make a note of anything that ameliorates your pain, and what makes it worse. It would also be helpful if you wrote out a brief history of how difficult your pain has been, and how it has affected you. Pain Consultants are vary understanding, and they are there to do the very best for you, to get you back to optimum health.
Reference
[1]. Wheeler, T. (2021). “Neuropathic Pain Management.” WebMD
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/neuropathic-
