“When over-the-counter pain medications do not relieve the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy, other types of medications, nerve blocks, & therapies, including prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, antidepressants, topical medications,” & surgical procedures, can be recommended by an experienced Pain Specialist [1]
Research shows that a number of anti-depressant drugs can ameliorate long-term pain. Moreover, these pharmaceuticals could also improve quality of sleep, and lessen pain. And in some instances, antidepressants work by dealing with the concomitant depression which renders long term-pain harder to deal with [1]. Such medications include:
• SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). These are a new form of antidepressant drugs for treating neuropathic pain. They work by restoring the brain’s nerve cells’ chemical balance
• SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors). These pharmaceuticals impact the brain’s cells and inhibit the generation and release of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine)
• Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors. These drugs impact the brain’s nerve cells, and prevent
the reuse of certain neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine), an action which can balance the brain’s chemicals and thus alleviate depression
• SRMs (Serotonin Receptor Modulators). These pharmaceuticals act to achieve chemical balance in the brain by raising available levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, thus enabling them to send messages to other nerves [1].
Neuropathic Pain Medications
There is a broad choice of neuropathic pain medications on the market. This include: Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Gabapentin (Neurontin), Lidocaine patches, and so on [1].
Corticosteroids
“Corticosteroids can greatly reduce & may eliminate pain for extended periods of time” [1]
These anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals can ameliorate the serious pain linked with nerve inflammation and irritation. They can be injected directly into the painful parts of the body, or taken orally [1].
Anaesthetic Nerve Blocks
“Non-surgical nerve blocks involve injection of a medication around a specific nerve or bundle of nerves. The medication prevents the nerves’ impulses from reaching the central nervous system & making you feel pain” [2]
Pain Specialists administer this treatment in order to ameliorate pain, and understand where the nerve pain is emanating from. When the nerve block works, it can help to pinpoint the affected nerves, and thus result in better treatment [1].
Booking a Consultation
Whether you have a consultation online or in-person, your Pain Specialist will review your medical history, and ask you to give details about your symptoms. To that end, keeping a daily ‘Pain Diary,’ is very useful, and can be presented to the doctor on your appointments. If you have an in-person visit, then you will be given a comprehensive examination. All options which are suitable for your individual condition, will be discussed, and your doctor will devise a personalized treatment plan.
References
[1]. The Foundation For Peripheral Neuropathy (2021).
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatments | the Foundation for PN
[2]. Cafasso, J. (2018). Healthline.
Nerve Block: Neck, Types, and Permanent (healthline.com)
