After 16 months of post herpetic occipital and trigiminal neuralgia and no response with anti convulsants it may be time for opiates. I am very hesitant but can't stand the pain anymore . Has anyone had this med before?
Yes i was on them for over 2 years, I started on 50mg and went up to 75 x 4 per day very quickly as I became dependant very quick, they made me very confused, brain fog, couldn't sleep, lost 2 stone and I'm under weight anyway so I looked so ill, anyway I persisted and they did help with pain for a while but then I started to go into withdrawal 2 hours before each dose and thought no way am I upping again because what happens when I get to my max dose, I put up with it for a year and then decided it's time to come off this and it was pure hell, my opinion is that all opioids help for a while and iv been on quite a few with the same effect eventually but you either end up zombied or going through hell to come off them, sorry nothing positive but this was my experience on them, I'm still in chronic pain and struggle with it mentally and physically daily but I'm just living each day as it comes and hoping tomorrow will be better, I'm sorry your suffering and hope you find something that works for you, good luck 😊
Opiates create physiological dependency and in some emotional dependency leading to addiction.
You should discuss your options with a neurologist. Other treatments are available.
hugs
Thanks for
Your reply. Yes as a reg nurse i do have a good awareness of the dependency of opiates and benzos . ... That is why I have avoided them for so long. I have tried 3 different anticonvulsants to no
Avail, just horrid side effects. Ordinary over the counter and prescription analgesics do not work at all and the long term effects of them on your other organs are not good. A second neurologist suggested trialling palexia for for one month but still I am wary. I am from Australia and medical cannibis oil is not available yet for chronic pain. Has anyone or yourself tried it and has it been effective? Thanks for your support
many say it is...even the parents of small children with horific disease.
Palexia tablets contain the active ingredient tapentado which is an opiod.
How about Neurotin-gabapentin?
or Lyrica-pregabalin, even a steroid burst.
Yes I have tried steroids as well as the three anti convulsants, Lyrica, gabapentin and Tegretolwith no pain relief . Mine appears to be Atypical which I believe is harder to treat
wow, I am so very sorry
Yes I was on them for 2 years they initially work but line all opioids you eventually have to up the dose, there are side effects when you first take them, insomnia, brain fog which actually stays with you, extreme weight loss and more but I came off them which had horrendous withdrawals, as for MM I have tried it but it done nothing for my pain however there are more stronger versions coming through but a bit pricey at the mo so will have to wait a while to try
Thanks. Good and bad days. Grateful every day