Medications for Chronic Nerve Pain
Nerve pain can be a serious medical condition and sometimes requires treatment by a physician. But luckily there are oral medications commonly used to help manage the pain and may be prescribed, with effectiveness varying from person to person.
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Chronic Nerve Pain Symptoms
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Chronic is defined as marked by long duration, by frequent recurrence over a long time. Nerve pain, or neuropathy, can be described as burning, shooting, like an electric shock, tingling, or severe. Chronic nerve pain is a difficult condition, and intensity may vary from sensitivity to touch to hypersensitivity to things like a paper cut.
Treatment Through Medication
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Chronic nerve pain can be difficult to treat, as the cause of the pain is not always known and may vary from person to person. It can be debilitating, causing the sufferer to seek out treatment. Physicians are educated about different medications and how those medications may be appropriate for the patient.
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Neurontin and Lyrica
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Lyrica or Neurontin are commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of chronic neuropathy. They are classified as anti-seizure medication, but have been shown to work on nerve pain and are prescribed "off-label" by physicians. Lyrica and Neurontin are taken orally and are capable of binding to the nerve and helping block nerves carry the pain signal to one another.
Narcotics
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The use of narcotics are often prescribed by physicians to help combat chronic nerve pain. Some narcotics that are used are Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin or Norco. Narcotics work by helping a patient disassociate from the pain and can be used in addition to medications like Lyrica and Neurontin.
Other Medications
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Depending on the patient and the nature of the neuropathy, other medications may be used in addition to the primary prescriptions of Lyrica or Neurontin and/or narcotics. These can include but are not limited to muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory or NSAIDs, oral steroids, or acetaminophen. Ultram, a narcotic type medication that does not carry the potential of addiction, allows long-term use without building a tolerance.
Side Effects and Physicians
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It is vital to discuss all medications with a physician before beginning treatment. Side effects vary from medication to medication, and some may interfere with another. Side effects range from minimal, like dizziness or stomach ache, drowsiness, to severe, like rash, allergic reaction or respiratory arrest. Some may carry the risk for addiction, so it is important to use medications under a doctor's care.
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