Experiences on nerve medication needed please!

[miserableandworried]

I’ve been having nerve pain in the skin of my left labia, bum cheek and left shin for over 3 months. I sporadically get it in my left hand too. All manner of blood tests performed etc and nothing has shown up.

Thr drs just shrug and say I don’t know what is causing this, here’s some pills.

The thing is, I’m really worried about side effects and addiction for the simple fact that when DH did his back in, the osteopath and the A&E doctor said don’t ever go on amitriptilne/gabapentin etc as people become full blow drug addictions!

I feel like this was totally far fetched as millions of people take these meds everyday, so I’d really like to hear people’s experiences of either of these drugs before I pick one.

My experience may not be typical.

When I was prescribed amitriptyline to try to stop me grinding my teeth at night, the first night I took it I dreamed that a friend had died. The second time, it was my brother in law who died. The third night it was my dad and I woke up with the pillow absolutely sodden from crying.

There was no fourth night.

(edit - typo)

Amitryptiline isn’t addictive. I’ve been off and one it for years. It’s the oldest antidepressant ( now used for pain) with tons of data on it. I can stop taking it alll at once. Makes me eat though.

Gabapentin/Pregabalin are addictive however. However they work really well!

I’m on a lose dose of amitypyline for nerve pain in my left hand. First night I felt fuzzy the next day, detached from my body. Since then I have been fine. I haven’t turned into a full blown drug addict or a drug addict at all.

I think they were fibbing a bit, amitriptyline is not addictive (but does need to be tapered off) Gabapentin can be, but I have yet to meet someone who has become a drug addict due to it, again you just taper off.

I’m a nurse, and you probably have heard before but everyone reacts differently to both drugs. I myself am on amitriptyline for nerve pains in my leg and back- I didn’t find it addictive previously, but it gives me terrible insomnia although it’s supposed to make you sleepy. I have noticed a positive affect on my mood too. Vape tin is t addictive as such- it’s more that your body becomes resistant to it so you need something more, but these drugs aren’t actually intended for long term use so that’s why! Gabapentin gave me migraines but a lot of people find it affective. I would say amitriptyline has less known side effects in my opinion.

I had a trapped nerve in my neck and arm. Most excruciating, relentless pain I've ever suffered and nothing touched it! I found out about amitriptyline online and asked my GP if we could try it. I'd also read that the side effects initially could be extreme but the pain was so bad I gritted my teeth and persevered, building up the dose gradually till I found the one that worked..40mg for me. The nightmares, sleep disturbance and dizzy spells were extreme but the pain was worse so I put my life on hold to hang on in there. They recommend taking it at night to help you sleep but it had the opposite effect on me so I'd take it in the morning to give my brain a chance to calm down by nighttime. Didn't drive for a month because of the dizzy spells..but after a few weeks the pain went, side effects disappeared totally. I tried to reduce the dose after nine months but the pain came straight back so carried on taking them. Six months later I had another go tapering the dose down and there was no pain this time, or withdrawal symptoms. I'd take it again in a heartbeat.

I took 50mg Amitriptyline for vulval pain. Didn’t work but I didn’t get any side effects other than a dry mouth. Helped me sleep at night but not sleepy during the day.

Thanks everyone for your help. I’m feeling a bit wary about starting meditation but if this doesn’t stop soon, I’m going to have to at least try it.

I'd really recommend trying it but be prepared to give it a good few weeks to build up to the right dose and for the side effects to disappear (they do) It does take time to settle in your system but it's well worth it if your pain is unbearable and nothing else is working.

I have facial nerve pain. Carbamazepine left me unable to function due to nasty side effects. Gabapentin is so much better. I've been on it for about 11 years now. No side effects for me, but my sister couldn't get on with it and I'm aware that a lot of people tolerate different nerve pain meds better than others.

I was on amitriptyline but didn’t like the side effects. I am now on Gabapentin and it works brilliantly for me with no side effects. Yes you need to build up or reduce slowly. I have been on high doses and low doses depending on my flare ups. Obviously would prefer not to be using it but it works and I can’t live with being in pain all the time.

Been on Gabapentin over two years. 300 mls a day. I often forget the lunchtime one. Haven't noticed anything. It's a low dose but helps with the scoliosis and arthritis in my lumbar region. GP is happy, more concerned about my cocodamol and not to take more than four a day.

I've taken amitriptyline. It isn't addictive, I just felt very groggy in the morning. Also tried pregablin which I believe is more addictive than gabapentin. It did take me a while to taper off it but in the meantime was the only thing that stopped my nerve pain and after I'd been on it a year I tapered off and the pain didn't come back.

Is it worth pushing to see a neurologist though? Not sure the GP should just be giving you pain medication without trying to figure out what is causing it in the first place.

Honestly @TheSixthBestOption that’s what I want the GP to do, find out what is going on. Because the pain is not really following a path way, ie sometimes it’s in my hand as well as my left lower side, he just said “I don’t know what it is”.

I have another appointment on Thursday so will try and push to see a neurologist.