Guide to Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition that effects nerve sensitivity resulting from diabetes or trauma that leads to tissue damage. Neuropathic pain can best be described as phantom pain felt in the missing arm of an amputee patient. The nervous system is triggering a pain response that can lead to extreme immobility and disability if left untreated. Beyond trauma to tissue, alcoholism, chemotherapy, shingles and AIDS can lead to neuropathic pain issues.

Diagnosis

• There are four distinct symptoms of neuropathic pain: shooting pain, a burning sensation, tingling and numbness in the extremity in question. While neuropathic pain is not limited to arms and legs, it is most often associated with the extremities, because these are most vulnerable to tissue damage with limited nerve networks that misfire causing pain. Doctors diagnose neuropathic pain conditions by first doing an elaborate interview and medical history. Documented tissue damage makes the diagnosis easier since there is not a test that can physically see the problem but may confirm other tissue damage to help detect the source of pain. Your doctor will want to know when the pain occurs and if there are any specific triggers that cause it.

Managing Pain

• Since this is a medical condition that triggers pain for tissue that no longer exists, it is difficult for doctors to treat. Doctors will first want to know what level of pain you are in. If you can manage the pain with anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers, this is the preferred method of treatment. Acupuncture and chiropractic treatments are also used to reduce pain. However, neuropathic pain often worsens over time, and over-the-counter pain relievers become ineffective. In these cases, stronger medicines and procedures are explored.

Drugs

• Stronger medications can be used for more severe pain cases. These include prescription medications that contain codeine and morphine. These medications are narcotics and highly addictive; thus, they are not a great alternative for chronic pain suffers. Neurologists also recommend anti-convulsing drugs for some patients depending on their history. This may reduce or increase pain and must be closely monitored. The same is true for some antidepressant drugs that affect serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

Nerve Blocker and Implants

• In the most extreme cases, nerve blocks and epidural treatments may be used to dull the sensitivity of the nerves. This may have an adverse effect on the ability to use the extremity but reduces pain. There are also surgical procedures that place an implant that has wires with metallic electrodes in the epidural space. This device is controlled by the patient to reduce pain when it is most severe.