Pain is not easy to endure. It could really interfere with your daily activities and even prevent you from enjoying life. These days, there are already so many ways to ease pain. Varieties of nerve pain medication are prescribed and used to manage and control pain discomfort. So pain that is caused by shingles, HIV, cancer, injuries, or any other underlying disease can now be remedied.
There are several types of nerve pain medication that doctors give their patients depending on the types of pain:
1. Antidepressants
Yes, antidepressants can be used as a nerve pain medication. This is actually a primary choice for neuropathic pain treatment. Tricyclic antidepressants is one of the common antidepressants prescribed to ease pain. Its side effects are stomach upsets, blurred vision, constipation, and dizziness. This should not be taken by people with heart conditions. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a bit new in controlling nerve pain. These have fewer side effects but may be less effective than tricyclic nerve pain medication. It is safer to use especially for older patients with heart conditions. Pain increases when you’re depressed so antidepressants get rid of pain in more than one way.
2. Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants is a types of nerve pain medication that can be used to help people, though it may seem like a very grave resort. This is a first choice in controlling pain for people with seizures or epilepsy. Anticonvulsants in this case dull the pain but side effects are nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness. But take note that not all anticonvulsants can help. It is individualized as prescribed by your doctor.
3. Pain killers (topical)
For localized pain, topical nerve pain medication is best prescribed. They come in the form of patches and gels. You could just apply this on the spot of pain and not ingest it. Minor side effects such as skin irritation can be expected.
4. Pain killers (oral)
There are myriads of oral nerve pain medication that take care of pain from mild to severe. If the nerve pain is severe, there are opioids that can really help. This is nerve pain medication is not usually prescribed because of the side effects that it has such as constipation, sedation, and upset stomach. You could also become easily addicted to this nerve pain medication
5. Combination
Combination nerve pain medication can also be prescribed. The physician may tell you to take more than one type of nerve pain medication to achieve optimal results. This is said to be a better approach to dealing with nerve pain than just using one nerve pain medication at a time.
In taking nerve pain medication, you should always remember to keep an eye for interactions with other medications or supplements that you use. Make a list or bring your used containers for reference. Never rely on hunches when it comes to taking nerve pain medication. You should always follow the directions given by your doctor. If side effects come about, immediately tell your doctor. Dosages might be altered so that these side effects might be resolved.
Aside from these nerve pain medication types, there are also non-medical treatments for nerve pain such as electronic stimulation (rTMS, TENS, PENS,). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) makes use of magnets in sending electrical stimulation to your brain. This helps control the pain by targeting the pain center. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a technique that uses a small apparatus that transmits soft electric currents by skin contact. It is a painless and simple approach for mixed nerve pain with very low risks. Percuaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) or electroacupuncture stimulates the nerves via acupuncture needles.
There are other more complex methods in controlling nerve pain and this would have to require you to go under the knife. Examples of this are stimulation of the spinal cord and deep brain stimulation. These procedures are only performed when everything else didn’t do anything to improve your condition.
It is said that nerve pain is really hard to control. In fact, there are some studies showed that only less than one half of the those suffering from nerve pain actually get relief. Even so, pain should not be a permanent thing in your life. With proper treatment that includes taking the correct nerve pain medication, relief could be attained. Don’t give up if the initial treatment failed. Just keep on trying new methods with your doctor. Maybe a specialist will also be of great help to you. Be persistent and there will be one treatment that will work for you.