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Neuropathic Pain

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is neuropathic pain? " пїЅ Neuropathic pain is a type of pain caused by nerve damage or a problem with the nervous system. Neuropathic pain is usually burning, tingling, sharp, or stabbing. People can have the pain all the time, or the pain can come and go. Neuropathic pain is usually worse at rest and at night. Sometimes, people feel a lot of pain when they are touched gently. пїЅ пїЅ

Neuropathic pain can be severe and affect daily life. For instance, neuropathic pain can keep people from sleeping or eating well. This can lead to depression and anxiety. пїЅ пїЅ

In some cases, neuropathic pain goes away on its own. But in other cases, it can last months or years. пїЅ пїЅ

What causes neuropathic pain? " пїЅ Different conditions can cause neuropathic pain, including: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Diabetic neuropathy " пїЅ This is a form of nerve damage that can happen in people with diabetes.
  • Postherpetic neuralgia " пїЅ This is a condition that can happen after people have a painful rash called "shingles. " пїЅ
  • Stroke " пїЅ A stroke is when part of the brain is injured because it goes without blood for too long. People can have neuropathic pain after a stroke.

But sometimes, doctors cant figure out what's causing a person's neuropathic pain. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I need tests? " пїЅ Maybe. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. He or she might do: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Blood tests
  • Nerve tests to check whether your nerves are working normally

How is neuropathic pain treated? " пїЅ Treatments for neuropathic pain include both medicines and activities. No single treatment works for everyone. Your doctor or nurse will help you find the right mix of treatments for you. пїЅ пїЅ

The medicines used most often to treat neuropathic pain are ones that are also used to treat other conditions. Doctors treat neuropathic pain with medicines for depression, because they work on areas of the brain that process pain. Doctors also treat neuropathic pain with medicines that prevent seizures, because they help with overactive nerves. пїЅ пїЅ

Other medicines doctors sometimes use to treat neuropathic pain include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Prescription pain medicines called "opioids " пїЅ
  • Pain-relieving or numbing medicines that go on the skin as a cream, patch, or spray
  • Injections (shots) of numbing or pain-relieving medicines that go into the spine or the area with pain

Other kinds of treatments can also help with neuropathic pain. Some of these include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Physical therapy
  • Working with a counselor
  • Relaxation therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Devices that affect nerve signals

To find the best treatment for you, you should be open to trying new treatments or combinations of treatments. Sometimes people have to try a few different things before they find the one that works best. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. You can: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Use a heating pad or cold pack on the painful area. Check with your doctor before trying this to make sure it is OK for your individual condition.
  • Learn ways to relax your mind and body, such as doing deep breathing exercises. Relaxing your mind can help with how the body feels pain.
  • Stay as active as possible. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and increase your activity slowly.
  • Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel depressed. Neuropathic pain and depression often go together, and each can make the other worse. Getting treatment for your depression can help you cope more easily with your pain.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 82819 Version 6.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ