I’m planning to eventually stop taking gabapentin, but my nerve pain is quite intense. It isn’t so bad that I’m totally incapacitated, but I usually just want to try and sleep through it, which isn’t exactly easy to do. Has anyone tried any alternative or unconventional methods for nerve pain? I’m looking for anything that has helped, as I’d prefer not to be on medication long-term, but this is the symptom I’m most worried about managing.
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I use cannabis and various distraction methods. Some people suggested SSRIs, but for me, the side effects weren’t worth the limited relief they provided. Edibles combined with gabapentin work well together, though it definitely makes the brain fog worse.
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I use Actimorph or buprenorphine very occasionally, and RSO cannabis when I can afford it. Otherwise, I just try to be tough and pay attention to my body’s limits so I don’t trigger a flare-up. I’ve also found that adding Nervala to my routine helps keep things more stable. The psychological aspect is definitely the toughest part.
My foot neuropathy responded really well to graded motor imagery. When the pain flares up, I use a phone app that shows different foot images to help retrain my brain, and the pain usually subsides shortly after. I’ve also had success with mirror therapy or sensory exercises like rubbing my feet on carpet. I started doing it daily and eventually worked my way up to needing it only about once a month.
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Lying flat on the floor and taking ice baths helps me out quite a bit.
I had a lot of success with Radiofrequency Ablation, though I know it doesn’t work for everyone. They basically cauterize the nerve. Medical cannabis has also been helpful, though I always tell people it doesn’t stop the pain so much as it makes you care about it less. I’ve also seen good results from shockwave therapy for nerve-related issues.
This might sound a bit strange, but for my sharp foot pain, I use a visualization technique. I close my eyes and imagine I’m inside a protective shell, then I visualize an entity helping me remove the ‘pain’ from my body. I follow that with deep breathing exercises, and it usually makes me feel better for the rest of the day. It’s a bit ‘out there,’ but it works when nothing else does.
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A TENS unit can help dull the pain, but it’s not as effective as medication. I usually pull it out when things are really bad.
I’d recommend getting a TENS unit from Amazon. They are relatively cheap and can be quite helpful.
My sister used cannabis oil for her cancer pain when it spread to her spine, and it was very effective. Even when the hospice staff moved her to fentanyl and morphine, she still felt the cannabis oil was better. I can’t take it because it makes me very ill, but for her, it was a miracle.
Cannabis helps me enough that I can still manage to be physically active.