Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

Neuropathy is a general term to describe damage to the peripheral nerves (the nerve cells other than the ones in your brain and spinal cord). That includes the nerves that run through your arms, legs, hands, feet, etc.

This nerve damage can lead to several different types of symptoms. You may have problems with numbness, tingling, problems with coordination, weakness, or pain. When you have pain due to this type of nerve damage, it's referred to as peripheral neuropathy pain, or neuropathic pain.

This is a little bit different type of pain. When you have other types of pain, your nerves (the wiring) is carrying the pain signal. With peripheral neuropathy pain, it's the wiring itself that is breaking down and generating the pain signal.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

While there are a number of diseases that can cause neuropathic pain, we're going to focus primarily on a couple of the more common ones. Don't worry though, if you're doctor has told you that you have neuropathic pain or "nerve pain," then this information has the potential to be helpful to you.

Probably the most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes. I just went to a presentation by a pain management physician, and he said that about 50% of people with diabetes will develop neuropathy, and that 10% of those will have severe peripheral neuropathy pain. Neuropathy is most likely to develop when blood sugar is not well controlled.

Another frequent cause of neuropathic pain is lupus, an autoimmune disorder. Toxicity to some substances, including alcohol, can also cause neuropathy. A common, benign but very painful neuropathic condition is shingles.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy Pain Like?

The pain often starts at the point furthest from brain and spinal cord, then gradually progress. Pain and other symptoms often start in the feet.

Pain related to peripheral neuropathy is described in different ways, but pretty much runs the gamut including;

*Shooting and sharp;

*Chronic pain that radiates down an arm or leg (radiculopathy). This can occur with back pain and/or injury;

*A feeling of burning; or

*A dull ache.

Treating Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

Medication can be an effective treatment. A wide range of medications have been used in the past, including anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, and pain medications. These vary wildly in terms of effectiveness, and a lot of them have pretty significant side effects.

There are some newer medications that seem to be more effective for treatment of neuropathic pain, including Cymbalta (TM) and Lyrica (TM).

Nerve Blocks

If medication and other interventions don't provide enough pain relief, your doctor may want to try one of several techniques that are some variation of nerve blocking. These interventions essentially work to try to keep the pain signal from reaching the spinal cord or brain.

Read more about injections for chronic pain, nerve stimulation devices, and other nerve block techniques.

Alternative Pain Management in Neuropathy

Exercise can be an effective adjunct for people with neuropathic pain. It can help rehabilitate and strengthen muscles, develop and maintain flexibility, and improve aerobic conditioning. Your doctor may send you to see a physical or occupational therapist to help get you started with a program.

Supportive counseling, including CBT, can help you manage the effect pain is having on your life, develop better coping skills, and find ways to maintain a happy and productive life.

Click here for more information on alternative pain management techniques for peripheral neuropathy pain.




Return from the Peripheral Neuropathy Pain page to the Home Page


footer for Peripheral Neuropathy Pain page