[Shelly]

Hi all,

Does anyone here take Neurontin or Tegratol or any other psych med or anti-convulsant for pain management? I have taken Lyrica and Cymbalta...the Lyrica was helpful, but I had to go off of it due to swelling in my face, hands, arms, feet and legs. The Cymbalta neither helped with my depression or pain. I am thinking about trying out new or old meds to try to get a handle on my neuropathy, which some of these drugs claim to be successful about helping with pain. I have to try something. I know that it would mean a switch from my Lamictal, which has been pretty effective at helping to stablize my mood swings. And I do not feel drugged out on it. I'm afraid that with the older medications, I will feel drugged out, and I do not want that, yet I do not want to continue in this severe of pain either. I have bad spinal pain as well as neuropathy in my entired legs and pelvic region and fibromyalgia that acts up every time the weather changes it seems. Either way, all of this causes great pain and I need to figure out ways to handle this that are inside or outside of the norm for treatment. I am going to ask the pain specialist about biofeedback..and I will be learning relaxation techniques, which I already do when I am in severe pain or having trouble breathing with my lung disease..I use different kinds of relaxation techniques depending on the problem. Sometimes several at once. I have a hard time with any kind of visualization. My mind cannot concentrate on any one thing for long..I get too distracted..one reason that I cannot read books right now. This comes and goes. I used to read a book a day...now I'm lucky if I finish a book in 2 plus years. I just cannot focus. So, I'm asking any of you if you have any experience with any kind of medication that is effective with pain and also handles depression, anxiety, panic, etc. Thanks Shelly