Patient education: Neuropathic pain (The Basics)

What is neuropathic pain? — 

This is a type of pain caused by nerve damage or a problem with the nervous system. People often describe neuropathic pain as burning, tingling or "pins and needles," shooting, or electric. People can have the pain all of the time, or the pain can come and go. Sometimes, people feel a lot of pain when they are touched gently.

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

Neuropathic pain sometimes goes away on its own. But it can last months or years.

What causes neuropathic pain? — 

It is often caused by nerve damage. For example, this can happen in people who have:

●Diabetes – Diabetes can cause nerve damage if a person's blood sugar is high for a long time. This is called "diabetic neuropathy."

●Shingles – This is a painful rash caused by a virus. Some people continue to have pain even after the rash goes away. This is called "postherpetic neuralgia."

●A stroke – This is when a part of the brain is damaged because of a problem with blood flow. People can have neuropathic pain after a stroke.

●Chemotherapy – Many chemotherapy medicines used for cancer treatment can cause neuropathic pain.

●Surgery – Some people have neuropathic pain after surgery.

Sometimes, doctors can't figure out the cause of neuropathic pain.

Will I need tests? — 

Maybe. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. They might do:

●Blood tests

●Tests to check whether your nerves are working normally

●X-rays or other imaging tests

How is neuropathic pain treated? — 

It can be treated with both medicines and other treatments. Your doctor or nurse will help you find the right mix of treatments for you.

Several different types of medicines can treat neuropathic pain. The ones used most often 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.

Other medicines sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain include:

●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

Prescription pain medicines called opioids are sometimes used for neuropathic pain. However, these medicines can sometimes lead to problems with misuse or addiction.

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

●Physical therapy

●Working with a counselor

●Relaxation therapy

●Massage therapy

●Acupuncture

●Devices that affect nerve signals

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.

What can I do on my own to feel better? — 

You can:

●Use a heating pad or cold pack on the painful area. Check with your doctor before trying this to make sure that it is OK for you.

●Learn ways to relax your mind and body, such as doing deep breathing exercises. Relaxing your mind can help with how your body feels pain.

●Stay as active as possible. If you haven't been active for a while, talk to your doctor or nurse first. Then, 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 depression can help you cope more easily with your pain.

More on this topic

Patient education: Chronic pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Nerve damage caused by diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Shingles (The Basics)
Patient education: Stroke (The Basics)
Patient education: Chemotherapy (The Basics)
Patient education: Complementary and alternative medicine (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Diabetic neuropathy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Shingles (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (Beyond the Basics)