Neuropathic Pain

About Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is a stabbing, burning, and often quite severe pain that occurs along a damaged nerve. The damaged nerve may be anywhere in the body. The cause of a damaged nerve may be a disease like diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) or multiple sclerosis, an infection like shingles, or the result of old age. Treatment for the pain of neuralgia depends on the cause.
Causes of Neuralgia
The underlying cause of any type of neuralgia is damage to a nerve. Each nerve in your body is protected by a coating called the myelin sheath. When the myelin is damaged or wears away from the nerve, the stabbing, severe, shock-like pain of neuralgia results. There are many different factors, including old age, which can cause damage to the myelin. Unfortunately, in many cases of neuralgia, a cause can never be found.

Less Common Causes
If the cause of neuralgia cannot be blamed on an infection, MS, diabetes, or pressure on the nerves, it may be from one of many less common factors. These include:
- chronic kidney disease
- porphyria (a rare blood disease)
- chemical irritation
- trauma, such as that caused by surgery
- medications like cisplatin, paclitaxel, or vincristine (prescribed to cancer patients)
Neuralgic Pain Treatment Options
Better control of blood sugar levels in those with diabetes-caused neuralgia (Diabetic neuropathy)
Medications
Medicines can be used to relieve neuropathic pain. Medications prescribed may include:
Antidepressants
Antidepressants
anti-seizure medications
anti-seizure medications
topical creams with capsaicin
topical creams with capsaicin
over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen
over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen
Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks are injections directed at a particular nerve or nerve group that is intended to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.