I am writing on behalf of my brother who had a cervical laminectomy last October. He has made good progress save for severe nerve pain in his right hand. This pain in controlled somewhat by painkillers but he is still in a lot of discomfort and some days in dire pain. Has anyone got any suggestions to help.
thanks
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Hi Sally
I'm sorry to hear of your brother's continued nerve pain which I can relate to as I also had a Cervical Laminectomy operation in June 2010.
Though the operation was a success in terms of stopping my condition getting any worse, two years down the line I still don't feel much better with extreme nerve pain, numbness and pins and needles in both hands and in feet and lower legs. Unfortunately, no quick fix!.
I have tried most of the pain killers such as pregabalin, gabapentin, amitriptyline etc. None has been very effective. I've been on Gabapentin (900mg, 3 times a day) for the past 18 months. It does very very slightly take away some pain but not much. I seem to be guzzling mouth full's of pills for not much benefit!!.
Probably like you and your brother, I continue to research any new discoveries to help nerve pain which is very difficult to treat.
The other things I've tried which you may wish to try is Chinese Acupuncture. I did a 10 week session which did appear to reduce swelling in my left hand which in turn then improves blood flow so allowing nerves to regenerate better. I think it did help a bit but not massively in my case.
I've also taken high doses of Vitamin B12 - needs to be the type Methylcobalamin. I took 15mg, 3 times a day. Dissolved in the inner cheek for maximum absorpsion into the blood system. This type of B12 has been known to repair the protective sheaf coating the nerve strands hence preventing nerve fibres from 'short circuiting' in a similar way to electrical cables. It's the 'short circuiting' that causes pain. I did a short self help session a few months back. I did not notice any improvement but I think you need to take these for a longer period than I did. I will be going back on these shortly.
Some people have said to me that nerves can take 2-3 years to repair so there may still be hope but I think its a condition I may just need to live with.
Finally, I do have an appointment booked at the Pain Clinic at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge in early October. If you like, I will keep you posted on any miracle cures !!.
I wish your brother good recovery although it may take a bit longer that he is expecting - :(
With best regards
John
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Thanks for your reply; I will pass this letter on to my brother and I would be grateful if you would let me know the outcome of your visit to the pain clinic.
Best wishes
Sally
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