PHILIPPA’S TOP TIPS ON NERVE PAIN

There are a number of treatments available for this ‘invisible illness’

◆ In nerve pain, also called neuropathic pain, the pain comes from the nerves supplying a particular area of the body. For example, shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus which remains in the body. In shingles there is a rash over the particular area of the body a nerve supplies, often in a band across the trunk. The rash resolves but the pain related to that nerve may continue.

◆ Another example is peripheral neuropathy which is where the ner ves to the extremities of the body, such as the hands and feet are damaged, often due to diabetes, or potentially as a side ef fect of medications such as par ticular types of chemotherapy.

◆ Nerve pain is often described as burning, sharp or gnawing in nature, or there may be pins and needles or tingling in an area, or you may notice pain from something that wouldn’t normally be expected to cause pain – for example lightly touching the affected area.

◆ Depending on the cause, some neuropathic pain improves with time, often after an underlying cause is treated, but in some cases the pain becomes permanent. Painkillers may be used, such as paracetamol.

◆ There are medications which act on the nerves, such as amitriptyline and duloxetine which are also antidepressants, or pregabalin or gabapentin which are also used to treat epilepsy. This doesn’t mean your doctor thinks you’re depressed, rather these medications can be used for more than one condition.

◆ Topical medications such as capsicum cream rubbed into the area can be helpful.

◆ Talking therapies can be extremely effective to help you deal with and manage the pain.