Cancer Pain Management: Patient Toolkit-Neuropathic Medication Reduction and Discontinuation with Side Effect Guidance

Neuropathic Medication Reduction and Discontinuation with Side Effect Guidance

Pdf Summary

Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nerves in the body and can be a side effect of cancer or its treatments. Medications used to treat nerve pain are different from those used for other types of pain. Common medications include antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs that work by reducing nerve sensitivity. These medications may have side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and weight gain. Suddenly stopping these medications can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, anxiety, chills, insomnia, muscle aches, and more. <br /> <br />To prevent withdrawal symptoms, it is important to slowly reduce the dosage of these medications under the guidance of a doctor. Tapering the dosage gradually can help reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, other medications may be prescribed to help manage the symptoms during the tapering process. <br /> <br />Aside from medication, there are non-medicine pain management strategies that can help alleviate neuropathic pain. These include regular exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, scrambler therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, therapeutic medical massage, lymphedema massage, and compression socks. It is important to speak with a doctor about these complementary therapies to determine the appropriate approach for managing neuropathic pain. <br /> <br />Overall, neuropathic pain can be challenging to manage, but with the right approach, including proper communication with healthcare professionals and the utilization of various pain management strategies, it is possible to find relief and minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms during medication reduction or discontinuation.

Keywords

Neuropathic pain

nerve damage

cancer treatment side effects

medications for nerve pain

antidepressants for pain

anti-seizure drugs for pain

withdrawal symptoms

tapering medication dosage

non-medicine pain management

complementary therapies for neuropathic pain