Neuropathic Pain

What is neuropathic pain?

Pain is broadly divided into two types - nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain.

Nociceptive pain

This is the type of pain that all people have had at some point. It is caused by actual, or potential damage to tissues. For example, a cut, a burn, an injury, pressure or force from outside the body, or pressure from inside the body (for example, from a tumour) can all cause nociceptive pain. The reason we feel pain in these situations is because tiny nerve endings become activated or damaged by the injury, and this sends pain messages to the brain via nerves.

Nociceptive pain tends to be sharp or aching. It also tends to be eased well by 'traditional' painkillers such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatory painkillers, codeine and morphine.

Neuropathic pain

This type of pain is caused by a problem with one or more nerves themselves. There is often no 'injury' or tissue damage that triggers the pain. However, the function of the nerve is affected in a way that it sends pain messages to the brain. Neuropathic pain is often described as burning, stabbing, shooting, aching, or like an 'electric-shock'.

Neuropathic pain is less likely than nociceptive pain to be helped by traditional painkillers. However, other types of medicines often work well to ease the pain (see below).

The rest of this leaflet is just about neuropathic pain.

What causes neuropathic pain?

Various conditions can affect nerves and may cause neuropathic pain as one of the features of the condition. These include the following:

• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Post herpetic neuralgia (pain following shingles)
• Diabetic neuropathy - a nerve disorder that develops in some people with diabetes
• Phantom limb pain following an amputation
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pain following chemotherapy
• HIV infection
• Alcoholism
• Cancer
• Atypical facial pain
• Various other uncommon nerve disorders

Note: you can have nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain at the same time, sometimes caused by the same condition. For example, you may develop nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain from certain cancers.

More about the nature of neuropathic pain

Related to the pain there may also be:

• Allodynia. This means that the pain comes on, or gets worse, with a touch or stimulus that would not normally cause pain. For example, a slight touch on the face may trigger pain if you have trigeminal neuralgia, or the pressure of the bedclothes may trigger pain if you have diabetic neuropathy.
• Hyperalgesia. This means that you get severe pain from a stimulus or touch that would normally cause only slight discomfort. For example, a mild prod on the painful area may cause intense pain.
• Paresthesia. This means that you get unpleasant or painful feelings even when there is nothing touching you, and no stimulus. For example, you may have painful pins and needles, or electric shock like sensations.

In addition to the pain itself, the impact that the pain has on your life may be just as important. For example, the pain may lead to disturbed sleep, anxiety and depression.

How common is neuropathic pain?

It is estimated that about 1 in 100 people in the UK have persistent (chronic) neuropathic pain. It is much more common in older people who are more prone to developing the conditions listed above.

What is the treatment for neuropathic pain?

Treatments include:

• Treating the underlying cause - if possible
• Medicines
• Physical treatments
• Psychological treatment

Treating the underlying cause

If this is possible, it may help to ease the pain. For example, if you have diabetic neuropathy then good control of the diabetes may help to ease the condition. If you have cancer, if this can be treated then this may ease the pain. Note: the severity of the pain often does not correspond with the seriousness of the underlying condition. For example, postherpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles) can cause a severe pain, even though there is no rash or signs of infection remaining.

Medicines used to treat neuropathic pain

Commonly used ordinary painkillers

You may have already tried 'ordinary' painkillers such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory painkillers that you can buy from pharmacies. However, these are unlikely to ease neuropathic pain very much in most cases.

Tricyclic antidepressant medicines

An antidepressant medicine in the 'tricyclic' group is a common treatment for neuropathic pain. It is not used here to treat depression. Tricyclic antidepressants ease neuropathic pain separate to their action on depression. It is thought that they work by interfering with the way nerve impulses are transmitted. There are several tricyclic antidepressants, but amitriptyline is the one most commonly used for neuralgic pain. In many cases the pain is stopped, or greatly eased, by amitriptyline. Imipramine and nortriptyline are other tricyclic antidepressants that are sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain.

A tricyclic antidepressant may ease the pain within a few days, but it may take 2-3 weeks. It can take several weeks before you get maximum benefit. Some people give up on their treatment too early. It is best to persevere for at least 4-6 weeks to see how well the antidepressant is working.

Tricyclic antidepressants sometimes cause drowsiness as a side-effect. This often eases in time. To try and avoid drowsiness, a low dose is usually started at first, and then built up gradually if needed. Also, the full daily dose is often taken at night because of the drowsiness side-effect. A dry mouth is another common side-effect. Frequent sips of water may help with a dry mouth. See the leaflet that comes with the medicine packet for a full list of possible side-effects.

Other antidepressant medicines

An antidepressant called venlafaxine has also been shown in research trials to be good at easing neuropathic pain. Venlafaxine is not classed as a tricyclic antidepressant but as a 'serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor (SNRI)'. It may be tried if a tricyclic antidepressant has not worked so well, or has caused problematic side-effects. The range of possible side-effects caused by venlafaxine are different to those caused by tricyclic antidepressants.

Another group of antidepressants are called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Receptor Inhibitors). There is some evidence to suggest that medicines in this group may help to ease neuropathic pain but more research is needed to confirm this.

Anti-epileptic medicines (anticonvulsants)

An anti-epileptic medicine is an alternative to an antidepressant. For example, gabapentin, pregabalin, sodium valproate, and carbamazepine. These medicines are commonly used to treat epilepsy but they have also been found to ease nerve pain. An anti-epileptic medicine can stop nerve impulses causing pains separate to its action on preventing epileptic seizures. As with antidepressants, a low dose is usually started at first and built up gradually, if needed. It may take several weeks for maximum effect as the dose is gradually increased.

Opiates and similar painkillers

Opiates painkillers are the stronger 'traditional' painkillers. For example, codeine, morphine and related drugs. Another painkiller called tramadol is similar but has a distinct method of action that is different to opiate painkillers. Opiates and tramadol tend to be good at treating non-neuropathic pain. They also have a role in treating neuropathic pain, but may be less effective than in treating non-neuropathic pain. Also, there is a risk of problems of drug dependence, impaired mental functioning and other side effects with the long-term use of opiates. In general, opiates and tramadol tend to be used mainly if there are problems or side-effects with using antidepressant or anti-epileptic drugs. A recent research review concluded that tramadol in particular may be a good option for neuropathic pain in certain situations.

Combinations of medicines

Sometimes both an antidepressant and an anti-epileptic medicine are taken if either alone does not work very well. Sometimes an opiate such as codeine is combined with an antidepressant or an anti-epileptic medicine. As they work in different ways they may compliment each other and have an additive effect on easing pain better than either alone.

Capsaicin cream

This is sometimes used to ease pain if the above medicines do not help, or cannot be used because of problems or side-effects. Capsaicin is thought to work by blocking nerves from sending pain messages. Capsaicin cream is applied 3-4 times a day. It can take up to 10 days for a good pain relieving effect to occur.

Capsaicin can cause an intense burning feeling when it is applied. In particular, if it is used less than 3-4 times a day, or if it is applied just after taking a hot bath or shower. However, this side-effect tends to ease off with regular use. Capsaicin cream should not be applied to broken or inflamed skin. Wash your hands immediately after applying capsaicin cream.

Other medicines

Some other medicines are sometimes used on the advice of a specialist in a pain clinic. These may be an option if the above medicines do not help.

For example, ketamine injections. Ketamine is normally used as an anaesthetic, but at low doses can have a pain relieving effect. Another example is lidocaine (lignocaine) gel. This is applied to skin with a special 'patch'. It is sometimes used for postherpetic (post shingles) neuralgia (but note, it needs to be put onto non-irritated or healed skin).

Physical treatments

Depending on the site and cause of the pain, a specialist in a pain clinic may advise one or more physical treatments. These include: physiotherapy, acupuncture, nerve blocks with injected local anaesthetics and TENS machines ('Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation').

Psychological treatments

Pain can be made worse by stress, anxiety and depression. Also, the perception ('feeling') of pain can vary depending on how we react to our pain and circumstances. Where relevant, treatment for anxiety or depression may help. Also, treatments such as stress management, counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, and pain management programmes sometimes have a role in helping people with chronic (persistent) neuropathic pain.

Further help and information

Action On Pain

Helpline: 0845 603 1593
Web: www.action-on-pain.co.uk
A national charity providing support for people affected by chronic pain.

Pain Concern

PO Box 13256, Haddington, EH41 4YD
Tel: 01620 822572
Web: www.painconcern.org.uk
Provides information and support for pain sufferers.

Chronic Pain Policy Coalition

Web: www.paincoalition.org.uk
A forum for patients, professionals and parliamentarians who operate at policy level to develop an improved strategy for the prevention, treatment and management of chronic pain and its associated conditions.

British Pain Society

Web: www.britishpainsociety.org
A professional organisation, but their website has lots of information about pain and it's treatment which is aimed at the general public.

Pain Relief Foundation

Web: www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk
Has information on their website on many pain types.

Neuropathy Trust

Web: www.neurocentre.com
Support for people with peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain.