Someone in my family has a c5 incomplete injury.  He often complains of his sides & back 'burning'.  He went to a doctor and basically dr. just wanted to give him rx for oxycotin.  He doesn't like taking pain pills...especially ones that are... .'that intense/crazy'

I'm guessing it's because of the nerves? Do any of you experience this or what do you do for the pain? He's 21, and had his accident over 2 years ago. Thanks.

Over 60% of those who have sustained a spinal cord injury suffer from severe neuropathic pain, which many consider more disabling than the SCI. It is often described as "burning", "shooting", "electric" or "crushing". It can be at the level of sensation where the injury occurred (radicular pain) or below the level of injury; including areas where the person does not have normal sensation.

While narcotic such as oxycodone are often used, the first line medications are those that are used for other neuropathic pain. This includes Neurontin (gabapentin) in doses up to 4500 mg. daily (started slowly and titrated gradually) and the newer medication Lyrica. Also helpful for many are the tri-cyclic antidepressants like Elavil.

Non-medication techniques worth trying include self-hypnosis, TENS, and relaxation training and biofeedback. Fatigue and depression make this worse, and pain may make them worse, so often interventions to assure sufficient rest, moderate exercise (to increase endorphins) and treatment of depression are also indicated at the same time.

He should see a physician who specializes in SCI, ideally a physiatrist who is also board certified in spinal cord medicine. If you cannot find one, let us know and we may be able to help. Most pain clinics should also be expert in managing neuropathic pain.

where can i find a 'shrink' that specializes in sci?

Not a psychiatrist (aka shrink) but a physiatrist (pronounced feez-i-a-trist).  A physiatrist is a doctor that specialized in rehabilitation medicine.  Within this population of physiatrists, there are ones that have a specialty in SCI.  We live in Indianapolis and there are many physiatrists but only a couple have the certified sub-specialty in SCI.

My husband is a C3-C4, and he has plenty of neuropathic pain.  It can really be a problem.  Your family member is not alone in his issue.  My husband currently takes Neurontin.  He has tried Lyrica and it helped but the side effects outweighed any benefits so he had to get off the Lyrica.  I would recommend that your family member talk to his doctor about Neurontin and see if he can find a dose that helps combat his neuropathic pain.  I say start with Neurontin because I have seen and read that many people have trouble with Lyrica and also many say that the withdrawl trying to get off of it is horrible.

ok...sorry......

i completely forgot about the term 'physiatrist '

he is on med Ical for insurance... so i dont know how easy it would be to find a doctor in this field.  he was only 18 and going back to college and just got terminated from his dads health insurance and literally had the the new health insurance papers on his desk when his accident occured.

he does currently take neurotin. he takes it 2x a day...from what i understand 1000 mg each time. the dr tried to 'up' it to 3x a day..and he complained he couldn't stay awake...

help

He can work out on his own. Join a gym, or borrow a friend's free-weights. Swim at the local plunge or YMCA, push miles at the local high school track or around the mall. There are tons of things he can do that don't require formal therapy to maintain his strength, cardiovascular conditioning, and help reduce his pain.

He can register for classes at the local community college, ideally after opening a case at the local DOR office for vocational rehab. People with cervical spinal cord injuries do need an education if they are going to work, but I personally know people with injuries at this level who are school teachers, professors, psychologists, social workers, lawyers, judges, accountants, web masters, website designers, stock brokers, and small business owners, as well as other professions.

He could do volunteer work until he can go to work.

Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Going to work, school or working out will help give him some of this structure, but he needs to actually do it. Laying around in bed or hanging around the house watching TV will only pull him deeper into th cycle of depression and pain.

Here is some good information on TENS:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/325107-overview

http://www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/alt-electroanalgesia

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1694.html

thanks for the reply.

i've never heard of tens..so i guess i will go ahead and google that after i write this. has you tried acupuncture? he is not working out anymore. he stopped in sept. he was attending an outpatient rehab place 3x a week for 2hrs each day. ran out of money. he's not in school either. he just moved back home a couple months ago so i think he's trying to figure out what he wants to do. i think he's discouraged because i think he feels like..'well what am i gonna goto school for, because what can i really do' you know what i mean?

i agree with you when you say keeping busy & distractions also help. sitting there in bed all day definately doesn't help him.

he was 19 when he got hurt and no insurance so he's on medI cal.  he got kicked off childrens services when he turned 21 last year.