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I have tried gabapentin, cymbalta, amitriptylene, and now Lyrica. Lyrica gives moderate relief.

2 days ago
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A DiabetesTeam Member

Unfortunately, none of the medications actually "treat" the neuropathy and there is no other way to reverse it so "pain management" is the only way to go once it sets in

Here the choices are limited

Taking NSAID's have way too many long term side effects to be used for "chronic pain"

So that leaves Opiods which are excellent but you don't want to end up as a junkie with "forever" use

That leaves the gabapentenoids that "block you from feeling the pain" as the "safest" way to treat the pain without leading to addiction or severe side effects

Lyrica (Pregabalin) was developed "specifically" to treat Diabetic nerve pain so for all it's flaws, it's the best and safest of the options

For others not experiencing pain yet you have another option - control your blood sugar so the neuropathy does not set in and advance, because their is no "treatment" and the pain blockers are mediocre at best

2 days ago
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member
I will be getting nerve block shots on the 30th. I hope it helps. Nerve pains are a whole different ball game. Sending hugs

2 days ago
A DiabetesTeam Member

It doesn’t help my doctor said I will have to take something with it

2 days ago
DiabetesTeam

It's great that Lyrica is giving some relief, even if it's only moderate. There are indeed other options that doctors can consider for peripheral diabetic neuropathy pain management.

Beyond the medications already tried, doctors may explore:

- Topical creams – Such as capsaicin cream or lidocaine patches, applied directly Show Full Answer

It's great that Lyrica is giving some relief, even if it's only moderate. There are indeed other options that doctors can consider for peripheral diabetic neuropathy pain management.

Beyond the medications already tried, doctors may explore:

- Topical creams – Such as capsaicin cream or lidocaine patches, applied directly to the skin where pain occurs
- Opioid pain relievers – Used cautiously, as they can affect blood sugar levels in unpredictable ways — sometimes raising it, sometimes lowering it
- NSAIDs – Like ibuprofen or naproxen, though these carry extra caution for people with diabetes due to potential heart-related risks

It's also worth knowing that sometimes doctors combine treatments to get better overall relief. The most important step is to have an open conversation with a doctor or neurologist about what's been tried and what partial relief looks like. They can tailor a combination approach that works best. No one should have to just "live with" nerve pain — there are options worth exploring together with a healthcare provider.

2 days ago

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