Neuralgia Specialist

Neuralgia is pain that comes from an injury or irritation of the nerve itself rather than being a signal to warn you of tissue damage.

The key symptom of neuralgia is pain that radiates along the path of the affected nerve. The pain is typically stabbing or sharp and is always in the same place. It might come and go or be there all the time. You might experience a burning feeling, as well, and find it hurts more when you move the area.

You might also develop allodynia, which is when your skin becomes hypersensitive and perceives even the lightest touch as painful. In some cases, patients experience muscle weakness and, occasionally, paralysis.

There are many possible causes of neuralgia. Some of the more common causes include:

• Chemical irritation
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Shingles
• HIV/AID
• Lyme disease
  
• Chemotherapy

Nerve pressure coming from tissues around the nerve can cause neuralgia. Pressure can come from bones, blood vessels, ligaments, or a growing tumor. Less commonly, the blood disorder porphyria and syphilis can cause neuralgia. It’s not unusual for there to be no apparent cause for neuralgia, but this makes it no less painful.

The two most widespread neuralgias are trigeminal neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia affects one of the main nerves in your face, while postherpetic neuralgia develops as a complication of having shingles.

Treatment of your neuralgia is dependant on what’s causing it, how severe your pain is, and where you’re experiencing symptoms. Potential therapies for neuralgia include:

• Pain medicines
• Pain patches or creams
• Antidepressants
• Antiseizure medications
• Physical therapy
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency nerve ablation
• Surgery
• Biofeedback
• Acupuncture
• Spinal cord stimulation

Before you turn to spinal cord stimulation surgery, there is anotheroption: ketamine therapy. Treatment with ketamine involves an intravenous infusion that delivers ketamine directly to your bloodstream. Ketamine is a potent anesthetic and pain-relieving medication that could provide a fast and effective solution to your neuralgia pain.