Xanax

[bishop]

I have been diagnosed with PNE by a specialist at the University of Washington and the diagnosis was confirmed by Dr. Hibner in Arizona this summer. I've been unable to tolerate Neurontin or any of the usual nerve meds as they seem to upset my stomach greatly. Last week I received a "call back" on a recent mammogram and ended up having a radiologist tell me I needed a breast biopsy. I was so nervous about it that I took an old Xanax prescription that I hadn't used in several years for a couple of days before & after the biopsy. (Which turned out fine, thank God.) But I noticed by the end of the second day that my nerve pain was significantly decreased! I can actually sit comfortably for great lengths of time. Has anyone else experienced this??

[carolynm]

No, but I've got some xanax so i'm gonna try it!

Do you know the cause of your PN? Is it possibly pelvic floor spasming?

From wikipedia:

"Alprazolam possesses anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, and amnestic properties"

had you tried valium in the past?

cari

[bishop]

No, I don't have pelvic spasming--my problems started two years ago after bladder surgery. I've been getting PT for five weeks on Dr. Hibner & Loretta Robertson's suggestions and while my therapist says that my pelvic region is much more relaxed than it was when I first began the PT, it hadn't changed the burning, stinging sensation I get near my right "sit bone."
Let me know if the Xanax works for you! I didn't have much left in that old prescription so I hope to get a new one when I see my pain doctor at UW next month.

[Faith]

I take ativan occasionally and I also get some relief. It used to help me sit better but now not so much. It is a benzodiazepine just like Xanax and Valium. Glad it has helped you some.

[bishop]

Yes, I know it is an anti-anxiety medication. I have no explanation for why it is helping my nerve pain. Actually, when I told my family doctor about the relief I was getting from Xanax, he suggested I try clonozopam instead as it stays in the body longer than Xanax does. I have been on the Clonozipam for about a month now and am having great relief in sitting for 1-2 hours at a time. I still have to be careful not to overdo it. But 1-2 hours is so much better than 1-2 minutes which was my previous "record" for pain-free sitting I also use a TENS unit if I need to sit for longer periods and it works well for me.