Spinal stenosis

[Gladys93]

I am suffering with spinal stenosis. Just experiencing a bad flare up in awful pain and unable to walk. In the past tried lots of different painkillers. Yesterday I was prescribed neofapam. Has anyone else tried this?

[BonnieMagic]

I’ve just been prescribed it too and am three days into taking it. I’m taking it with Etoricoxib (which is also new to me) so am struggling to differentiate which one is causing the side-effects. The pain is more manageable but I feel wiped out due to difficulty sleeping, headache and stomach pain. At the moment I’m taking the lowest dose 30mg x1 three times a day. I’d love to hear your experience.

[Gladys93 in reply to BonnieMagic]

Hi, I started yesterday with Nefopam 30 mg three times a day. Like you feel tired out. woke up at three this morning unable to.sleep since. I am 76 and suffered with stenosis for nearly four years but nothing as bad as the pain I have now, which started last Friday. My ankles are also getting worse with being numb. In the past I have had injections but they have never worked. I find it difficult to sit down and get up and can hardly walk right now. I could only get a phone call from the doctor. I must admit on Saturday morning I was close to so long an ambulance I felt so bad, plus I live alone. I will keep trying with the Nefopam, am sure I have tried just about every other painkillers killed and I always get the awful side effects. Hope I haven't depressed you, do let me know how you get on.

[BonnieMagic in reply to Gladys93]

Thanks for your response, no you haven’t depressed me! I was laughing at the listed side effects as I seem to be working my way through them! I’m going to give it a week and see how I am. My new meds have been prescribed for severe knee OA but I also have it in my spine, hips (one replaced 10 yrs ago and fine) and feet. I can’t tolerate opiates or codeine so empathise with your comments. Let’s hope that it works out for both of us fingers crossed.

[Gladys93 in reply to BonnieMagic]

Thanks, best of luck, do keep in touch.

[BonnieMagic in reply to BonnieMagic]

Hello, just wondering how you are doing on the Nefopam? I do hope it’s working for you. Unfortunately I’ve had to give it up - too many side-effects for me to continue. At least I had my first night’s sleep for five days last night. Waiting for my GP to come up with an alternative pain med but strongly suspect I’ve exhausted all options now.

[Gladys93 in reply to BonnieMagic]

Thank you for your text. Sorry to hear that the nefopam didn't work for you. I was in so much pain yesterday I took two 30 gm at lunchtime and two in the evening. I must say they certainly helped with the pain, but didn't get much sleep. I have cut back to 1 three times a day. These are the first meds I have had that do not give me indigestion. I take one 10 mg amitriptyline at bed time but might try two tonight. The doctor said I could try 60 mg nefopam once I adjusted to the 30 mg. However, am not sure about that just now. What side effects did you experience? Am still getting quite a bit of pain when sitting and standing up and walking.

[BonnieMagic in reply to Gladys93]

Hello, so sorry you’re still in so much pain. On balance the Nefopam worked on my pain but the side-effects were unworkable. Apart from the lack of sleep, my stomach pain was awful (despite taking Lansoprazole), constant headaches and on the last day my vision was very blurred so I couldn’t safely drive. Maybe I should have persisted with the Nefopam but one of the GPs told me to stop. I had a tel consultation today and it has been concluded that there is nothing I can take for pain long term which is depressing. I just going to try and stay as mobile as I can and maybe try CBD. I so hope Nefopam works for you and may be the Amitriptyline will help. Please keep in touch.

[Emma2017]

Hi they gave me that in hospital after my fusion but it made me hallucinate. So was then put on dihydrocodeine together with the pregabalin I already took. They work up to a certain degree.

Have you had an MRI to see if things have got worse?

[Kels1974]

I have been on nefopam for over 3 years.I am on the maximum 3x3 tablets a day and it takes the edge off my nerve pain.Its the only thing that has helped me but when it's really bad have to take morphine also.

[Gladys93 in reply to Kels1974]

Thank you for that. Wasn’t sure whether Nefopam could be taken long term. Did you find it caused you to have insomnia? I take two of them, one morning and one afternoon, then two amnitriltalene at night. By doing that I seem to sleep better. The nefopam is working well in reducing the pain. I suffer with spinal stenosis. Thanks again for replying. I found your message most helpful.

[Kels1974 in reply to Gladys93]

I do have insomnia at times I am also on amitriptyline I take 3 at night,also naproxen and on cpap for sleep apnea.

[Gladys93 in reply to Kels1974]

Thanksagain. I hate having to take all these meds. Naproxen, plus every other painkillers I have tried give me terrible side effects, indigestion, etc. Hopefully if I keep taking nefopam I will be ok. Been on them a week now and so far so good.