4) Other meds cover neuropathic pain (pain cause by the pinching of, inflammation of, and degeneration of, nerves.) There is a whole list these but the two that I am aware of are: carbamazepine and gabapentin. Neither will do a hole lot for pain that isn't related to nerve damage, degeneration, or inflammation, however like all these meds, there can be crossover in coverage. Each has its advantages and its drawbacks.

I am hearing more and more about Gabapentin being very popular among those seeking mood altering effects through pain medication, and thus, I understand that it is currently being considered for "controlled substance" status. Personally, I prefer carbamazepine, but, there again, I am able take relatively low doses of almost everything, in spite of my advanced state of disease.

5) Further, added to this extensive list of meds there is yet another category that aims to counteract pain. These are what are known as Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (SMR) and include, a whole host of meds which target muscle spasms and other muscle-related pain. Some of these can be mood altering, and also slow down the system through Central Nervous System (CNS) depression. A number of the are considered controlled substances, because they can be sedating, interact with other meds and or alcohol, and often age, because messing with the muscles, (potentially) means changing the body's ability to maintain its balance. These are the meds that often take very small amounts to do a lot of "heavy lifting" towards pain management, if there is muscle involvement.

At my stage of Ankylosing Spondylitis, I have inconsistent but very painful muscle spasms. I DO take a maintenance medication for this, but because I am a relative lightweight in this department, I pair it down to the bare minimum and only up it when I know I have done something physical enough to bring on the spasms. As I am OLD (LOL) I am not a candidate for any of the "Benzos" that are classified as SMR, but my doc has found me something that I can get in a small does and easily break in half. Its been working well for several years.

6) In the end, both the causes of pain and the meds that target each kind, are multiple. A medical professional with empathy and knowledge, is needed along with extensive "testing" (imaging, blood tests, to name a couple) to determine just the right strategy for each chronic pain patient. Unfortunately, we who are in chronic pain, don't always have the words, or access to the languaging we need to describe our emotional response to being chained to so much pain all the time.

I hope this helps a little.... I know its long... but I wanted to cover the ground.. without sound like I was a know-it all LOLOLOL