Neuralgias
Red flags
Refer to alternate diagnostic services.
- Unexplained weight loss
- History or suspicion of malignancy
The following may lead to more urgent PPMS categorisation
- Severe symptoms despite optimum management
- Escalating opioid dependency
Consider referring this condition to Neurology if the cause is not yet determined.
Neuralgia is a pain syndrome that causes dysaesthesia (often described as lancinating, stabbing or burning) associated with a damaged nerve. The damage can be caused by direct trauma, degeneration (diabetes, MS), vascular insufficiency, autoimmune disease or infection (commonly herpes virus related). It is more common and is more problematic to treat in older people. Identification of an underlying cause is important as this will often determine the best treatment.
Conditions commonly referred in this category are:
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
- Post herpetic neuralgia
- Occipital neuralgia
- Multiple sclerosis related
- Diabetes related (see peripheral neuropathies)
- Less common causes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Porphyria
- Medication related (cisplatin, paclitaxel, vincristine etc)
Other important information for referring practitioners
Lifestyle changes
- Encourage healthy activity within pain limits
- Consider physio referral
- Hydrotherapy
- Desensitisation massage
- Ensure adequate sleep
- Check for mood disturbances and relationship difficulties
- Consider psychology referral for any mood disturbances and assistance with pain control
Medical management
- Optimise medical management of any predisposing secondary condition (if present)
- Set realistic goals
- Treat associated mood disorders
- Avoid over-reliance of medication, encourage self-management and set realistic goals for treatment
- Target most troublesome symptoms first
- Consider nerve blocking procedure if single nerve involvement
- Start at low dose and titrate
- Agree on trial period for medication.
Current medications used in neuralgia are:
- Amitriptyline:
- start at 10mg and slowly escalate dose (this may take weeks)
- max dose 75-100mg
- consider nortriptyline in older patients
- anti-cholinergic effects on bladder can be troublesome in elderly males
- Tramadol +/- paracetamol:
- potential synergistic effect
- Duloxetine:
- PBS approved for neuropathic pain and major depressive disorder
- Pregabalin:
- PBS restricted for neuropathic pain refractory to treatment with other drugs
- Carbamazepine (used primarily for trigeminal neuralgia and post herpetic neuralgia)
Try to avoid opioid medication. Only use opioid medication for exacerbations and set time limits on prescribing
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Fax: 1300 364 952
Electronic: eReferral system
Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
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