Z just started on a low dose tricyclic anti-depressant, Elavil
(amitriptyline). It helps him sleep and seems to raise the pain threshold for many conditions that produce low grade but chronic pain. It seems to be helping at least a little so far. I think it also helps with the low grade (mostly!) psychological pain and anxiety. He only take 10mlg, about 1/10th what people take for depression..but still. It has no major side effects and has been used for decades. Any one else out there tried it?

RO prescribed anti-depressant for husband - Paxil. It seems to work well and has just taken the edge off the depression. It took a couple of weeks to "kick-in" though, which is common with anti-depressants.

Have you searched it here and on google? You can usually find good info on medicine online.

Ed, Thanks for your reply. My Family Doctor gave me a perscription for Cymbalta 30mg a day which he thought might help the neuropathy symptoms which he believes can be aggrevated by depression and stress. After 2 weeks I feel like their has been some improvement without any side effects for me. I'll keep you posted on my progress with using this drug. Steven

Well I think the Elavil is helping...at least a little. Z's right hand isn't as bad as his left and the tingling seems to be fading just a bit. Just wanted you all to know. And...we had another good visit with the head and neck doc...he's the "head" of this Department. We seem him every six weeks through the first year and then every three months. Z's only had one scan but it came out clear. I think we lucky to have this very close physical monotoring. The doc really checks him out and likes looking and feeling better than scanning (too many false posatives).