However, it is unlikely that a single sensory pathway is totally responsible. It is suspected there are multiple sensory pain pathways involved, but the exact mechanism is poorly understood. The description of neuropathic pain varies and is often hard for people to describe. Others describe the pain as deep, aching, throbbing or squeezing sensations. Most agree this syndrome is very painful.
Pain occurs spontaneously or can be provoked by touch, temperature or movement.
For many people, their pain is continuous with varying degrees of intensity and is usually worse at night. Treatment When looking at drugs available to treat neuropathic pain, tricyclic antidepressants are the first choice of treatment. Of these, amitriptyline is most frequently used for its pain reducing and sedating properties. Similar drugs such as nortriptyline or desipramine are used when the side effects of sedation or dryness that can occur with amitriptyline are poorly tolerated. Tricyclic antidepressants work because they block the normal function of serotonin.