Should I be taking pain medication?

Here is My Question:
I have finally gotten off Amitriptyline, which took about 2 months. My dosage was 100mg and with advise from my neurologist I tapered off although a bit fast according to my neurologist. This medication made me feel awful and my pain was much worse then when I was off the medication. But now I don't know if I should take symptomatic pain treatment or just stay on nothing? My pain is okay and is intermittent at the moment.

I'm a bit scared being on nothing but at the same time I believe I'm doing okay besides my anxiety issues. I had anxiety on the medication too, although more at the end of my course. At the beginning when I started the medication it seemed to work but and after 4 years it worked against me. Any advice?

Thank you

Answer:
In general, if someone is not having ongoing neuropathic pain we do not leave them on a medication. We also recommend having detailed conversations with your providers on how to handle episodes of breakthrough pain – becomes symptoms can fluctuate. There are multiple medications and non-medicinal approaches that can be used to manage pain.

Benjamin M. Greenberg, MD, MHS
Vice Chair of Translational Research and Strategic Initiatives
Cain Denius Scholar of Mobility Disorders
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics
Department of Pediatrics
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas