How to Treat Neuropathy Pain

I am stage 0 and do not have any personal experience with neuropathic pain.  But I was with my friend when she had stage IV pancreatic cancer when she went to a palliative care doc when her pain meds were not working.

**She did not have neuropathy, but had neurogenic pain (in her abdomen)** which may make a huge difference?

The palliative care doc said that the meds that tend to work for neuropathic pain are: methadone, neurontin, low dose amitriptyline (an antidepressant that also can work for neuropathic pain) and  maybe Darvocet (which is no longer on the market).  She put my friend on methadone, and for her it was a miracle.  She did not complain of pain again for the 6 months remaining for her.  She was even able to drive herself while on methadone (until her cancer worsened.)  

Methadone has a 'bad reputation' because its used for heroin addicts.  My friend didn't care, and I certainly didn't care as long as it worked.  I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone.  You have to start out on a very low dose because it is long acting.  But its 'dirt cheap'.  Some say that it causes cardiac QT interval enlongation, but this doc said she'd never seen it.  

Methadone is a CII drug (requires a triplicate as does Oxycontin.)

I just saw a continuing education for health professionals segment about chronic pain http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/754544 (you have to sign up for a free account), that was talking about meds like duloxetine, alternative measures like acupunture, but it is something that takes time, and her expectations were reducing pain score from a 10 to an 8 was considered a success, and any additional gain was gravy.