Neuropathy

[livingwith]

I am 64 years of age and have been diagnosed with this PN stuff(the burning, stinging, shooting pains disease from hell). It started over 4 years ago with 2 toes on my right foot going numb and now both feet are almost numb but I do have my mobility. I finally went to my doctor over a year ago and he put me on gabapentin(300mg per day and 1 metanx per day). I didn’t get any better so I went to a podiatrist and he told me to live with it(a “a two-bit ass—-” so I went to an...Read the full article

[karensmatic]

I'm sorry to hear about the pain you are in, I can relate. I have PN in my arms and hands and legs and feet, from chemo treatment for my cancer. I have tried prescription medications, massage, heat, hot tub, vitamin B and I find some relief from all of these, but nothing long lasting. I heard accupuncture might help, but haven't tried it yet, but I REALLY like the idea of a joint, maybe that will do it!! Desperate pain calls for desperate relief! Sorry I don't have any more ideas, but know you are not alone in your pain. I won't tell you things like "everything will be fine" or my personal favorite "it's all in your head"! I will tell you that I'm sorry I don't have any more ideas, but know you are not alone in your pain. I will pray God's healing to your body and strength to your Spirit.
Karen

[pianoboat]

sorry to hear about your problems.I am 73 and have had it in my hands and feet for 10 years.I am now up tyo 1000 mgs of gabapentin and 2 50 mgs of tramadol a day.It It is not getting better but its getting worse.Sooooo I went and had acupuncture by a chinese dr and it ddid not help Soooo I went and had the operation on both hands and feet cost me a small fortune with no results All he did was scratch his head and smile saying it would take time well its been a year nowhow long do I have to waitI have also taken symbalta, lyrica, and I can go on and on.whew!!!!!. my last option is slow release morphene will have to see a pain DR.oh by the way Ihave diabetus 2. I hope I was of some help pal















i wished I had all this info before I got raked over the coals YOUR friend in suffering bobby J

[pianoboat]

[quote="karensmatic"]I'm sorry to hear about the pain you are in, I can relate. I have PN in my arms and hands and legs and feet, from chemo treatment for my cancer. I have tried prescription medications, massage, heat, hot tub, vitamin B and I find some relief from all of these, but nothing long lasting. I heard accupuncture might help, but haven't tried it yet, but I REALLY like the idea of a joint, maybe that will do it!! Desperate pain calls for desperate relief! Sorry I don't have any more ideas, but know you are not alone in your pain. I won't tell you things like "everything will be fine" or my personal favorite "it's all in your head"! I will tell you that I'm sorry I don't have any more ideas, but know you are not alone in your pain. I will pray God's healing to your body and strength to your Spirit.
Karen[/quote]
atta girl karen!! bobby J

[ivoryone]

Hi I too suffer from peripheral neuropathy...not very nice, is putting it lightly. Many doctors have many opinions and when it comes to the nervous system it seems there are all kinds of guessers out there (doctors who get it wrong). (it makes matters both worse and better because I am a Registered Nurse and know too much) I research a lot!! I have my pain from the result of rhabodomylysis...long story and several back surgeries that messed with my L5 etc nerves. I had a neurologist do a study and confirmed that in fact the left tibial nerve is damaged. Years ago I had nerve damage in my right upper extremity after my 1st back surgery due to bad operating room positioning. My right arm has returned about 80% - yeah!! I am almost positive that the same thing is going on with my left leg. However, both legs are affects. As for pain relief I use gabapentin and it works pretty good. Overall, I have a very sensitive nervous system which was worsened when I was not treated properly for the pain in my low back - it actually (based on empirical studies) changes up the nervous system to not work as it should.

As for the suggestions for pain relief: Gabapentin helps
Accupuncture for me helps but it has to be one of those ones who practice by putting the needles away from the injured sight but on the same meridian points. It helped me tremendously both for the pain and the depression that comes from having pain and what it takes away from your life.

Doing Weed has it's downfalls and works for some and not for others. As for cutting the nerves - scary you're asking for them to mess with your already affected nervous system. I would continue seeking out a GOOD neurologist. There is some topical stuff my neuro doc wrote me a script for I still need to have it filled - it's an apothecary type product and I'll bet you would benefit from that too.

I hope I have helped you. As for me it is good to share and know there are others' lives out there that are affected by this pain.

P.S. I just read an interesting article in 'Neurology Now' March/April issue about people suffering from 'CRPS': Complex Regional Pain syndrome & 'RSD' Interestingly, there is a doc. in PA who is doing some studies on this and has helped many people eliminate (wow) the pain. here is their website: rschwartz@drexelmed.edu for a Dr. Schwartzman 1-215-762-7090 (phone)

I hope this helps and gives you some info.

[casanot]

I have heard that here is tens unit which can supply electrical impulses to the problem area and relax the muscles. The claim is that the impulses can also regenerate and restore the nerves to normal.

I have also read an ad from a plastic surgeon at the DELLON INSTITUTE in Baltimore. He claims to have
an out-patient procedure that clips and relieves the nerve that transmits the pain from the feet. I don't
understand the principles of these techniques but I am desperate enough to investigate these claims.
There has to be a solution!

[rononeal]

I have idiopathic PN. Symptoms include numbness; tingling, stabbing pain, electric shock, buzzing, burning feet, and the feeling of walking on rocks (sometimes glass) barefooted. Lyrica controls the stabbing pain and electric shock. The tingling, numbness, buzzing, and burning remain and nothing helps the rock (glass) feeling making walking painful. Acupuncture did nothing to improve the problem.

[sarahbh]

Do your symptoms get worse at night? I have similar symptoms and can't sleep.

[patwhite101]

I am new here and also suffer with Neruopathy and I want to weep when I read of others who also suffer with it.
I have suffered the past 5 years with pain from my knees down into my feet. Mine was caused by nerve damage from 2 spinal surgeries in my lumbar spine....L4 & L5. The nerves that excit the spine in that area run down the side of your leg into your feet. Scar tissue from the 2 surgeries is impinging on that nerve. I also have rods and screws in that same area. My nerve damage is now permanent.
The pain from the Neruopathy is savage!!
I never gave up hope that i would find help....and I did!!! My pc Doctor who was treating me with high doses of narcotics for the pain referred me to a Neurologist who did nerve conduction tests and blood work. Same report as I had before....Neuropathy brought on by nerve damage!! No cure!!
He insisted I try Lyrica which I had tried before but no help from it and I told hem so but he gave me 2 bottles and insisted I try them which i did. Huge mistake!! I had a terrible reaction to it!!
This Neurologist referred me to a Pain Clinic and every day I thank my lucky stars he did. It turned out to be the best PC in my state and is known all over the US for their cutting edge treatment of chronic pain. The first thing my Pain Doctor recommended for me was a SCS trial(spinal cord stimulator) I had researched all about an SCS on the net and knew that was what I wanted for my pain. I had also checked into pain pumps and knew I wanted one or the other. The pain pumps have a lot of problems and are a bit risky and the Pain Doctor I was seeing will not implant one because of the high risks involved.
To make my long rambling story short.....I had the stimulator trial. It was a success! The stimulator reduced my leg pain by 100% and my savage foot pain by 50%!! Yippeeeeeeeeeee
A SCS (spinal cord stimulator) is a device that is implanted under the skin that sends out mild electrial impulses that stops pain signals from reaching your brain. Actually you trade one sensation (pain) for another sensation(tingling). I will take the tingling any day to the pain.
On the 4th of June I had the permanent implant and could not be happier. I have my life back!! I still must take narcotics for the break thru foot pain but in much lower doses than i was taking. Isn't that wonderful??
I would recommend a spinal cord stimulator for everyone with Neuropathy. For me it has been a life saver!! I have a life again and can walk free of pain. I am no longer confined to my house and to a chair. When I fully recover from the implant surgery I will be able to garden again and do everything i was able to do before!! Life is good!!
Patsy