Good afternoon; I am a brand new user and this is my very first post to this web site.

My name is Darrell and I am from British Columbia, Canada. I was diagnosed with "Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy" just over eight years ago. Idiopathic is just a fancy term for unknown cause. I am currently 48 years of age & prior to my diagnosis, I had no other health concerns.

It has been a bit of a roller coaster of seeing different Neurologists, blood work, nerve conduction tests, punch biopsy and a whole multitude of different pharmaceuticals.

I completely understand and sympathize with the extreme burning and electrical shocks that can be associated with "P.N.". Please don't give up hope on treatments. During the last eight years I have charted my progress and have found that I do have periods of almost complete remission, followed by periods of intense pain. I used to make note of the types of food that I ate, amount that I exercised and even took the weather into consideration.

Here is what my Neurologist currently prescribes for my "P.N.". I take Lyrica (75mg X two-twice daily), Amitriptlyne (3 X 10mg-once nightly) & Topirimate (25Mg-twice daily).

You mentioned that you don't take any pain medications. You definitely should speak to your doctor regarding pain management options. My regime for pain management includes taking (Hydromorphone-13mg-twice daily); this is a slow release opiate, so it is basically in your system twenty four seven. If I have what is called a flare up, I use 4 mg Dilaudid, which are fast acting & definitely help to nullify the pain quickly. I will be honest and say that I have never been prescribed anything, narcotics included that will manage my pain completely, but the trick is to keep it under control.

Exercising even when you are in pain or discomfort is absolutely paramount. I'm not stating you need to go out and do a marathon (absolutely not), but even a gentle walk around the block a couple of times to get the blood moving to these damaged nerves will help.

I don't want to overload you with information, but my Neurologist also encourages me to supplement my treatment by taking certain supplements and vitamins on a regular basis. Here is just a few of them: R-Lipoic Acid, Benfotiamine, Methylcobalmin, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Hi Potency Vitamin B, etc.

My regime of medications and supplements may not be the best regime for you. It has simply been trial and error over the course of eight years to find what works for me best. It has not been easy by any means, but I do have to support myself, which means that I have to manage full time job. Some days are no problem, other days I really have to fight through every minute of the day.

NEVER loose hope and remember that you are not alone. We may not know each other, but we have more in common already that most people do.

Clinical trials on underway all over the globe, and I simply keep my fingers crossed that it will simply be a matter of time before the headlines read “Cure for Peripheral Nerve Disease". What a day that will be for all.

kind regards,

Darrell