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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 905
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 905
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Hey there Thaydrian :)
Having neuropathy is a very heavy load to carry....both physically and mentally. I never now what each day will bring......of course as soon as I put my feet on the floor I know 
I am just beginning to put my 'team' together. It's very frustrating and takes a long time it seems. My neuropathy came on suddenly about a month after I finished chemo.....went into chemo as pre-diabetic. I was lucky in that I had a PCP that I had used for almost 6 years. She immediately knew what was wrong and started running tests and gave me hydrocodone 7.5-325. Since all the tests didn't show neuropathy (large fiber) I went to a foot and ankle dr. because I trusted my PCP in her saying it was neuropathy. After the 2nd visit I asked him to do a skin biopsy and it came back that I had severe small fiber neuropathy. The nerves are basically dead in my feet. Test results were 0 out of a possible high of 15.
Just telling you this because I'm still on this journey....I've used a local neuro (we only have 4) and last month he told me he had done all he can and I need to find a pain mgmt. specialist. Since I'm in Georgia I've made an appointment with Emory in Atlanta. Feels like I'm starting all over again.
My PCP has taken the next 2 years off to be with her young children so I've had to use someone else at that clinic. This was the first time I've had to 'ask' for pain medication and it was very uncomfortable for me to do so. But Dr T was very nice and understanding. Also told me not to put all my eggs in the Emory basket (even though this is a satellite clinic of Emory in Atl). Since I was becoming tolerant to the hydro 7.5 he increased me to 10-325. Can't tell that it's helping any more than the 7.5 was. I'm guessing I need to try something else.
Didn't mean to write a book but just wanted you to know that you have to be your own advocate. It can be hard and very depressing. I only drive now when absolutely necessary so getting to dr's appointments means someone in the family has to take off work. Which I hate. I seriously need to see a mental health professional but just haven't decided how I can do that yet. I'm guessing they will want to see me once a week. I can drive but then I'm in bed for 2 days trying to get over it.
I'm so sorry for the pain you are in and I understand. My feet and hands can't take much before I'm at a 10+. By that point I'm hobbling just trying to get somewhere to lay down and more times than not in tears.
Please see your dr and discuss your pain mgmt. with him. If he won't work with you then find another dr.
And please keep us posted or just come on here to vent.
Debi from Georgia
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