Good Evening MrsD

Thanks for the reply.

I actually NEVER have numbness...for the first several years that these sensations became troublesome - I always referred to as burning, and still feel that was accurate. I still get plenty of burning, but what I feel in the sole (as when waking up from sleep) is very much tingling, I can tell the difference pretty clearly.

Good advice on the single vit/med regimen. I'll be completely honest, that I also 'believe' in the placebo effect, so perhaps 'some' of what I experienced from the supplements is that?

I will also say that I walked more yesterday than I usually do in a pair of comfortable running shoes, which I will usually not wear (sandals are my norm, looser fitting). WHen I started my walk and for 20 minutes into it, I was almost normal in sensation with each step, as usual, burning/tingling comes from 'post use' seems accumalative. I just do NOT have a 'normal' tolerance for walking, standing - is this a common complaint in these parts?

How long ago did the PN in your feet present? Are the soles as well as top affected? Nature/level of neuro pain?

I follow you on your comments about the brain/pain loop. What I wonder about, is the common scenario of people that 'wake up' in pain, which I do believe is true for many. Yes, I have near-chronic pain throughout the waking day upon 'normal' contact/activity, but I often do NOT wake up in any/much neuro pain! What would be the distinction between your/my scenario and the 'constant' chronic pain experience of others?

Bravo on the 'standardized' R Lipoic Acid - seems this has really helped you out - good news and hope others are experiencing the same? Not sure IF I've ever taken 'standardized' form? I do know I took a short course (maybe 2 weeks) of R Lipoic almost 4 years ago, is all 'r' standardized?

Words never wiser about NOT focussing on the pain signals - it's the ONLY reason I am still pushing on 5 years later, trying to live better than the day before. I spent all of '07 with NO rx med and I slept only about 15 hours per week from pain against the bedsheets (Ok that was a time when I 'awoke' in pain, almost every night!) Some of my BEST times are when I'm in total concentration with my work, a hobby, my cats etc. Even love my yardwork for a short 'while'...just need to be able to stand/sit/lie longer, not forever or hours, just longer, to do what more of what I must and want to do

MrsD, I again thank you - you're touching more lives with good advice and sound logic than many MDs I've seen.

Take Care,

JB

PS: Anyone who loves kitties (any any animals) is also my kind of person! I have 2 here with me now, not the most affectionate I've owned, but they still provide hope, laughs and love, even at the darkest of times >^^<