Originally Posted by Idiopathic PN

Hi everyone. I am new in this group. So, kindly bear with me... i hope to get some insights from members of the same condition as mine.
Last July 2011, I was diagnosed of Peripheral Neuropathy due to my feet pain (which I thought was just a result of my regular walking). When my neurologist said that I have PN, I told him that I have no diabetes (which I thought was the only cause of PN). He said that mine is idiopathic neuropathy.
I thought that it was just one of those "passing conditions" that will go away with enough rest knowing that I was not given any prescription or any tests or further follow-ups.
Months after my visit to my neuro, I went to a rheumatologist for my arthritis. I was given Plaquenil mid September 2011 and by October 20, I experienced this severe itching all over my body: arms, legs, neck and torso (but mostly in my legs and arms). I thought it was due to Plaquenil. My rheumatologist told me to stopped Plaquenil and gave me Vistaril. I was on Vistaril for 2 weeks but nothing improved. The itchiness became a deep, sharp stabbing pins and needles and burning sensations. I went back to my neurologist and he gave me several tests: 1. thyroid antibodies, 2. Lyme Disease, 3. Sedementation Rate, 4.Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide, 5. CRP Standard, 6. Rheumatoid Factor, 7. Anti-Hm Antibodies, 8. Immunofixation Serum, 9. RPR, 10. Urine test - to find heavy metal and 11. Brain MRI, 11. Vit B12 (normal). All results came back negative.
I would have been happy of the negative results but it makes me sad because there was no underlying condition to be treated to stop the neuropathy. The symptoms came on so suddenly and severely.
I am now on Gabapentin 100mg 3caps 3x a day. My neuro said that i can play around my dosage for as long that I dont exceed 12 caps. I have been trying to experiment what dosage works for me but so far I am still in the process. I am so frustrated with this horrible pain. Even the touch of my clothes is giving me so pain.
I tried a number of acupuncture sessions, unfortunately, it did not work for me. I am also using Capsaicin cream, and it gives me severe burning sensation. For 2 weeks, the burning sensation masked the stabbing pain but it does not do anything for the pain in my feet. After two weeks, the cream just gave me the very uncomfortable burning sensation and no longer work to mask the pins and needles pain
I am taking Synthroid, Glucosamine, Vit B12, Calcium and Vit E. I stopped taking Plaquenil afraid that it might aggravate the neuropathy. So now, other than my painful fingers, I have to live with the neuropathic pain.

I am encouraged by your improvements because sometimes, I don’t know how to cope with this horrible pain.
Thank you very much in advance for your thoughts. I will also equally appreciate any ideas and/or experiences that other members can share with me.