Well, my memory has been affected since this PN started, but I am on several medications--so it's hard to tell what has caused it. It could just be the pain that causes it as well. When the electrical shocks start, I forget what I was saying, etc.

I started to go off of the medicine, and went in to see my family doctor and asked him about it. He said that 100 mg is a low enough dose that it won't hurt my kidneys. He told me to stay on the Topamax until I see my neurologist (and to keep the appointment with him, even though the nurse stated on the phone that the doctor said he couldn't do anything). The appointment is tomorrow (Friday). So as of right now, I am still taking 100 mg twice a day, but am going to talk to him about it tomorrow. We'll see what he says.

--is the other problem you refer to spinal in nature? I ask in that it is often very hard to distinguish neural symptoms caused by peripheral neuropathy from those caused by pressure on the spinal cord or even from compacting of nerve roots (the subset of neuropathy referred to as "radiculopathy"); the symptoms can "feel" exactly the same.

Yes. I've had back problems since I was born... but I had an MRI last Friday and we found out that I have a herniated disc that is pushing on a nerve. My doctor said it will require surgery--and I'm assuming the orthopedic surgeon will say the same thing. I'm kind of hoping so--I'm hoping he won't want to try 12 different treatments first, because I want to get that taken care of so hopefully the pain can lessen... no pain medicine will even TOUCH this pain. I'm taking oxycodone and tylenol with codeine right now and neither are working...

The problem is that I definitely have neuropathy as well--large fiber and probably small fiber as well (though they didn't do the right testing to find that out). I have motor/balance issues, so even if the surgery relieves some of the pain, I have a feeling that the neuropathy will still be there. It's impossible to tell how much pain is from my back and how much is from the neuropathy.

OMG, I'm so sorry for your pain. I hope I don't make you feel worse but I just want to express that feeling for you. I take oxycodone too and it's the only thing that will really punch my pain level with sfpn so I can only try to imagine how high yours must be. Yes, let's all say "Hurry up, Docs and get the bone off that nerve in your back!" You know there's a higher level of narcotic pain patch that others have found very helpful for their very high pain level---the fentenyal or Duragesic patch, you might ask your Dr. about it and it comes in different strengths. You wear it for 2-3 days and change it, starting low and adding as to your pain level requirements, with your Dr. Until you have surgery, you have to let him know how much you are in pain....don't be shy about it. I learned.....and I'm normally a quieter person. Anyway, I hope you find some relief soon from one way or another. If the patch idea gets nowhere, ask for an increase in the oxycodone....actually ask for that first.

I can't have that patch until I am sure that I can tolerate at least 30 mg of oxycodone a day.. and right now I am only on 10mg of oxycodone 2 times a day... so I would need to be on 15 mg at least twice a day before I can go to the patch.