Please do not take our comments as criticism. Since you posted here, we suppose that you want our comments. We are just concerned, legitimately I believe, we taking taking a lot of medications. This is because medications have side effects and interactions with one another. Maybe yours are causing you no problems, who knows, but maybe they are. Even if you read all the research on these drugs you will not find the studies that the drugs cos. did not publish, nor the side affects that are presently unknown, nor the interactions with all other drugs. I'm not saying you shouldn't be taking them, I am just concerned. I would try to get off of them if I could, by using supplements instead, lifestyle changes, etc. I wish you well. I am recently having some deep pains too, in my arms, not fun. Neurontin and amitriptyline help me. Also the supplements evening primrose oil and alpha-lipoic acid. Others have suggested r-lipoic instead. There are many supplements that help some PNers, so search this board. Acetyl-l-carnitine is another good one. I recently posted a list from a book I read.
Electron

No criticism intended....I too, use hydrocodone, which I don't see being able to give up....unless there is some magic pill or miraculous recovery.

One more thing I want to make crystal clear....physical dependence on a medication is not addiction.

One can be physically dependent on many meds....even allergy pills....your body gets used to them and has a fit when it doesn't get them...even if you have no emotional attachment. That fit the body has, is, very much like the feelings of neuropathy....burning, restless legs, etc....

The only caution I have is to be more skeptical of those benzodiazepines.....they may seem to fix a problem, such as anxiety, only to produce a physical withdrawal between doses....it's a grind....I know....but if you need it, you need it and everything in life, basically boils down to risk versus benefit. You are not being judged. It is just prudent to look at medications first when analyzing any symptoms.

I understand that the docs can often be 'critical' enough for all of us! And docs can take the brunt of prescribing meds. My own docs are pure cheapskates in doling out the 'painkillers' [not that they do really much good? just salve my conscience] But, sometimes? Getting additional concrete valid opinions by super-or above-average specialists CAN help you on to a diagnosis and then treatment!
IF I ever found something that really worked for me? I'd be chomping the pills down faster then M's! To get a GOOD and whole night's peaceful sleep? Is something I sure would like to get! Hopes and prayers that you do too!
Don't forget tho, that each of us comes here from a wide variety of diagnostics and experiences and doctors....good and bad.
Only YOU good person can find your way thru the testing and meds morass to get the help you need! Don't ever let them tell you you are wrong. YOU KNOW WHAT, at least, isn't RIGHT! Keep at it, it's a hard road, but it can prevent 'things' from getting worse.
I've a friend who's been wrestling the bi-polar and anxiety bear? I do believe that PN pain on top and all that goes with both...sure doesn't help things overall. It is NOT FUN!
Hugs to you, and stop beating your head against an ungiving wall!
My heart is with you and FOR you! Bravery is the only way I can think of you! 's - j

i'm sorry if i seem defensive but you get so many people who want to tell you not to take anything. when i first came down with this disease i really thought i was dying. the medications have been a lifesaver. i too have some concerns about being on a lot of medication. it does hamper ones life to a certain degree. i just feel that my pn is getting worse again and i wanted a few opinions from those who have been were i am. sorry if i jumped to the wrong conclusion. thank you all for taking the time to chime in.

That is so true, topaz. When I was recovering from a hysterectomy, an acquaintance proudly told me that she didn't take one pain pill after she had hers. I laughed and told her she was nuts as I popped another Vicodin. Pointless suffering does not equal bravery in my reckoning of things.

PN makes me think I am dying sometimes.....I have autonomic issues as well and frankly, NUTHIN works right any more....add in the pain. I too, don't like being told I can't take a pain medication.

For me, it seems the pain always up the ante....up the dose....pain ups the ante. I found the way I have to do it is, lower the dose....feel the pain, then resume taking meds....or take a med holiday or some garbage.

With dysautonomia, meds complicate things and make for even more problems....however, at times I can't stand it anymore and I MUST use meds, especially if my work load here at home increases. I don't have the option of 'reducing' my work load.

It does feel at times, like you have been robbed of your life, but, this is the card we drew.....and it IS hard to find people who understand the relentless pain and disability, especially when PN is described as affecting only the feet, with numbness and tingling.

perspectives!
I worry about taking 'some pills w/other pills' because I've learned later that it wasn't good to just swallow 'em all at once in the morning! It can take me all day to take ALL my meds and supplements-some hours apart and others just to be safe each other hour! Can become an all day thing? But you do what you gotta do and only YOU know what that can be. But, being INFORMED [and often confused...know I've been that] comes with the territory. Just keep asking questions and you'll get a room full of answers? But maybe one room will feel just what you need.
As for some ?'s on meds? This is our forum for that:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum72.html
As for supplements?:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum49.html
Peppermint Patty? THIS last one is the one you need to cruise thru! Mrs D [who is on vacation now, and a well deserved one?] Has been a rock of sanity and info about calciums, and other supplements. Don't try to read it all at once tho? Your brain can turn to mush if you 'overdose' on all this info!

Hugs to all! 's!!!!!!!!!!! - j

I can't be taking pills all day. I gotta gulp 'em all in the am and in the pm before bed. In between, there are just too many thing in the way, at work. and it just doesn't comply with my schedule. So I just hope that they all can do their job withbeing together (mostly in the am before leaving the house for work).

I am on vacation and only have a short time on this wifi...

But I'd like to welcome you here to our forum. I see two glaring things... Prilosec will deplete several nutrients over time:

B12,
folate
calcium
magnesium
zinc
iron

I think you should get a B12 test done ASAP and also have Vit D done. People who use alot of medications often get depleted in nutrients and it can be different for different drugs. I don't have my references with me but I do have that Prilosec memorized...it is very common and I post it often.

Muscles require many things, including B6 for proper functioning. High doses of Prozac can also cause movement disorders but it is unclear if you have that exactly.

This site gives a summary of some depletions so you can look at that until I get back. Some drugs are too new to appear on these lists too.
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTR...orticosteroids

You might find d-ribose useful...I have a thread here on it as I have been using it for about 3 months. It gives a nice improvement in stamina--
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=ribose