Inspired by this forum, I recently made the following changes:

added to my supplements: 200 mg/d of Co-Q10 and 1000 mg of L-carnatine
eliminated from my diet: glutens (at least most; I'm still learning)

Then, about 5 days into my new regimen something strange happened: one evening I found myself walking back to my car at the end of the workday with virtually no pain in my feet!

Since that day the pain has returned - but does not seem quite as strong or constant as before -- (am I just getting more used to it?)

In any event, I'm puzzled to know if that brief respite was connected to my new regimen or perhaps just another quirk of this quirky condition. (I should also confess, on the evening without pain, perhaps suffering from delusions of adequacy, I succumbed to a modest slice of birthday cake.)

Symptomatically I've had gradually increasing numbness for almost 10 years, but only really started noticing pain about 6 months ago. The pain has been only from walking and has been getting progressively worse to the point where I now tend to avoid walking where possible.

There are good days and bad. Sometimes I get really BAD when there are low pressures in the weather bringing storms...etc.

When the barometric pressures are HIGH I typically feel much better. I had my first burning of December, 2 nights ago as this snow system approached us!

But the supplements may be helping too, but it is early days yet.

Thanks for the feedback, Mrs. D. We just had the first big low pressure system of the year arrive in So. Cal and I seemed to experience the same worsening. Do you have any explanation for that?

Meanwhile I'm looking at new diet restrictions occasioned by another health issue. At this rate I'll soon be down to a diet of nothing but cabbage. I saw in another one of your posts where you suggested a way of testing for intolerance would be go off gluten for a while and then go back on them and see if there were any adverse effects. Do you think 3 weeks off would be too short a time for this test?

For gluten, no. The effects of gluten are wide and far-reaching, and take time to resolve.

I would say 3-6 months for a real observation.

I would DIE on cabbage... I can't handle any gaseous food because of my twisted intestines!

There was a TV link back a few pages that Cyclelops put up...that showed a demonstration using marshmallows, in a vacuum chamber. When the pressure goes low, they swell up considerably, and when the pressure is higher they go back to normal. I thought that was a good illustration of our tissues swelling up and causing pain by pressing on nerves most likely. HOUSE, the TV show recently had a rerun of House on an airplane with a passenger in terrible pain, etc, and the upshot of that was, the guy had the bends! From diving on vacation and coming up too quickly, and the nitrogen gas was exiting the blood in his tissues and joints. Same idea.

I think the LOW pressures are really painful. Sometimes the USA map has 4 of them at one time...and those are the worst.
Some people get migraines based on barometric pressure changes!

Most food intolerances need about a month for an accurate result. Some places do 2 weeks, but I think a month would be better.

Ok, thanks.

If I understand correctly you're saying that it would be 3-6 months before any improvement might be noted and 2 to 4 weeks (preferably 4) before going back on would create a noticeable adverse effect.

The gluten thing is longer because of the nature of the reactions.
When inflammation is present in gluten patients in the intestine, then nutrients are not absorbed well...and loss of them, creates other problems as well. Sometimes it is difficult to separate out the gluten from the low zinc or low B12 or low iron that may be present as well.

Other food intolerances often show up faster, so 2-4 weeks on an elimination diet for them, is typical.

Some things like MSG will cause burning instantly...same day.
But the potatoes that were my cause, often didn't cause burning until the next day or so. So it was hard to pin that one down for me.

I think dairy is a quick one too. Nuts are pretty quick too.

When the atmospheric pressure gets lower for me, I FEEL better! Go figger. To make it worse? Those 'allergies'? Ive been tested for both environmental [molds and bacterials] AND food allergies! Zip. SIGH....
I will eat what I tend to need, in terms of 'x' amout of protiens, fibers and such? But I also supplement...knowing that it can and does take months to years for all sorts of problems to heal or re-adjust.
Listen to Mrs D, please! She is smarter than a whole bunch of us combined! And...she knows about PN pains and complications we all suffer from!
ANY DAY WITHOUT PAIN IS A GOOD DAY! Don't seek them? Just appreciate them when they happen. That you CAN be w/o pain for even a bit? Means that you are on your way to slowly getting better!
There are no guarantees about this all however. Sometimes new and 'other' things happen that can put you on your butt - literally. Happened to me more than once, but? I keep getting back up for more of the same 'whatever'!
We are ALL different, and the various hundreds of PN hit us in soo many different ways! Yes, it hurts? But more important is to get your brain in shape to fight this and fight for yourself and your independence!
Alternative options get too complicated and need others to help you get 'around'. NOT FUN! I will walk in pain as long as I CAN DO IT ON MY OWN STEAM and at my own terms! Keep hoping and pushing and have faith in yourself that you CAN get thru this somehow! Hugs and hope and 's!!!!!!!! - j

You are not alone Dahlek!

My husband feels better during the lows too. His problems are mostly sinus tho, not like me. I don't have sinus pain much or headaches.

That is just opposite of me. I start hitting the Aleve bottle sometimes during LOWS! It is mostly my arthritis that acts up with weather changes. But I've been known to burn, and my hands get numb too sometimes. (I have more numbness in my hands than in the feet.)

I have no to low pain times, usually about an hour after taking Lyrica & Tramadol,
But low presssure when storms are brewing is the trigger

The SINUSES! Yikes How could I forget THAT! They start making my ears go POP! as in airplanes? Down or UP? That pressure changes and I've got that 'echo' thing in the ears&brain! Must be what's wrong with me?
That tylenol or aleve bottle does come in handy at such times for sure!

As for any days w/o Pain? I guess I treasure the 'wake-up time'? Right then, I'm warm and sleepy and relaxed. No cramps or such. Then That I am ABLE to get up and outta bed? And then Such? Wow!!! I am amazed each day that I can, and am able to do these little simple things! Honestly, the rest of the day is Gravy on top of the steak!

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