Brian who posts here also lives in Australia.

Search his name on members list... he has some low cost ideas that he used.

While on your journey for a cause and cure, be aware of your footwear. Having a physical job you may be wearing tight closed shoes. If you have relief without shoes, then you need to find socks and shoes that do not restrict. My neuropathy began in my right foot and moved to the left. Itching, burning, sweating, and a sense of it crawling up my right leg. I refused the drugs and pursued the supplements, but the most relief has come from wearing flip flops, a cool type of crocks and larger shoes when I have to. not all socks are equal either. It can really keep your sanity. I have occasional flair ups but still no drugs. I know this whole thing sucks, but don't give up.

The side effects with the Lyrica are horrible to start, but if you stay with it the side effects get easier. Just stay with it and fake it through the side effects. I had to work while dealing with them and my job requires me to make financial arrangements with patients. It was very difficult. But after about 6 weeks the side effects went away. Just keep telling yourself they don't last forever.

Hi everybody, I would like to ask a question. I have been taking Lyrcia 25mg 3 times a day. It's been helping my feet on end but I've now developed chronic constipation. I don't want to take laxatives because I know they are no good to take. Can someone please give me a soluton to this problem. Thanks.

Oh yes the dread constipation which I know too well. A few things I have tried I will suggest. Prune juice or baby prune food,healthy fats lubricate and ground flaxseed which was suggested you can put in oatmeal which has fats but also fiber,adequate water,for me I think the magnesium I take helps to an extent,enough fiber from whole foods but not too much. I am not sure if you can do any activity but that helps I think keep things move. Coffee aids sometimes or other warm beverages.

Here's a recipe for "natural fruit laxative spread" that has appeared multiple times on alt.support.chronic-pain (also available via Google Groups) I believe the original source is Dr. Work, MD, who used to post on that group many years ago.

I'd say, "Enjoy!" but.... y'know....

Doc

This recipe, also known as Yakima paste is quite effective for many on an ongoing basis. I have a problem with chronic thrush so I substitute molasses for the sugar. The dried fruit has considerable sugar to start with. I also add one half pound of dried apricots for flavor. I use various protocals and rotate them about every ten days as they become less effective. Go figure. Hope everyone has a comfortable and blessed weekend.

Molasses itself is quite laxative for many people!
It is a good choice.

Molasses (by itself) is on my "rotation" for keeping things moving. I take a large spoonful (sorry no exact amount) and chase it with a glass of hot water. You could just make a hot drink out of it but to be honest, I don't care for the flavor. I just "take my medicine" and chase it with hot water. Hydration is sooo important. I think most of us know that we need to be mindful to keep our vegetable and fruit fiber up but if you have a sluggish colon and don't stay well hydrated, the fiber can set up like a cement block. I "juce" just about every day and often add some molasses for good measure.

I mentioned that when I dug this recipe out this afternoon for a post in another forum. I was thinking of diabetics at the time, but in looking it over, I'd have to find something else entirely if I ever needed something like this. Sugar is pretty much off the table (wordplay intended ) for me between the pain diet and being a PN trigger. I guess I'll cross that bridge if/when I come to it.

I see it appears in the archives under Yakima paste going back as far as '06. I'd never heard of it by that name until just now. A cursory googling suggests it may be (related to) an old trapper's bait - probably the stuff the exterminator we hired used for coaxing the raccoons out of our crawlspace...

Who'da thunk raccoons had constipation issues?

Doc