Hi all,

My name is Jim and I just found this resource while trying to figure out what is going on with me.

For the last 6 months to a year, I noticed my feet would start aching during the day and then my legs started aching as well. One morning I noticed that as I put on my socks, I was already agitated by the feel of them. Putting my shoes on made it worse.

Last week I broke down (no insurance and recently unemployed) and went to my GP and he said he was sure it was PN. He gave me some vitamin B pills that were supposed to be super strong (don't have them here at this location to give you the name) and prescribed Neurotrin (sp?).

I'm taking 100 mgs twice a day and sometimes I think I get some relief, but usually it does very little. I seem to get tired from it.

My pain is an 'achy', dull feeling that just wears on me as the day goes on. The pain is in my feet and as I sit at tmy desk, it hurts right behind my thighs, near where the chair touches my legs. Nights are becoming worse as sitting seems to be no better than standing. Sleeping is not a problem although the other day I layed down because I was feeling beat and for the first time my feet hurt where they touched the bed.

I am now wearing flip flops only and cant imagine trying to wear shoes and socks again. It's instant pain if I try.

Anyway, does this sound like PN to you folks with more experience? I guess this is the poor man's second opinion.

Oh yeah, one more question.... Is it ok to excercise in this condition? I live about a half hour from the beach and going barefoot on the sand doesnt seem to bother my condition. I don't want to agrivate, but walking on (and surf fishing) at the beach is one of my last pleasures

Thank you,
Jim

Hi Jim,

Most of us started with some numbness & tingling, burning sensations, and hypersensitivity, but everyone is different. The back of the leg thing sounds like it could be a pressure-related impingement thing. I don't know much about ergonomic chairs, but something to think about. Have you tried sleeping with your legs/feet elevated? Worth a shot.

I wear street shoes when I go out, but whenever I can, I'm wearing some cheapie fleece/foam slippers I got at "Alphabet Mart" - surprisingly comfortable for PN.

Exercise is fine, and we should all get it if we can - standard overdoing admonishments apply....

Neurontin can make you tired, but if that's the worst side effect, you're doing pretty good. That may dissipate in time. You also may develop some tolerance and/or need to increase dosage - someting to discuss with your doctor if necessary.

Doc

I have major issues with socks and shoes. Now I tend to go in extremes though I have to wear shoes basically all hours. Socks I go in phases where I can't wear them at all and then at times I am able. I will say that when I stop wearing them again it is hard to phase them back in.
I am working on trying to do things not in extremes cause it is too hard physically to change them after my body gets used to another way. Even when I was away from using stairs for a couple weeks when I had to use them again it was so painful.
I know a lot of people wear flip flops but I have read that they are very bad for support and actually can cause issues. I know it is hard at the time when in so much pain and it is a catch 22.
200 of neurontin is very small. I am on 2700 and my doctor said some need 3500.
I think you need to get into a neurologist for dx testing. I am not a fan of doctors who guess. Sorry to sound negative against your doctor just that it is important to get appropriate dx sooner then later. I also would get complete bloodwork done. Was your B levels low?

--but the most common ones are slow, progressive farthest-extremities-first-and-then-upwards-over-time, and your progression sounds a bit different; enough so that I suspect, as Dr. Smith does, something that is more compressive in nature, possibly in the lumbar or sacral spine/nerve roots, which can casue exactly the same sorts of symptoms (one reason that pinning down causes of neuropathic symptoms is so difficult).

And, the dull, achy feeling, with sitting being problematic but sleeping being easier to tolerate--lower back compressions tend to ease in a recumbent position--does tend to imply that sort of etiology.

I think an MRI of the lower spine is in order (if you can get it).

Thank you everyone for your thoughful responses. You all obviously are well versed in this problem. I'm also so sorry that you have to be.

The dr. upped my dosage x2 so I'm taking 4 100's a day now which is better, it seems.

I went to the beach with the wife yesterday and surf-fished for about 3 hours and NEVER thought about my feet. I need to get a job that makes me play on the sand all day and I'll be set! I do have a nice 'sore' feeling in my legs today, but it's the kind you feel after exercising, so that's good.

As far as my dr. 'guessing' - he's actually being cool since I'm uninsured and currently broke. He gave me the vitamin B supplements as samples (all he had) and didnt charge me for my visit.

I will see how the new dosage works for me and continue reading this site for more knowledge.

My short term goal is to wear shoes and socks.

Thanks again!