Hi
my neuropathy of the feet has been getting worse. Around Christmas I was so desperate for relief I went to some chiros fior help. I was stupid and fell for their BS, paid 8K up fornt and its 12 weeks in and I have no relief, if aything it feels worse.

I have every test result; they did all sorts of blood, i did a saliva test, jeez even some poop got tested. I can share any of those values.

let me give a bit more background. about 3 years ago I had a bad gout attack. actually within a month two of them. so bad I broke blood vessels in the one foot, they put me on 2 antibiotics, and during treatment one day my feet were like on fire. and from then on I had some neuropathy. then it was in the 2 and 3 toes mostly. MD did blood at that time. Fasting Blood Sugar was like high 80's. told me it must be from my back as I have chronic lower back pain from 3 bulging discs. over time I went to orthopedic for an EMG. told me neuropathy not from my back. next physical year MD says maybe its something to do with the gout. send me rheumatologist. he increase allopurinol to 300mg day and sends me away. next year, feet getting worse. end of big toe is red 100% of the time. spreading to ball of foot. MD says we have a Podiatrist now, go see him. pod tells me I have some nueroma that runs across the base of the toes dont remember the name. gives alchohol shots, then cortisone, I get 1-2 days small relief thats it. sells me orthotics and wants me to see the prolotherapist. i run away fast.

so this september i have my physical and feet are the #1 thing i want to know what to do. MD sendfs me to neurologist. he sends all sorts of blood tests, does a simple exam, telss me my Hemoglobin AiC test shows a 6.0 and thats the cause of my neuropathy. nothing I can do. fix that blood sugar, wished me luck and sent me on my way.

so by xmas I dont know what to do, I see these chiro on TV and I go and give them 8k up fornt for 6 months. its 13 weeks today and NO RELIEF.



what values from these tests should I post so you all can help me with some supplements and such. I currently take 1800 Neurontin twice a day.

I take some suplements now for neuro help:
B Right 2 a day.
4gm Lovaza so plenty of omega3(high tri like ~200)


what welse might help?

has anyone tried cymbalta and had any luck?

Thanks in advance for any help.
God Bless!

Rob

A1C of 6.0 is exactly where it should be according to my doctor - she's a gp though. said mine was too low. 5.6, 5.3...

anyway, in addition to gabapentin i take oxycodone 5mg instant release which seems to help. i have pain other places too, mostly my right arm, but i have diabetic neuropathy in my feet as well.

so thats my 2 cents, hope you get some relief soon

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Gout IS very painful.

I'd wonder what your B12 level is/was, and your Vit D.

Also with gout, there is a simple thing that might work.
Sodium bicarbonate therapy. A small amount of this may neutralize some of the uric acid and allow you to pass it.

I think only one B right is enough for you.

I'd also use some magnesium supplement, because you need that to metabolise the omega-3s properly. Do not choose a supplement with OXIDE in it. Choose either SlowMag or a chelate like gluconate or citrate or carbonate.

Here is my magnesium information thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Proper amounts of magnesium are necessary to turn off the pain receptors called NMDA receptors. Most people do not eat the foods that contain this necessary mineral today. So please read that thread.

If you can copy your test results here, I think many would like to see them, like me. These new chiropractors, are offering this now, and I'd like to see if their testing is useful for all that money.

http://www.best-gout-remedies.com/bakingsoda.html

I use AlkaSeltzer original formula for this myself. But in order to use it, you must be able to tolerate aspirin. I don't take it every day...just when I seem to get a flare. There is an non aspirin one, but it has to be special ordered...it is called AlkaSeltzer Gold. Also a product called TriSalts, works, but you have to get that online too.

Overuse of bicarbonate salts is not recommended...so please read that link carefully.

thanks all BUT.......................


im sorry. i put way too much info in the first post. I have NOT HAD a GOUT problem in almost 4 years.


I NEED HELP with my neuropathy that i think started when i had that gout attack in 08.

I went to the chiro's for the neuropathy. and I will post up the results later.
They tell me I am 'pre-diabetic' yet have neuropathy symptons of a FULL BLOWN diabetic.


And that is what i am looking for help with.




so for supplements, what should I be taking? Let me know what blood test results are needed to help determine this? I tried the sticky's but got lost very fast.



thanks all!

Robert

a four or five hour glucose tolerance test that measures both glucose and insulin levels at regular intervals

Gout never goes away....it is a lifetime thing, unless you were on specific chemo for blood cancers (this chemo causes gout as a secondary thing).

There are other issues going on with you too.

One is the medication issue.

Allopurinol is a known causer of PN. If you are still taking it,
I suggest you discuss with your doctor alternative treatments.
While it is not a high incidence, it does occur.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8385614

Also I wonder about what antibiotics you took. Gout does not typically cause infections. But it can resemble cellulitis in severe cases. And cellulitis is often treated with Cipro or Levaquin, both are now known to cause PN.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post661103-2.html

Impaired glucose tolerance can be a trigger for PN too. A1Cs of 6.0 are not that terrible, and still in a normal range. (depending on age)
Here is a link with a table:
http://www.diabeteschart.org/bloodsugarchart.html

However, 6.0 shows a tendency for increasing with time.

So I think you need to find out the names of the antibiotics you took. If you are still on Zyloprim, you need to consider that.
And you need to see an endocrinologist who can diagnose and manage your blood sugars properly.

PN continues and progresses unless things in the environment change. You may always have some echo of it, if you do manage to control it. We have a member here, Brian, who did major lifestyle and diet changes and was successful. You can search the member list and read some of his posts.

Some dietary things can cause PN. Gluten intolerance is one.
This is a very good link with medical information that you can read:
http://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/

Nightshade veggies, also seem to cause burning and PN symptoms in some people. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. Avoiding these may reduce symptoms too if you are sensitive to them.

There are supplements for diabetic neuropathy.
If that turns out to be your problem with testing showing those results, then I can list them for you here.

I understand that gout never goes away. My CURRENT issue is with the sensory nerves NOT joints.

Current Medications:

Allopurinol 300mg To control Uric Acid - Gout
Lisinopril 20mg Blood Pressure
Lovaza 4gm Triglycerides - currently ~ 200
Metformin 500mg x 2 To control blood sugar
Neurontin 1800x2 For Neuropathy

Supplements:

D3 2000x2
600mg Calcium
Daily - Maximum Complete
B-Right x2

In 2008 for the antibiotics I took Bactrim. That was one. It is know to cause P/N but it was almost 4 years ago now. Like I said, I THINK the antibitics caused my PN at the time and over the last almost 4 years it has gotten worse. but what can I do about taking it back then?

The chiro took 3 major tests. Blood, Stool, and Sailva.

Saliva:
Gliadin Ab, SIgA (saliva) = 47 (positive >15) found in glutens Does this mean i cant have gluten????


Total Salivary SIgA = <5 Depressed (normal 25-60) ?
Milk = Negative
Soy Protein = Positive
Egg = Positive


Blood test highlights

Vit D = 37.3 ( normal >60)
Ferritin, Serum = 562 (<400)
Triglycerides = 192 ( <150)
HDL Cholesterol = 38 ( >39)
Thyroxine (T4) = 5.4 ( needs higher)
Hemoglobin A1c = 6.0
TSH = 1.470
Uric Acid = 5.1

I didnt see anything good in the poop test.

I would like to know what supplements to take to try and control the PN myself. THe stickieis are confusing. Any help???


TIA
Rob

I have a few comments.... while I also don't know everything about everything...I do see a few things that you might consider.

1). That elevated ferritin I think you should get further testing for hemochromatosis... which is iron overload.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/h...xams-and-tests
This genetic disease can cause PN, and your ferritin is high.
It would be a good idea to further test, to see if you have this.

2) Chronic use of metformin can lead to low B12 levels. So I would get that tested, and make sure you have at least 400-500 reading (don't accept "normal" from your doctor, as the ranges in US include very low numbers.)

3) yes, it looks like you have gluten problems, and need blood work to confirm that. You may be gluten intolerant. Here is our gluten forum to read up on. Some posts there discuss the the blood tests and the interpretation of them:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=13

4)Also discuss with your doctor if the allopurinol (Zyloprim) is still necessary. Or if another drug would be an improvement since allopurinol has caused PN in some patients. The new Uloric may be an option for you. Or cautious use of bicarb supplements.
http://www.uloric.com/febuxostat/all...omparison.aspx

5) one B-right a day may be enough for you.
http://www.jarrow.com/product.php?prodid=57

It is a pretty comprehensive formula.

I would add a quality magnesium supplement. The Omega-3 fish oil and B-right need magnesium to work properly. Diabetics (you are taking metformin)... typically lose magnesium in the urine for some reason and become low. Magnesium Oxide, is not absorbed and won't work. The body also needs magnesium for proper bone health and strength.

Thanks mrsD.

I have been reading lots from your links. Thanks for them.
I will look into magnesium.

I have a follow up with my MD to go over a few things and dicuss some further testing.

ROb