What... the ringing in my ears is because I need a higher dose?

Marty, No no, the ringing in my ears is from the tramadol, when I have taken a higher dose. Have you ever had this with aspirin? Same sound. I meant it was time for a higher dose of Neurontin. Sorry to be abrupt, but your post scared me. I didn't want to mislead you.

Thank you for this thorough explanation. Sadly, one of my doctors Rx'd me flexeril while on the extended release formula of tramadol and within a day things were getting weird for me. After a couple of days it dawned on me to check the contents of it and thats when I realized what was happening. Even more sad was the fact that I brought it to the doctors attention. Now I just tell all of them that I won't touch anything with serotonin in it. That was a very scarry situation for me.

What is so bad about serotonin?

Too much serotonin is the issue. Where there is too much action on those receptors serious things can go wrong.

Normally we all have serotonin working for us. There are many types of receptors too, located all over the body. But when you add drugs into the picture, this sensitive system can get overloaded.
And it varies from person to person too. Some people just normally live with high serotonin levels, and those types would be more prone to serotonin syndrome. It is thought for example, psychologically that timid or careful people are high serotonin expressors. Contrasted with high dopamine people who are drawn to excitement and risk taking activities. You won't find many high serotonin types sky diving, for example!
Those with high serotonin systems, often get the worst side effects from SSRI antidepressants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome

90% or so of your serotonin is in the peripheral areas of the body. GI tract and platelets mostly.

Hey Marty, I'm another bare footer for 6 months now can't wear socks at all and any shoes drive me crazy. At first I got by for short periods wearing either Air walkers or Air Speed Both skate boarders sneeks come very wide and I get extra size also and use as slippers, and off they came when ever I sat also. But now all I wear is flip flops size 12 I have a size 9 foot, anyway you are not alone which now I know I'm not either Thanks

Since people are "coming out" here as bare footers, I'm wondering about something else...most folks here say that the cold weather is what bothers their feet the most. I'm just the opposite. One thing that really puts me over the edge is hot sun shining on my feet. Going to the beach is really tricky without ruining everyone else's fun. The key is my own big umbrella and a spray bottle. Also, white socks under these circustances can be better than bare feet under sandals/slides if I wet them down with cold water. I don't care if I look stupid.

Is anyone else here sensitive to the heat like this?

I am very sensitive to the heat. Summer is when I get most of my burning attacks. That is when I hit the Biofreeze the most.

--especially those with a demyelinating component to their neuropathy, find heat more difficult to tolerate than cold, as heat is the enemy of "clean" nerve transmission, and if one had myelin damage the nerves are not transmitting that cleanly to begin with.

The MS people know this well--and there are many products on the market, such as cooling water vets, that are made primarily for them. And savvy neurologists know that nerve conduction studies are supposed to be done in a relatively cool room.

For me winter cold makes me frozen and pain goes up. Summer makes me swell more and pain goes up. When hot I only wear socks about 1 or 2 hours a day and that is by force. I do wear walking shoes though anytime I am on my feet from the pain. I can't walk bare foot.