[Rahrah930]

hello im new here also an i have been living with PN for several years.. it drives me crazy at night mostly.. i have trouble wearing shoes.. if i find a pair that dont bother me too much i stick with them.
i have never seen a neuro doc. my pcp has never really said anything about seeing one or if i even need too. i do have a foot doc she is decent..
im really frustrated with not sleeping at night... i sleep in bursts of 3 to 5 hours a day.. when my PN first started i would go days without sleep because of the pain being so intense. i would sit and cry even though i knew it would do nothing i would just cry. if my feet are hot they hurt bad.. the colder my feet are the less they hurt.. i dip my feet in cold water if they hurt too bad.. i know i probably shouldnt do that but im at the point i would do anything to make the pain stop.
im severely overwieght and on insulin from diabetes..
i feel like my life totally sucks and im only 39....

[glenntaj]

--certainly diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy, and I bet your primary physician sees it as an "open and shut" case.

Still, even people who have a very apparent cause of neuropathy could benefit from a neurology consult; some other testing might be done, to rule out co-morbidities, and a good neurologist should have more insight in to how to control symptoms, and might even have some insight into nutrition and other factors that might help control the diabetes and possibly help with symptoms. You need a good one, though, who specializes in neuromuscular disorders--not one who specializes in multiple sclerosis, or stroke, or some other subspecialty in which s/he doesn't see neuropathy patients often. (Does Norman have a university/teaching medical center, or could you get to one in OKC or Tulsa? Those might be place to start looking.)

Moreover, if you are diabetic, you should have a good diabetic endocrinologist in your corner--they normally know more about this than your average primary physician.

[malawigirl08]

Welcome to our boards, you will find lots of information which can help you. Taking supplements help me, especially theanine and lipoic acid. I sleep better with these supplements and feel more alert during the day. Also the best advice I have been given here is to steep my feet in luke warm water and Epsom salts, this will sooth your feet. Alkaseltzer at bedtime takes the pain away for around 30 mins( just enough time to fall asleep).
Thes tips have helped me, they are worth a try for you.
Take care.

[Rahrah930]

I have been doing the epsom salt soaks since i seen that on here, and I can get to okc or tulsa to see a doc in either place