Yep, I agree, READ, READ, READ!

Most all of the help I have gotten has been from my own research, spending hours upon hours reading, following links, etc. I have found help for myself when doctors have not.

I can not imagine life without internet, it's a miracle at your fingertips.

I answered your other similar thread, with supplement suggestions to start with.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...275#post917275

I received your advice from the other forum and I just want to say thank you. I have been looking all over the Internet for stroke forums and there are none that I can find that are responsive. I just wonder do people heal from ischemic attacks???? Since it was ischemic, I now realize that I may have this tingling for the rest of my life ( sadly, dead brain cells don't heal). I know my life isn't over, but it just feels like the beginning of the end. Anyways, this is one of the best forums I ever seen for help and response. This forum should be featured in a health magazine. The only regret I have now is that I went to the hospital four days later because I had no knowledge of TIA and I was just to out of it to call for help. If I would have got help sooner then maybe I could have had early intervention and thus, no tingling. My life feels like its over, just that quick.

Gabapentin is the only thing I've seen or heard of that actually addresses the stinging. It does for me anyway. It's also called Neurontin. You'll still be able to drive a truck. It won't make driving easier, but it won't knock you out like an opiate would. I would definitely ask about getting some of that as soon as you can. It's processed through the kidneys, so it works fast (if it indeed works for you), and it doesn't mess with your liver like most of the other stuff does over time.

Trucks drivers must drug test, and I am not sure if neurontin would be an acceptable substance. It can cause some blurring of vision. It has with me, but not enough to affect my driving, which is infrequent and only for short distances.

Opiates would be out of the question for a driver, but if pain is a major issue and neurontin doesn't work, they are effective.
Neurontin can be effective for the shocks and tingling, I notice if I miss a dose, so it must be doing something.

I have read several different articles that say pain is usually severely under treated if a doctor has any idea that a patient has used drugs in the past. The puritannical idea persists that the patient deserves to suffer. Since this information (your cocaine binge) is so fundamental to your case that you must reveal it, I hope you find a doctor willing to overcome his prejudices.

I don't know the specific laws/regulations regarding legitimate patients under a doctors care who are taking medication as prescribed, and pass required driving tests.

Truck drivers on opioids

Also Google: chronic opioid therapy driving

The "official" gov't report dismisses all studies out of hand, and does not bode well, yet the concluding paragraph, On the Limitations of this Evidence Report admits:
AFAIK, Lyrica is a contolled substance, but gabapentin is not.

I think the matter would be something for a patient to check out with the appropriate authorities and consultation with their doctors.

Doc

This may not be entirely accurate, though no-one can say if recovery, or to what extent, of any particular issue is possible/probable.

Regeneration of Brain Cells

Amitriptyline, metformin, and other meds may even assist in this process.

Also Google: brain cells regenerate for more...

Doc

I'm going back to my doctor to ask for some Neurotin to help me until I make a full recovery. The tingling has left my toe but has moved to my leg, arm, and a little on my face but it's mild. When it was in my toes it was more intense.

Neurontin may (~30% chance) help the burning pain of PN, but will not, IME and AFAIK, help the tingling/numbness at all. If it's going to help at all, it should very quickly - possibly from the first dose to within the first month. If it doesn't by then, it likely will not help, and I'd taper off it asap (stopping abruptly is not recommended); it can have some S/E that can be difficult to get rid of long after stopping. If you haven't yet, please read up on it ahead of time. Google: gabapentin

Doc

We have a pretty thorough thread here on Neurontin and its cousin Lyrica:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post829091-8.html