There is a new natural GABA agonist over the counter, that is absorbed orally. It is called PharmaGaba. I've been using it since our kitten was lost last May. I was a wreck with that stressor as it went on and on and on for weeks.

I used 100mg twice a day, and reduced to one at bedtime now.
It is quite nice, no side effects, and no hangover. Doesn't seem to be habituating, at least for me.

A new company is now selling it (Previous was Natural Factors),

http://www.amazon.com/GABA-Supplemen...ds=pharma+gaba

I know it works because my grief and anxiety came back when the capsule wore off! I've had anxiety all my life -- a gift from my horrible abuse filled childhood.
But I have avoided the benzo trap. I've had Valium for a few doses in the past, and I use .25mg Xanax when I go to the dentist, to keep my blood pressure from spiking. And that is it.

I like the PharmaGaba quite a bit. This new one is the same price for 90 caps, instead of 60.
I also use Theanine at night, as it helps me sleep...and since Dr. Blaylock MD recommended it last year in his newsletter.

Gabapentin has very few risks...that is why it is given so much. It is just not that effective at all.
If you swell up, you stop it...no permanent damage done. But mostly men don't seem to swell as much as the women do. And at the lower doses, it is less or non-existant.

im on 1200 a day of gabapentin divided into 4 doses of 300mg and it is helping but not much. do you guys recommend that i ask the neuro to jump me up again because i have paraesthesias all over the body, even the face. mosty hot burning spots that come fast and then subside.

I am on the same dosage, Mustang, but it is helpful for me. Doctor told me that you can go up to 3600mg per day, so upping the dosage is one option.

I have heard that pregabalin/lyrica is generally more effective. However, it is not available in generic yet.

what i want to know is how long until this condition gets really bad like sensory loss, hyper-sensitivity or a more extreme type of pain

Hello. I want you to have a little hope. I either have PN or RSD. In my left foot, ankle and calf. It has not spred, or gotten worse in the last 6 months. I don't think this "Always" progresses to something worse. I may be wrong, but for me it hasn't happened. I do wish you better days, and less pain. ginnie

i understand that but in the 2 months ive had this its been getting worse and worse. it hasnt stayed the same

To: "Mustang0227"

Rest assured you are going to get BETTER. It's a matter of time and care. Everybody's body is different and that's what makes any determination on healing so hard to come by. But from what I've learned, is that you DO heal. It largely depends on how you take care of yourself.

That's what makes this particular forum site so helpful - you can learn from others here, even if they are in different situations, we all basically have the same problems symptomatically. I learned so much from this site in such a small time.

I had a pretty bad day today as far as pain is concerned, but that was after 7 days in a row of feeling quite well - meaning only very light pain. There will be "good days and bad days" as they say - but ultimately we'll heal up eventually -and we can put the bad times behind us.

What's so important is getting the right vitamins and medication that "truly" helps us, regenerating damaged nerves and helping both our body and mental states. These are vital for our survival and well being and the key to that is knowledge. We are lucky to have the internet to research and share our experiences.

I mentioned keeping a daily log on your healing. This helps mentally as well as keeps you up to date on what circumstances and stresses make your PN pain worse -and more so -what makes you feel better.

I have been dealing with PN pain for over 4 months now - 2 months were severe for the most part, and the first month was suicidally unbearable. (Honestly, no exaggeration here) ...With a daily log, I can trace when I have a "bad or good" day. I can look back at my log and make a determination on what may have caused it - or what made me feel better. So even when I have a bad day, I know it will pass.

I pasted a sample of one of my log entries and how I rate the types of pain. You can do your own version - then you'd be able to keep a log of healing. I'm sure you'll find, just like I did -that even if the healing is slow -you'll see strong healing strides as time passes and a daily log records these positive strides in detail.

Below is a log comparison from my first week of PN till my more recent log entrees - Notice the differences. These changes are honest and hopeful.

July 5th: 2012
I noticed the pain suddenly travels to my fingers and arms, as well as changes into various types of horrible pain. The pain is very severe at this point, consisting of strong stabbing pain in fingers and toes, as well as painful cramping and prickling all over my body, and burning sensations along my legs, arms, back, and sides. The pains came on very quickly without a gradual stage. I went to the hospital ER room this night.

Stabbing Pains: Very High. Clamping Pains: Very High. Burning Pains: Very High. Needle Stings: Very High. Cramping: Very High. Fingertip Pains: Very High. Prickling Pains: Very High. Eye Pain: irritated. Depression: Very High – close to Nervous breakdown. Anxiety: Very High – Suicidal Level. Betterment: None

October 30th: 2012
Tuesday: It’s cold and sunny outside. I helped my wife get her stuff ready for her vacation tomorrow. I spent quality time with the family. Added some cooked mushrooms to my soup. I felt “Very Almost Normal” again with only very light pains. Thank God.

Stabbing Pains: None. Clamping Pains: None. Burning Pains: None. Needle Stings: Very light & less frequent. Cramping: Very light & less frequent. Fingertip Pains: Very light & less frequent. Prickling Pains: Low. Eye Pain: None. Depression: None. Anxiety: Low. Betterment: I felt “Very Almost Normal” again with only very light pains. Thank God.

ok. i have a question. do you take the nerve support formula? i take 6 pills of that a day. also my diet is not that great. i eat out a lot because im not really a good cook and my dad is a horrible cook also and hes the only person i live with.

I started to go to a physiatrist. I dumped all pain medications, but still have them for the rough times. I use a cream now, that really works. I can list the ingrediants. I tried Geb. lyrica, cymbalta, and a few others that did nothing. I actually think this is better without all the medicaiton. I also started giving myself B12 shots every week. I have 4 other vitamines that seem to be helping as well. Since the medication route didn't work all that great, I am trying a more natural approach. I do wish you all the best. I wonder what others are doing too. ginnie

I don't take the nerve support formula, because some of them have "B6" which I try to avoid. Essentially, I take a few very, very important vitamins at relatively low doses. I also don't take any pain medication (though I am tempted to when I have my bad flare-up days).

Eating "right" is going to be different for each person. Some people have diabetes or vitamin deficiencies while others have allergies to contend with. So that said - eating right is somewhat opinionated.

However, we can all try to eat healthier - which is better for anyone -sick or not. Especially important is avoiding "TOO MUCH" salt and sugar. I still eat fast food from time to time, in fact about once or twice a week -but nothing even close to how I used to.

My major pet-peeve is beer -to which I do NOT drink a lot of. Still, During a two day weekend - I might drink 5 Miller Light Beers on either Friday or Saturday.

I know alcohol is bad for nerves, but sometimes it makes me feel better - and I don't have any flare-ups the following days. ...Other times, I do get a flare-up.

I want to stop drinking entirely - and I've never been a heavy drinker. But I find it hard NOT to drink socially.