Hi,
I also have had a horrible time with medication. I did find some relief with cymbalta and now I take tramadol long acting and it helps a little. I have accupressure done once a week and I am trying a completely natural diet. However, it has taken me 4 1/2 years to get to this point. I also read in one of your post that you are having light headedness. I had a lot of that when I was taking ambien. I stopped that and started Melatonin. I don't know if you have ever tried that but it worked for me.
I also saw where you ask if you were going crazy because you felt the symptoms were worsening. You are not. It happens, at least for me. My symptoms kept increasing, starting with burning then stabbing and shooting pain, then electrical pains. It has settled down now, not too many new symptoms.
I am glad your MRI is normal.
Kim

Kim

[QUOTE=hopeful;949079]Hi,
I also have had a horrible time with medication. I did find some relief with cymbalta and now I take tramadol long acting and it helps a little. I have accupressure done once a week and I am trying a completely natural diet. However, it has taken me 4 1/2 years to get to this point. I also read in one of your post that you are having light headedness. I had a lot of that when I was taking ambien. I stopped that and started Melatonin. I don't know if you have ever tried that but it worked for me.
I also saw where you ask if you were going crazy because you felt the symptoms were worsening. You are not. It happens, at least for me. My symptoms kept increasing, starting with burning then stabbing and shooting pain, then electrical pains. It has settled down now, not too many new symptoms.
I am glad your MRI is normal.

Hi Kim,
I also have had a hard time with medications. I tryed cymbalta (30mg) and neurotin (100mg), they both made my anxiety level horrible. I am taking 50mg lyrica for 25 days now , with no pain relief. I know its a low dose but Im still trying to get used to the side effects. Foggy head, pains in my lower stomach (bad distention). You wrote you are taking tramadol. I have a script for tramadol. How much do you take and dose it help you?
You said your pain has settled down ( I have the same nasty symptoms you listed) , Is this from your meds or are you doing something diff to help with your pain? Im glad your doing better!
Marie

I have peripheral neuropathy - inherited (mother and 2 sisters) small nerve even though only large nerve is supposed to be inherited.
I have tried the anti-convulsant meds on your list but had severe mental confusion such that my patient record lists me as allergic to anti-convulsants; then onto plus a number of pain meds like Lidocaine patches (allergic to the adhesive), spinal injections, Fentanyl patch, Percocet, and even Butrans (suboxone) patch without relief and lucky me some of the nastiest side effects. Have tried Trileptal & Elavil, Valium and more. I am trying R Alpha Lipoic Acid 1200 mg for the last 2 months but no significant change.
Read-up on Chronic pain and the use of pain medications. A very misunderstood field. Also be open to alternatives - yoga, exercise, meditation, etc. Be very diligent re controlling your diabetes as the only cures I have heard about are for some people with diabetic neuropathy and who seriously control their diet, monitor their sugar levels etc.
I assume you have been tested for other causes like heavy metal (lead) poisoning, B-12 deficiency, trauma and a few other known or suspected causes. Usually a specific cause is not found.
If the pain impairs your sleep, ask for medications to help. If you don't sleep, it impacts you in many ways.
My mother's pain ended when her feet & ankles gradually become numb and then the problem was difficulty walking. My neurologist has noted a slight loss in muscle control & thinks I may also have restless leg so I am trying Mirapex - usually used for Parkinson's disease - to maybe take the edge off the pain (nada so far).
And finally, ignore the ads that claim to cure neuropathy. And if you use Google or just about any search engine you will begin to see ads for neuropathy cures at every opportunity because they have learned your preferences and search habits.

Hi,

What type of inherited neuropathy do you have if I may ask. Thank you.

John,
I have severe peripheral neuropathy.
Lyria on a small dose, was not enough. I moved up to 200 mg. 3x. Okay for a while, but I got worse. Then, in addition to the Lyrica 200mg. 3x, I started on gabapentin, now at 600 mg. 3x. These two together, keeps the pain level to a "3". This is the best combination I've found. Only side effect.... sometimes memeory issues.
Hope this helps!