I would say at this point, if you are WORSE since starting supplements, I'd discontinue them for now.

Keep the B's and stop any others temporarily. One has to have
good kidney functions to take supplements. Do you know your kidney status?

The B's are used in alcohol rehab clinics for just about everyone.

I respect your opinion mrs D. Yesterday was a really bad day, and maybe not the best for evaluation of my condition. Today has been better. Just the ups and downs of this condition it seems like. Some days I feel better and some worse. Makes it hard to know if you are getting healing or deteriorating.

I'm going to continue the supplement regimen until I run out and reevaluate. Burning sensation has been down today. Maybe it was stress yesterday. I guess I need to figure out what causes my flare ups. It is more likely my condition is about the same as a month ago with a bad flare up yesterday.

I'm starting to doubt alcohol as the culprit with acute symptoms progressing over about a 2 month period and somewhat stabilizing the past month. Either way I think it's safe to say an alcohol free environment is ideal so I'd still like to give it up as I attempt to recover.

Keeping a diary/journal/log can help a LOT. Recording pain levels, stress levels, other symptoms, what you ate, activities, etc. can help deduce triggers & alleviants and chart general/overall progress over time.

You can find templates online for ideas and/or come up with your own.

Doc

I have been on all the PN supplements for two years and I don't think they have helped at all. Then again, maybe my symptoms would be worse without them so I take them anyway.

I too doubt that alcohol is the culprit for my PN but with nerve damage, it is always best to steer clear of alcohol and sugar as much as possible.

Had to sit down for a minute and document my day. I woke up feeling my normal PN pains. Sensitive foot sole, general achiness in my feet and legs, mild foot burning etc.

After walking around a little I noticed my pain was decreased a little today so I figured I'd try to help out with a few simple chores around the house. My wife has had to take on extra responsibility due to my PN pains and decreased mobility and I wanted to help out with whatever I could. I started by cleaning up the kitchen, washed the dishes, sanitized the counters, put stuff away. I was still feeling ok so I moved on to vacuuming, then dusting, and generally straightening things. I did a few loads of laundry. Well I still felt comfortable on my feet so I got adventurous and mowed the lawn. Then I pulled some weeds, and threw some stuff out from the garage that I've been meaning to get to.

I couldn't believe how much I got done. I was still in discomfort and was constantly aware of my feet the whole time, but it wasn't complete agony like it's been for me in the past few months. I haven't left the house in over a month accept to go to work because walking has just been to difficult. I'm feeling good enough at the moment to go out to dinner with the family tonight! I'll take any relief and reason to smile that I can get at this point.

I'm not sure what I would attribute feeling better to, but it felt good to be mobile. I hope I don't pay for it tomorrow. By no means do I walk or stand without discomfort, but I feel I'm finally moving in the right direction even if its only for a day.

IME, it just goes that way—good days & bad days—often unpredictable and/or with no rhyme/reason. What ever happens, stay frosty, take the day (week/month...) as it comes, do what you can/gotta do, and illegitimi non carborundum!

Doc

Today has definitely been worse than yesterday. Oh well, I knew yesterday was too good to be true. I'll just keep sticking to the plan and hope for gradual recovery, improvement, and more good days!

Congrats on a good day. I too have an occasional good day and if I do a lot (a lot for having PN that is), the next day is always more challenging.

Stay mobile.

IH8PN,

I had 'one' of those days this past Tuesday. It was the first time I've driven myself anywhere for about 2 months. Did a lot of cleaning around the house and drove my dog to the vet ! By that evening I knew.....I knew as always if I have a good day and do anything I'm going to pay for it......and I have since Tues night. I'm still hurting.......but I've come to feel that it's worth it to feel almost normal for a day....Like you....I can still feel the symptoms in my feet, hands, etc...I know it's there but I'm able to move around and my head is clear.

My daughter is going to have surgery on April 28 and I have to be there......I was given a wheelchair which I have used on occasion but never for as long as I'm going to have to use it in the hospital. I am not looking forward to it. I know I'll be able to walk a little.....probably in pre-op and her room. Just crossing my fingers that it will be a 'good' day.

Being barefoot is the best for me in the house. The only thing I wear on my feet is the slip on's with the Velcro strap across the toes.....when I take them off the little lines on the shoe bottom have made indented lines on the soles of both feet Thank goodness I'm in GA.....I have no idea what I would do if I lived in a cold climate. If I have to use socks I use the very thin foot socks.....of course mine are crazy colors and patterns so I get lots of comments on them from dr's and nurses. I'm business on top.....party on the bottom (dress clothes and crazy socks !)

Thanks for listening.

Debi from Georgia

So, feet started going numb today. It probably started before today, but was very obvious today. Especially the right big toe and ball of foot. The left toe too at a lesser degree.

The weird part to is that it's causing more pain. It's like some of the nerves are already dead and the ones that are still around are malfunctioning as a result and everything I walk on feels like rough sandpaper.

This steady progression is very hard to deal with. I'm trying to remain positive but I keep telling my family that I have a bad feeling that I'm not going to be able to walk by the end of the year. Just based on progression to date and mapping out a timeline that is where I'm headed. It's not dramatic, it's the truth.

Unless something happens to halt progression or turn this around. Although let's face it. I can't stand for more than 5-10 minutes at a time anyway so I'm not all that far from being disabled as I type this. The only problem is that it's not measurable at this point, so I can't even prove my handicap. I feel all alone today. Not one of my better days.