[benchede13]

I have been classified by the VA as having peripheral Neuropathy in both legs, caused by (trying to confirm with VA) Agent-Orange. Anyway, I am 64, work 40 hours a week on my feet on concrete floors. My feet are numb/burn/ache constantly. When I get in bed my legs are in pain, but life goes on. Lately I'm getting "bad-painful, super strong leg cramps in my upper thighs, behind my knee caps and in the calf areas, where I'm jumping out of bed and trying to walk the pain out. This happens 2 to 5 times a week and sometimes while I'm just sitting down and its starting to happen more frequently as of lately.

VA gave me "Gabapentin" to take for pain, but I'm not taking 3-5 pills a day and "fry my liver"! Is there anyone who can explain to me: Is this neuropathy curable? What can I take for the constant pain and muscle-cramps? Can/will these issues get worst? Asking these questions may sound strange but "our-VA" doesn't answer to many questions for us veterans!

[mrsD]

You are a prime candidate for some magnesium therapy.

Either oral supplements daily, like SlowMag twice a day.
Or the new magnesium lotion called Morton Epsom lotion.

I'd suggest the lotion, as it is easy to apply and will work overnight for you well.

Apply a quarter's diameter on both legs, mostly the calves... before bed and rub it in. The magnesium will relax the contractions and prevent them. It will also bind to the pain receptors in the area and block pain signals. (the NMDA receptors), and will dilate the blood vessels so your circulation is better.

When I was working long standing hours like you, I also used some natural Vit E with my magnesium tablets, and it seemed to work well. Back then the lotion was not available.

You can find Morton Epsom Lotion at your local WalMart and also online at Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-L...n+epsom+lotion

This lotion is really fantastic and not expensive at all. Start with it and see how you do within a week. Apply only to intact skin.
Many people on NeuroTalk now use this lotion daily, with great success. It can definitely improve your sleeping as well, as it has a calming action.

You can also soak in a bathtub with 6-8oz of epsom salts and lukewarm water. But the lotion is much nicer and easier and I think absorption of the magnesium is better that soaking.

If you take blood pressure medications, you may find that your dosing may have to be reduced over time, because restoring proper magnesium levels in the body, often corrects hypertension.

[mrsD]

If you choose to take oral magnesium at any point, do not choose OXIDE products. These do not make it into the body at all and remain in the bowel, as a laxative.

Magnesium oral products cannot be taken at the same time gabapentin is used orally, because the magnesium complexes with the gabapentin and prevents normal absorption. You can space your doses around each other if you do choose oral supplements of magnesium.

[Dr. Smith]

Just started (2 days ago) taking magnesium again. Can't recall what we took the first time (not oxide—it was one of those recommended here). This time it's chelated—says it's better absorbed. Something's happening—overall cramps were better this morning after several weeks.

benchede13,

I have been classified by the VA as having peripheral Neuropathy in both legs, caused by (trying to confirm with VA) Agent-Orange.

They may have been trying to do you a favor—don't know—possibly to deem you eligible for certain/more benefits. Worth checking into, IMO.

Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange

Peripheral Neuropathy and Agent Orange

Doc

[Jon_sparky]

I get those from time to time, cramps in the calf muscles, I eat a lot of Bananas, and that seems to help, gives you magnesium and potassium.

[Synnove]

Benchede 13.
Hi.
I just saw your post, and I am sorry for your neuropathy from Agent-Orange exposure.
First I just wanted to ask you to look up this web side. It is the main page of a local support group for neuropathy. This group's president is a Vietnam Veteran, from what I understand.
The site has special articles regarding veterans with peripheral neuropathy and Agent-Orange exposure.

I will recomend this site especially for you. There is also a disc to order with lots of information on living with peripheral neuropathy.
I think you will identify with the author/and president.

www.NeuropathySupportNetwork.org

Regarding coping with pain: There are a lot of supplement that are recomended.
I take Methyl B 12 (from vitamin store, and take on empty stomac), Vitamin D3- 3000 units, CoQ 10, Fish Oil.2 capsules a day, . There is one called Alph Lipoic Acid ( but it gave me heartburn) I think these supplements are supposed to help with the neuropathy pain.

I also have tried the Morton Epson Cream to legs.
But I do take some medication for the pain, hoping to come off some, because they do have diseffects.

Hope you can find a way to deal with everything

by the way, with the amount of problems you have, should you not be on disability?????
I do think you should look up that site

















































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