I can not believe how bad I have gotten in a week. It has never been this bad. I can't sing my way out of this, pray my way out of this, pop pills and supplements, nothing. I am sinking into a deep dark pit. I have not slept in days, when I do it is for 20 minutes at a time. I can't function. I keep my feet in a bowl of water constantly with bags on my feet to protect my skin, nothing else works. Life has come to a complete and total stop.

I have never experienced non stop pain like this. If I am lucky I get 20 minute breaks. Most times when I do sleep I am sitting up in a chair with my feet in the water.

Worse of all, it is moving into my hands. I have tried to deny it to myself, but I just cant anymore.

I give up. Drugs and comatose sounds better than this. Now, how to find a doctor? Do I need a neurologist? Do I have to have a referal or can I find one myself? I don't trust the general doctor I have to give me a decent referal in this small town.

Im so lost and even my faith is not helping right now.

Are you taking that iodine treatment? I think it is time to stop that for now. Iodine causes skin reactions.

I stopped everything today. Everything. Nothing works anyway.

Stacy, I am sorry. It could be that something is making your hands sensitive.

How much Alpha Lipoic acid do you take throughout the day? Have you read about Berberine and NT Energy Factor? (phospholipids) I am hoping this will turn around for you.

I am posting at an EM forum also and they agree with me it was the niacin that sent me into this abyss. Now I am in a vicious cycle and cant get my feet out of the water.

I have never been so low in my entire life as I am today. I can't talk without crying. I am supposed to call someone about this but I know I cant have a coherent conversation right now.

What is Berberine and NT Energy Factor?

Time to get to a doctor for some advanced testing.

Hello Stacy. Sorry you are in pain like that. If you don't like your current doctor, do yourself a favor and start looking for a new one who can understand you, and whats more understands the condition you have. Without the medical field to help you, it is most difficult when pain dominates everything... A good PCP will give you the referrals you need. If you post where you live, someone on line here may be able to direct you to some doctor they know.\
Please don't give up, and keep the faith. I will be here to listen anytime. You do need a good physician. Also a physiatrist, (Not head doctor) may be another approach. Many do not know what kind of doctor this is. A physiatrist treats the whole person, not just a set of painful symptoms. Mine happens to specialize in pain. You do need referral for most neurologists, but I am not sure about the physiatrist. Take that first set and set up an appt. with a new doctor. Bring your written list of symptoms of pain etc. It also helps to have someone with you when you go. Doctors tend to listen a bit better when back up is in the room with you. Go forward, don't stop, there is relief and help out there, but you must find it. It took me several years to find the crew of physicians I now have. It was worth all the searching to have them. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep that faith going OK? Write if you feel like it. ginnie

Please, even if you feel you're losing faith, God is always there for you and He believes in you. He can get you thru the pain.
Bless you!

Putting the pieces of the puzzle together...

Last week I had a good day then crashed again, now today another great day like that one. What is in common? I took my BP pill, the diuretic. I have been weening myself off this pill, down to 2x a week for a couple months now. I guess when I took it today and last week it takes the fluid off my foot and swelling goes down, less pain, less flare.

I am taking that dang pill again tomorrow. It is 7pm and I am usually in pain right now, but nope. Granted, if I stay on my feet too long they start to flare but less than before and I can remain up longer. I even ironed a pair of hubbys pants today.

I doubt this pill is my cure by any means but it sure is my miracle to lesson flares and keep my feet out of the water. Thank you Lord.

Ohhh Stacey that's great! So glad to hear you are having a good day. Here's hoping it is indeed the BP pills so you can take control of it.

Isn't it funny how we usually have to figure these things out for ourselves.