It's me back again with another question - this time regarding flu and SFN. I have flu proper - sick as anything but have been really unwell for ages now - since weaning off Cymbalata or even before.

I have trouble accepting everything I'm disgnosed with so far. This is because things keep changing for me - a shapeshifting autoimnunity which causes havoc with me psychologically. How can I come to terms with something that dramatically changes its face so regularly?

So after a two years of rollercoaster with fatigue, burning hands and feet, wetness in both legs - (but could have been four if I count the heat waves through my wrists and burning soles) suddenly the SFN has lifted. Up until 3 days ago I was getting dramatic increase in lightening bolt pains around my body - especially in hands, wrists and elbows. Now, despite being almost drug free I have had two nights of no burning, no joint or tendon pain and a lessening in widespread stiffness. Most amazingly I haven't woken with any burning nerve pain in perpheries, haven't thrashed about in the early hours trying to find a patch to cool my burning hands and feet. I'm not even aware of the usual wet sensation in legs.

However before I cheer madly and woop for joy I need to know if anyone ekse has had their SFN disappear while sick with flu? And I don't mean a heavy cold - I mean full blown flu. Haven't been ill with a virus for several years now - usually my immune system is far too frantic to let any lurgies attack me it seems. This cough has triggered severe costochondritis but on the plus side I've not had to use eye drops or treat nose sores/ bleeds for at least ten days now as everything is gushing!

So I am now taking a 24 hour over the counter flu medicine but until last night I was getting by with a few paracetamol ever four hours. Paracetamol never helped the neupathic pain before. Could this horrible and all encompassing flu have chased off my SFN - and more importantly might this be it forever? It's only faded once before last year when I had 3 months back on injectable methotrexate and nifedipine (gp experimenting as thought this was Raynauds).

Or is it more likely a case of brain only receiving one set of pain signals at a time? Oral surgeon said today that my jaw pain is TMD probably although will have am X-ray to check it's not erosive arthritis. This hasn't gone away though!

If you are using a product with DM in it? That will suppress some pain. I had a terrible bronchitis about 5+ yrs ago and had a terrible cough and was using a DM (dextromethorphan) product around the clock, and my feet totally stopped hurting. This drug is in most flu remedies, and is an isomer of the narcotic called levomorphan. Some studies have tried DM for pain...it works for some people and not others.

Thanks Mrs D but until today I only used Paracamol which I have been taking for headaches for many weeks now. This new one has the drug you mention as an active ingredient though. I am completely overwhelmed with this flu however - coughing so badly that my throat feels like it might bleed soon - can barely drink water without wincing - although I am doing so of course as dehydration not an option

Just guessing......I think it might be the immune system directed toward the virus rather than at you. I have experienced something similar.

Or... you know how in the movies when someone hits their head and they get amnesia and then they hit it again and remember everything? I often fantasize that if a virus triggered this in me maybe another one would fix my cells and make them remember who the real enemy is.

I hope something really cool is happening to you and that you are recovering. If not, I'm glad you are getting a break from the nerve pain. It is nasty. Let us know how you feel.

Thanks a lot - great minds think alike here! But this flu is a nightmare to be honest - if I cough I feel my ribs will Pop out with pain. Of course I feel now that I am clutching at straws but think we have to sometimes!

Yes the first para suggestion sounds very plausible to me. Thanks!

Isn't gualfenisin used in Fibro treatment? Wonder if drugs that suppress coughs have something to do with nerve pain?
I've also read that benadryl helps some people with night nerve pain.

I think that the guiafenesin use for fibro has been somewhat discounted today. There are sites on Google pro and con. So I don't think it works that well. It is the DM that works, but only in higher doses. DM has a recreational drug following as well.

Fairly certain this symptom exchange isnt drug related at all. Reason being I stayed off all drugs prior to getting my bloods done on Monday and only started this night/ day nurse this afternoon. I think its something to do with diverting the immune system away from attacking my nerves. As long as the flu goes away soon I'll settle for a wee holiday from SFN but not if swap confinues - give me back my burning feet and hands anyday over flu!

rather odd, since something like flu and cold usually trigger neuropathies or autoimmunities like Guillan barre that cause neurological disorders. Its the action of the immune system on the nervous system when your sick, that cause the majority of damage though. could it be you loss some sensations or numbness?