Mrs. D:
Just curious - do you know of any scientific studies that have documented the absorption of magnesium through the skin? I use the Morton's lotion and it sometimes does seem to reduce the pain to some extent - but there seems to be a great deal of debate regarding whether or not magnesium is actually absorbed through the skin. All of the information I've seen on this comes from those who have a vested interest, so I don't consider it trustworthy.

There is one study on epsom salts baths:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post864114-32.html

I personally think this Morton's is very absorbed... It allowed me to reduce my hypertension medications from 3 a day to one small dose of betablocker. Nothing --has done this for me. Not oral, or the old CVS epsom lotion which was discontinued.

I really think this Morton product has some "accidental" combination of lotion ingredients that support transdermal absorption. No one I have recommended this to ...has any complaints, and many are sold on it totally. It is truly a miraculous product IMO. And the price is totally LOW for what you reap from it.

Thanks Mrs. D

Yes, yes, yes!

Before I had the neuropathy, I can't ever remember as an adult being essentially called a liar or worse, mentally ill.

No neurologist believed my symptoms before the skin biopsy. Folks here could tell me what I had. But very well thought of and even famous doctors told me I did not have neuropathy.

My husband and I spent thousands of dollars traveling to other states to be told that my symptoms were not neurological in nature, blah, blah, blah. A wonderful aunt told me that they should have seen me before my symptoms and they would definitely believe me.

My family doctor and a kind female internist believed me. And of course, folks here on this board.

I hope you can stay strong and remember that you are the only one that knows your body.

Yes, that seems to be a common story among people on this board. Fortunately, my symptoms are not that sever (yet), but they are getting slowly worse. I'm continuing to see the Doctors, and will push for more testing, etc. to identify what is going on and why. In the meantime, I am continuing to pursue dietary improvements and vitamins/supplements to see if they help. I'm also seeing an alternative medicine practitioner who is using a combination of acupuncture, cold laser, massage, and essential oils (not much success with that stuff, so I may be discontinuing it soon)

Like many here, I have a great job, but it does require a lot of walking, climbing (stairs and ladders), etc. One of my biggest fears is becoming too sick to work - but not sick enough to qualify for disability benefits.

Sounds like you have a supportive husband (and I have a supportive wife). That's one thing to be thankful for as all this plays out.

Thats what im told, is it stress,(therapist is reccommended". They think patients who complaining about neurological problems are druggies or some kind of mental condition. My pcp, thinks its all in my head, the suggestion of a therapist is evidence of that, furthermore, she only referred a opthamologist, as she dint believe in my other symptoms, though i did complain about vision problems, i was more concerned about my loss of sensations. which i still have.

Although I'm not advocating "stress" or "anxiety" creates PN problems, people with anxiety disorders present with many physical symptoms that are not linked to any organic disease. This is fact.

I have had anxiety issues for years and a laundry list of unexplained physical ailments. Once I addressed the underlying anxiety issue the psychosomatic issues cleared up.

I think doctors see a lot of psychosomatic based ailments so when they see someone suffering with a idiopathic ailment they jump to the psychosomatic conclusion without taking other causes into consideration.

Again not saying PN is caused by a mental process, but the mind is a part of our body and when it is out of whack it can create a lot of physical symptoms that can't be connected to any organic cause.

Twitching was my first symptom. I was (still am) twitching all over, I have about 100 -200 twitches per minute. They never stop. After resting for a while, they slow down to maybe 75-100 twitches per minute all over my body at the same time (not just arm etc. ) literally happening in every part at the same time.

you said this already, but im pretty sure you cant"fake" a neuropathy, if your so-called neuropathy, is caused by stress, than you should reduce it, i think the tests you are going through is causing more stress.

My neuropathy is with loss of smell, was sudden onset, and it dint appear because of stress, it appeared on the day i took diphenhydramine. and my inability to smell normally and loss of sensation is very concerning, and could be dangerous. im pretty sure "mental" condition cant cause Neuropathy continiously for weeks or months.
People can get frustrated because, of the Doctors unwilling to believe its neuropathy, and sayings your nuts for thinking that.
-the delay in diagnosis.
-i find it disheartening that doctors see neurological symptoms and mental condition, or the cause, they are not the same. neurological disorders, are disease of nerves, or neurons, while mental condition, is a disorder , probably biochemical in parts of the brain, used for emotions, and is self-limiting.
-i know my loss of smell and sensations, with other neuropathy was caused by stress.
i HAD alot of twitching within the first few weeks of the initial neuropathy and increased in twitching. Im pretty sure people also said, due to the frustration in the doctors and the disease itself, it can be stress full.

Utagrad, if you had mental condition for years, its possible your "neuropathy" is caused by it, and by your daily runs.

now if you look at everyones post, theres came out of nowhere, or sudden onset, without anything stressful(mentally) happening.

@canagirl, i think thats the common symptom of everyone with neuropathy, sometimes my right eyelid twitchs for up to 10 minutes, and parts of my body like my arms and legs, that rarely twitch also happen as well.
i also get myclonic jerks(falling asleep, jerking movement),

Good to know. It just seemed like no one was mentioning this symptom and I was curious. I will try the magnesium again though I have tried some in the past. I do, however, think there is a difference between "everyone gets twitches" and the type of fasciculations that I experience and it sounds like others do too. True, everyone gets a twitch here and there, now and again but I am referring to a much more persistent type of fasciculation. Along with this, I too have experienced cramping in my feet - sometimes lasts all day and nothing improves it.