It is 11:30pm and I'm very depressed and in extreme pain. The shooting pain in my feet is unbearable. My feet feel as if I was running through snow barefoot while little needles prick me non stop. I have taken the gabapentin as prescribed (300 mg x 3 times per day). I took two Percocet about an hour ago hoping that would at least let me sleep. But no-nothing at all. No relief whatsoever. I can't lay down because the blankets touching my feet and ankles sends me screaming in pain. I have to be honest, I can't imagine living my life like this. I'm not saying I'm suicidial but extremely depressed and frustrated. What can I do to change this?

Thanks for reading my rant...

Hi there. My name is Melody. I am so sorry to hear that you are in such pain. My husband has had this for many years. In his case, he could not tolerate the neurontin or any other meds. What does help him is rubbing Menthol on his toes. For whatever reason, it eases the pain of neuropathy (in his case). He also uses vicks vaporub. He uses Bengay, he uses whatever contains menthol. He's tried the compound creams, the meds, nothing worked. What has worked for me (because I had diabetic neuropathy) is a supplement called Methyl B-12. I have taken it for about 8 years now. Go to puritan pride on the internet and click on Methyl B-12 and read all about how it can help nerves. I started with 1000 once a day on an empty stomach. I then began 5000 every day (no side effects whatsoever) No more burning or pins and needles. I'm sure Mrs. Doubtfire will come along and help you further. She's the best.

I'm sorry you are going through this. You are in a lot of company on this forum. Keep reading all the info and do searches. And please do look into Methyl B-12.

All the best, Melody
P.S. Don't know if this might help you but just today someone bought us the Shaquille O'neal's Smart Relief Tens Unit. Many people here use it for their neuropathy. Do a search on Tens Unit in the search option and you can read all their results. We just got it today and it wasn't purchased for neuropathy but for back pain. I have back and knee pain and my husband has SEVERE back pain. When I put it on him, (I didn't ramp it up high enough), he didn't feel the effects of the tens unit. When I used it on my back, Holy Moly, it did the trick. Later on I put it on my knee and it's the easiest thing to use. You just press the PLUS option to ramp it up, or you press the MINUS option to ramp it down. Do a search on youtube and you'll see the video on the Smart Relief Tens Unit. I can't believe that I was able to go to dinner and wear this thing and I had no knee pain. It shuts itself off in 30 minutes. Look into these things. You just might find some help

Hi dman,

I know you have been living with Crohn's for a heck of a long time, but has your Depression you mention been with you, or is it new with this horrible condition?

Depression is a serious side effect of Chronic Pain conditions, one which can rapidly escalate if ignored. It also has a very physical affect on the body, increasing pain by 1-2 points on a Pain Scale. Then it starts having detrimental effects on work and family life.

If you have not already done so, I urge you to speak to your GP about your mindset with your changing condition. I'm not saying to bung handfulls of ADs down your throat, perhaps a few chats with a Counsellor experienced in Chronic Pain Therapy will help you cope with a new 'normal'.

Of course, you have already found us - your peers - who are living the life and can share first-hand experience and there are many Forums across the Board where you will receive support.

Dave.

So I had my appointment this afternoon with a new neurologist. He was very nice, spent over an hour with me. He said that he has had one other patient who developed neuropathy from Flagyl. He said that it took her about 18 months to start feeling better. I almost fainted when I heard that, it seems like forever from now. It has only been a month and I'm going crazy! He said all my blood work and the EMG came back normal. He prescribed a stronger dose of gabapentin for the evening (600 mg) and then Lyrica 1 pill 3 times per day. Also gave me a prescription for Lydicine cream but said it might not help at all. Lastly, he told me to continue to take the oxycondon at night to sleep. I am not too crazy about this but I guess I have no option. I can't sleep without it.

Has anyone tried Lyrica before? Any thoughts?

Thanks
Dan

I know several people who have been helped a great deal by Lyrica. My husband could not take the side effects of either either Gaba or Lyrica. But I do know several people who were helped tremendously by the Lyrica. The only drawback was the weight gain. It just happens to some people when they take Lyrica. But it did decrease their pain level.

I guess it's a toss-up.

I do wish you well and let's hope you heal soon

Melody

Preface, everyone reacts to meds different out of the way? Good.

I was on Lyrica over a year. We moved up, down, around on dosage- we found 100 mg 3x day better coverage than 150 mg x2. 300 feels like/felt like the maximum I could bear side effect wise- any more and I felt driving may have to come off the table.

It cut dymptoms for me, with what short term felt like tolerable side effects. I had no weight gain, but my neuropathy is diabetes related, so I was reluctant to start it. At the end of the day the relief wasn't worth the feeling of dullness I had developed. It felt as if my head were a bean bag chair, put upon by some weight.

My sleep is no better or worse, but boy can I ponder with greater vividness and clarity.

Good luck,

Jon

Mortons Epsom Salt Lotion was some relief in 15 minutes for me on my feet. The Gabapentin will have to build in your system so it may take a while to help. The Dr might increase the dosage also but you have to wait and see for that. I remember the state of panic that takes patience away. After the panic came a sence of loss that made me angry. Chronic pain can drive people to depression but IMHO it is too early to say that about you. You do need to tell your Dr. how much sleep you are managing to get. Your b-12 number needs to be above 400. I am still in a relationship w/sleeping pill Zolpidem. So rant on, many here to listen but none with quick fixes. Otherwise there would be no need for this forum. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.