I dont take anything for my neuropathic pain because it isn't bad enough to justify that at the moment. I can still work OK most of the day at the desk. Walking isn't great but I don't do a lot of that. I think if the pain was bad enough I'd take gabapentin.

I agree. I need to get tested to see if the Homocysteine levels are high. Most likely they were a contributing factor to the heart attack.

BTW, I'm in a panic state this morning (5;30 am)...last night I tired to shave with my straight razor and got nicked 8 times due to not being able to hold the razor well enough with the numbness in my hands. It's as if I can no longer sense how much pressure is needed. The same thing is happening to my thighs...walking is getting harder and harder, especially in my left leg, it feels numbed and heavy compared to the right leg. One of the scary parts of PN seems to be when will it stop progressing? I suppose no one, even the Neuro doctors can not answer that question. I certainly don't want to lose the ability to walk. Does anyone know if any of the pain med's can bring some of the feeling back to the limbs or does it just numb the pain further? I'm still resisting taking anything other than Tylenol but I believe that's going to change soon if I want to function. Also, my thighs have burning muscle pain as well as muscle tremors.

Sorry to ask so many questions but this is all new to me :confused:

I hope most of you are sleeping peacefully....

Cliffman :hug:

Did you start Brilinta just when your PN symptoms started?

If so I'd discuss this with your doctor. The FDA was very critical of this drug. Do not stop this drug without medical supervision.

Hi mrsD,

No i was on Plavix when the PN started....they switched me to the Brilanta to see if that would help.

Cliffman

So you did use statins for a while? It might be helpful to use CoQ-10 to replace what you lost in the past by using statins.

Statins block production of CoQ-10 in liver, and this critically necessary compound works in muscle, nerves, and other tissues including the heart to improve energy production. Many doctors do not advise their patients to add this in, for whatever reason:rolleyes: .

Qunol brand has been improved to be absorbed better than previous formulas, and is affordable. It is sold at Coscto and WalMart now. One capsule a day = 300mg of the older form and may help you recover whatever the statins damaged.

http://www.qunol.com/

There are other brands now too, but they tend to be expensive.
Q-gel is one.
http://www.qgel.com/

I would give it about 3 months to see if any improvements are noticeable by you. Some of our posters here have had blood tests for it...but I am unsure if all labs can do that.

Please
 

Hi Cliffman,

Please, immediately, hide that straight razor--hopefully somewhere it would take nothing less than a full blown archaeological dig ever to find it again. I was both immensely surprised, as well as immensely gratified, that you had only just nicked yourself.

Hi Sarge,

You are too funny! Yes, I will hide it well. Some of my recent decisions have not been wise ones :confused:

Cliffman

I had a panic attack years ago which put me in the ER....after that experience I was taking Lorazepam 1/2mg for some time then started to do research on natural calmers and now I work with Inositol and Gaba, some work with L Theanine and then there is Lemon Balm...all calmers....start with one or two and work from there. Working to keep calm.

BTW: The atavan and xanax drugs are linked to alzheimers, so I'm totally off even a small dose. If I feel the need ever I'd take a 1/2mg but that hasn't happened for a long while now.

My right foot is numb and has gotten worse since hip replacement, my whole right side is messed up with nerve damage...I deal with OA also. Keep working to keep feeling better.

Might be time for an electric shaver...:)

Just curious, any chance the hand/arm issues could be some sort of repetitive motion injury, or did all upper & lower body symptoms start in same time frame and same intensity?

Have you tried Ibuprofen type OTC or Aleve /generic type instead of Tylenol?

You might consider a MSM supplement (short for methylsulfonyl-methane, also known as dimethyl sulfone).
I use it quite often for overall system benefits, I did notice during my worst RSI injury times that it did make a difference in my pain levels.
I did some limited tests - took it a week or 2 then stopped it to see what difference I noticed, and I did notice a difference, so went back to taking it regularly...

Now many years later I am a bit more hit & miss, but I do go back to it when I feel a need.

https://www.google.com/search?q=MSM+...ement+benefits
Possibly grape seed extract would be beneficial too..or one of the other highly touted antioxidants..

No injury to fingers or hands prior to the heart attack. The hand pain started days after the second round of stents followed several weeks later by the ankles/feet....now it's in the upper thighs as well. Close friends and family think they did something wrong with the stents to have this happen but the cardio docs swear it's not possible. I have researched it and not found a solid connection although it does make you wonder.

Just took my first ever Gabapentin (100mg) pill....scared me to swallow it due to the unknown manner I may react but I finally felt i had no other choice given my symptoms and progression of the PN. I'm not allowed to take anything stronger than Tylenol due to the heart stents. No Aleve or Ibuprofen. I will have to look into the MSM supplement to see if that's allowed.

Thanks,

Cliffman