I think it's cruel that mis-behaving nerves create pain. I mean, why couldn't they create pleasure instead?? I can remember a few years back, that I would sometimes get a feeling like "pop-corn popping" instead my feet. It was mildly pleasurable -- sort of mildly ticklish. More of that please! Enough burning already....

Best wishes
Steve

Very funny Steve - don't we wish!

Only problem is we wouldn't be as quick to go and get medical help and would probably die quicker!!!

But I agree it is a cruel twist of fate!

Would that they COULD send some pleasure signals in their damage processes?
Thing is they are sick and or dying nerves. Those nerves are constantly sending out distress signals. They want to survive and be happy. As does the rest of us.
I know that once I'd learned the whole neuro degenerating processes, it scared me stupid. And beyond!
Once I tried to learn about nerve regenerating processes, it too was scary as it seemed to be a similar process....but in reverse and not necessarily in the same order. Makes it much more confusing, but well, my nerves are already confused [what's left] so, what's more confusion?
In my case, I know/suspect/believe that things aren't getting worse [A GOOD THING!]. So, when I feel 'new' nerve zeeps/zaps/zings & even tickles- I put my mind to not worrying. I tell myself, with all my will that this is good. And you know? In my case it just might be working.
I don't know about others who've been severely affected? But for me, the 'tickle' thing is truly a pleasure! Even on my big toe!
Your nerves aren't 'misbehaving' They are unhappy and sick! Do all you can to help them... in my case the small improvements I did NOT expect are happening after almost 5 years of pain. And, maybe a lot of self-brainwashing regarding that pain. But I suspect that I've got it worse than you. IF not YOU have a lot to look forward to...providing there are no short cuts. They don't seem to be allowed. 's - j

PS Megan, YES it is a twist of fate. And, we would'nt get med help as soon. But our nerves do go off with a "RED ALERT!" big time, when it happens, don't they?

my mother had so many nasty med. problems very painful,from her 50ths
to her early 80ths when she died.. pn ,damaged nerves ,polyneuropathy.
she started going to a neuro.he did every test i could think of,from
feet on up legs. found a hernated disk,you could really see it,very big..
she asked when she should come back,never he said,i'm sending you to
ortho dr. she was 79 or 80,that dr. he claimed was unual but the ortha dr.
would stop the feet and leg pain,i thought vascular but ortho? but saw it
big hernated disk..my brother and i took her to mayo clinic..they said same
thing she had no trouble,they were going to put her in nursing home to rest
for two weeks,no pain,they sent her home,nurse was me,she felt fine,i
started hurting,noticed i was having trouble with my feet..

i arranged to have mri on back,he told my mom she could go home soon,
he sent her out told me my back well spine was awful,he couldn't do anything for me..he sent me to a neuro and said he as sorry,if he knew
i have pn,he wouldn't have had me take care of mom. she got lucky steve.
well no more pain in legs or feet . she had a rare form of breast cancer,
died 3 years later,no mophine or pain till 2 days befor she died..

i'm 61 had pn for a long time,my children ask the drs. at mayo if i was going
to die, i was in terrible pain,burning,tingling,spams..they didn't answer,they
answered quetions but not that..my husband passed away 8 yrs. ago they
were scared..my neuro here is very good,she let them see everything on
the computer. it's not going to affect her longevity,but her life will not
be easy,she will have to live for the good days..steve sometimes it's hard
and sometimes it's good..nurses know to much some times...i will tell you
this is a tough buger,we don't have enough money for research there's
over 200 problems,and some drs.. don't know anymore then we did..

it isn't fair,but so many things aren't i hope you get that popcorn feelings
and even better,i mean alan got frisky after surgery or mel attacked him.
who cares 2 61 yr olds had fun.. i'm 61 i'm having frisky times,bob
my buddy is 78 and havn't tons of good times. hugs to all sue

Shiney Sue:

I'm 60. Won't be 61 till November. Alan will be 61 in June.

I'm still a hot tamale at 60!!!! lol

you know i thought so i'm just jealous,bad sue sorry mrs. tamale

PN pain is in the brain, not in the feet, hands, or wherever the nerve malfunctioning is. I would guess that the peripheral nerve firing is too intense and chaotic for the brain to interpret the impulses as anything but pain, in all its variations.

Relief has to be multi-dimentional; calming the brain, and calming and restoring order and pattern to the misfiring peripheral areas, and restoring health to the rest of the body so the nerves can heal and stay healed.

PN gets to what it is to be a human animal in all its complexity; physiology, psychology, emotion, hormones, inflammation, nutrition, social relations, hope vrs. cynicism, etc., etc. Thats why I push a holistic approach, and post a shotgun scattering of research and articles that cover a wide range of topics (much fewer than in the past, and I apologize for that, but 15 years is a long time to be dwelling on this), hoping that each thing I post will help provide a key to coping and relief for at least one other person in this forum.

One thing to realize in such a complex system as you and I is the "spread effect". That's where each good thing we do or experience effects other aspects of us, making everything a little better. Of course, the same thing happens with bad, which is what got us into this mess in the first place. So, hang in there, keep trying healing and happy things that make sense to you, have courage, and you can and will cope, be happy again, and even heal if you don't give up. An example is alluded to by Sister Corita in the quote, "Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries."

As a side note, pleasure is one of the good things that can overcome the help us heal and reduce pain. Some pleasures are bad for you and to are to be avoided, but others are magical in their healing and pain relieving effect; the love of others, good food, a successful exercise session, a good read, physical love, a good laugh, art and music, a nice massage, etc.

Don't forget Chocolate !!
(Thanks, David)

David you know I was thinking how this has made me really appreciate the simple pleasure in life. I am happy with just being in able to do pain. I remember after months of being in bed going for lunch outside. It was such a lovely day. My whole outlook on life is different.Truly all I want is a pain free and health issue free life. Just like normal things only and no more doctors other then yearly physicals. Ok now time to wake up.I think the nerves are making me kookoo
As for pain its like when I knock myself and everything gets reved up with nerves and pain. Its like why can't that make it better or kill the bad stuff inside.

Its just a shame that we have more pain days than good ones,I'm all wished out too.I wish that I had never heard of PN.I wish they could find a cure,I wish for more pain free days than not,I wish that there was a pain med that worked,I wish that I could get a good night sleep,I wish I could have my life back.I wish that all my wishes would come true.... Liz.xxx