[jlay]

I seem to have severe neuropathy though I only got a symptomatic diagnosis from the ER. I don't have health insurance so I have not had any tests run yet. I do have an appointment with a volunteer clinic in 2 weeks and I'm hoping they can get me in to see a neurologist quickly. It all started 3 years ago with tingling and occasinal numbness in my left foot after I smashed my little toe on a table leg. Now, in the last 4 months after a fall walking into a store with wet floors I have intense burning or cold numbness in both feet, horrific pain, as if there are little hard shelled creatures rolling around in both legs and excruciating vise like pain in my genitals. I'm only assuming that all of this is related to the toe smash and the fall but I really don't know anything for sure. Maybe I need to see an orthopedic doc..? I have been on 900 mgs. of Neurontin for 3 weeks but it doesn't seem to be helping and is making me very irritable. I don't know whether to cut it out or double the dose as I read that other people are taking much higher doses, some with success. Does that mean I'll be twice as irritable. The overall pain is worse on my left side and I walk awkwardly with a definate limp. I have found that icy or hot circulating foot baths, depending on how my feet feel, with epsom salts, provides relief for a decent amount of time and sometimes light massage if I can stand it improves circulation. I take an extended relief opiate called Opama 2 or 3 times a day and I find it helps better than other pain meds I've tried and it doesn't nterfere with sleep. I also take flexeril, a muscle relaxer, at bedtime to help with sleep, which is hard to come by these nights. I find some relief but I do feel 'hungover' most of the time, but it seems a small price to pay compared to the relentlous pain. I have to wear something loose and comfortable on my feet at all times, either lined slippers or plastic clogs with socks, regardless of whether my feet are burning or freezing. I don't want to be bound to all theses medications for the rest of my life, but right now it's the best I can do. I am reading lots about vitamin B12 and other supplements that can be helpful. I'll be getting tested for deficiencies at the clinic. This disorder, whatever it is, has disabled me to the point where I cannot work and sometime I can't even drive. Fortunately, I have a very supportive sweetheart who understands what I'm going through,as I do with her, as she is on disablility for liver problems and fibromyalgia. Having that mutual support is crucial and helps keep the depression at bay.
I know I'm sort of rambling here but the severity of my condition has come on pretty quickly and I'm just relaying my experience in the hopes that it will be helpful to others and trying to learn as much as I can by hearing other peoples experiences. I hope some of this has been of some help. John

[Chemar]

Hi John

I see mrsD did reply to this post where you had it as a reply to another thread, so just wanted to again give you the link to our RSD forum, as that may also be helpful to you
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html