[The Quiet One]

I lived, undiagnosed, with neuropathy for 14 years. Now, after 25 years and a bunch of tests (MRIs and EMGs), idiopathic polyneuropathy is the "final" diagnosis. I also live with fibromyalgia, feeling as though scalding water is being poured down my back. Can pain literally drive a person to madness?

[Ladysheets]

Yes pain can drive you mad.I hope you have some medications that will ease the pain for you. Amatriptyline has helped with my nerve pain so much.
I have peripheral neuropathy from Degenerative disc disease everything is just pushing on too many nerves in my cervical and lumbar spine.

I bet your hands and feet dont work to well do they? mine sure dont.

best of luck and we are all always here to listen and chat.

Ladysheets

[nide44]

Pain causes severe emotional turmoil.
It can drive you mad.
That's why it is used to torture.

Pain control is the first & foremost issue with neuropathy
Finding the right meds for pain control is an individual thing
and can take some time, but it is #1 on the priority list.
A good neurologist who specializes in PN or neuropathic pain,
working with your PCP, will help tremendously.

[cyclelops]

I'm crazy, can't you tell?

BTW, fibromyalgia is not buring pain....that is your PN.

I hope you can find some relief.

[Mere]

I understand, I was undiagnosed for about 20 years. My neurologist feels that I have PN and autonomic neuropathy but I am in the middle of a diagnosis. Blood work and skin biopsies have been taken and I will talk to him in February.

I also have fairly severe fibromyalgia. It feels very achy. The neuropathy feel sensory - either too much sensation, cramps and/or pain or numbness and tingling, coldness, twitching, etc.

I do know that I have to keep my overall health in top notch condition, i.e., good sleep hygiene, eating properly and trying to keep stress at a tolerable level, exercising as much as possible but not overdoing it. If I don't adhere, the fibromyalgia gets worse and that makes the neuropathy symptoms much worse.

I wish you well and hope you can find a combination that works for you...Mere