aspartic acid (from nutrasweet) and glutamate from MSG, both stimulate the nervous system, the receptors called NMDA receptors. These receptors report PAIN.

Magnesium is a antagonist.
Zinc also, and now melatonin, are also active in blocking this pain receptor:
http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstr...ium+NMDA+block

Hey gang -

I guess I finally got that pepsi I drank Tuesday night out of my system...my hands and feet felt sooooo much better last night and again this morning. I only drank a half but boy did it did a number on me. That is absolutely the last time I backslide!!

--but sugar is a definite neuroexcitant. A number of artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, act that way as well.

For those of us with nerve damage already, a big sweet tooth is often a ticket to a flare.

We'd all be better off consuming less of that stuff, anyway, whether we have nerve damage or not.

I know we've got chocoholics, donut eaters--hey, I think I'm in recovery from Fig Newtons--but we should all try to be measured with our sweet treats (soft drinks included).

I think triggers will vary from person to person, and maybe even day to day or week to week.

Our bodies are huge biochemical factories...a fact ignored by most medical people.

Because of this there are many variables going on inside us every day. Temperature, fatigue, low or high sugar, or presence of toxins, or foods that people cannot handle.

PN is not a condition where you can pop a pill on Monday and then go about and continue what upsets you.
Jakatak's posts illustrate this over and over. It has been years now that you, Jak, have been posting to us. We read that you are cured! That you don't take meds anymore. Then you say you take narcotics (for 4 years now), then a new narcotic, then you are cured, then your back is the cause, then it is not. You indulge in large amounts of high fat ice cream, or alcohol, and then post you are not doing well.

I will say I think that since you have been on narcotics for quite a while now, that you need to have some testosterone testing done. Opiates depress the hypothalamus and reduce production of male hormones (the effects for women are less studied). Many males benefit from supplemental testosterone, and then FEEL much better. Less nagging over discomforts, and better sexual functioning. So I'd really suggest you get that testing.
And also start working WITH your body, not against it. Things will get somewhat better when you listen to your body. IMO.

I will not respond to your post, other than to say...I am a human being struggling with a disease that I didn't have the first 54 years of my life. And yes....I have had a very difficult time dealing with it for the past 5 years. I've tried to be honest about my frailities and, for the first time....just expose how undisciplined I have been in attacking this problem. I'm working with my doctor on reducing my pain medication over a slow period of time, and this will be a long process, but I am working very hard at this. Prior to the onset of this disorder, I would hardly take an aspirin. I exercised daily, and took my good health for granted. I admit, I have not been the best patient, but I won't let anyone knock me down. I have eliminated most alcohol use...save for the very rare glass of red wine. I have had 5 days of almost being pain free and it is nice. I won't say anymore. I also won't say anything until I get "X" amount of time under my belt. I will provide comment when appropriate, but will not put myself on the line.

......."I will say I think that since you have been......... a while now, that you need to have some testosterone testing done. ........."

Jack,
Aside from anything else said,
this probably is a good idea.