I feel for you Colbeymoore! I've never taken more than the 3600mg I've taken for over 1 1/2 years. My dose does make me sleepy to some extent and used to make me gain weight, but for some reason I've lost some appetite and weight as well. I've had short-term memory issues since before Neurontin, so I'm not sure it does or doesn't effect it, but it might. My insurance won't pay for Lyrica, so its out for me. It is unfortunate if your husband does not have empathy for you. Even if he has never had such pain, he should do some reading on it on the internet, and at least believe your description. He is your husband! I hope he does understand and supports you dealing with your issues, because you need this. I don't know what I would do without my family and their support, even my 6 y.o., and he doesn't know what joy I get from him everyday!

Jay

Yes Jay

This site is all I have it is 4:05am and I am up and feeling so alone. I just got done soaking my feet in ice and took meds....I don't understand if the nerves are dead why the pain????
I am tired of popping pills that do nothing! I think back to when I first felt the early symptoms and regret every single day I did accept that I was a diabetic and change my ways. Now I have this til I die..I worry about getting cuts on my feet and legs....I hope and pray the diabetes and/or this disease does not get the best of me before I see my daughter grow up. My mother passed away when I was 14 and I pray my daughter does not have to go through what I went through. I am venting again 4:12am...probally the only one up most people are sleeping....

I feel for you. For many..and don't speak for all. It is the unknown factor that really is upsetting. The idio aspect drives me crazy. Cause and affect. Point A to Point B. It is so easy to treat a cut, or high blood pressure. But peripheral neuropathy is a bugger! When I began getting the early signs 5 years ago, I just didn't understand what the heck was happening to my feet. Today....most of the time, I have it under control. Proper diet, exercise (when able), and the dosing of meds that seem to work....allows me to function. Work at finding the best solution to your problem and maintain that plan as best you can.

Beer has worked the best and vodka is a great! increases the burning at first but then its completely gone :D but that was what caused my PN in the first place :(so now I take Lyrica 300 mg although I still have the occasional drink on weekends, no way IM stopping my enjoyment of life altogether and whatever will be will be I dont worry anymore :wink:

3600mg Gabapentin 90mg Cymbalta
 

I had neuropathy before I found out I was diabetic, probably was diabetic with high BS for a few years. I take 3600mg Gabapentin and 90mg Cymbalta. It doesnt totally take away the pain but it is manageable most of the time. I have sensory/motor neuropathy and have lost ankle stability on my left side. I am being fitted for an AFO next week and walk with a cane now.

The cymbalta was added after I hit 3600mg of the Gabapentin with only temporary relief of pain. It helps my mood which is good, helps me keep going day to day and seems to offer some more extended pain relief throughout the day. I find if I take the cymbalta that if I dont hit my gabapentin dose right on the hour, I still am ok.

I think I am starting to have some memory issues, but that may also be sleep related. The gabapentin makes me weak and tired sometimes, especially if I take ibuprofen for muscle pain from overexertion.

As soon as I get my AFO I am going to start getting back into doing some regular excercise. 30 min a day of even light excercise does help with the pain for me.

Afo?
 

"I am being fitted for an AFO next week and walk with a cane now."

Forgive my ignorance but what is an AFO? Thanks.

No problem, AFO stands for Ankle Foot Orthotic, it basically a leg brace. The one I will be fitted for has an insole made for my foot and a stiff rigid leather lace up/velcro ankle foot support that will fit inside a walking shoe. I will need to get a shoe slightly larger to accomodate it and take the insole out. It has a brace that fastens to my lower leg so that leg bone provides the support that the muscles in my ankle and foot no longer provide. Currently my doctor has me in a boot/cast until it is made. It is the only thing that prevents me from walking on the outside of my foot or prevents me from rolling my ankle or worse. It also keeps the foot at a 90 degree angle so that I am not tripping over my toes.

In my case it was Lyrica 150 mg per day, B-complex capsules and Zinc :)

I tried the lyrica Blue, for me it didn't work as good as my old stuff. I'm Happy it's working for you!

What I use now...I wear my AFO only if I plan to be out for the day, otherwise I hobble around pretty good at home. It does help with the Drop Foot (trippin over toes):o

Knee, elbow & wrist braces everyday to keep me from overdoing it.

Yoga deep breathing & stretches

3 percocets a day 7.5

1 Lexapro

2 Womans Multi Organic Vitamins

2 B12 for extra boost
4 tbls CHIA (Salvia hispanica L)
1 xanax for sleep

Keep sugars as low as possible as they are instant inflamatory agents.:(

Caffeine also limited:(

1/2 cup micro brew beer every other night! :wink:

To much of ANY of these will have me back in severe pain! This may change as weight does, it's all trial & error. So far, this is it.

Pain meds
 

Naproxin OTC 4 tablets a day
Cymbalta 60 mg twice a day
Lyrica 75 mg twice a day
offer me virtually symptom-free results
Steve Short