Yes a hard pill to swallow, that's for sure. Going on thirteen years for me and I still wish I would wake up in the morning and it would be gone. I think what makes it hard is it's unknown to most folks unlike painful conditions like arthritis which can stop you in your tracks like pn. Pain is a hard pill to swallow but dealing with others makes it even harder. You look fine but are not, having to do things you don't feel like doing but have to. That's the hardest for me. Hang in there!

Marty

I can relate to looking fine and being in pain that is so high. I am young and actually just got carder for a lotto ticket so people think I can do things in a fast paced way. I had a lasy yell at me for being in a handicap spot and I have a sticker. It is hard to push through the mental and physical pain but I try to hold to hope that yes I may have this for ever and a degree of pain but it can be more functionable. Hugs to all

jakatak,
The neuroma causes 90 percent of the pain I have with PN, they don't want to do surgery on mine. Is your discomfort more or less after having the surgery. I would greatly appreciate you response on this subject. Thanks
Lanny

Stagger,
Many neuroma Dx's are incorrect and are in reality, PN.
Surgery is either recommended, or performed .... when it is not the cause.
I would check with a PN specialist before conferring with a neuroma surgeon- operable or inoperable.

Bob,
This neuroma developed after I was on Lyrica and last year I developed a tumor (cyst) on the back of my neck. Pretrial studies on rats showed that there were cases of tumors developing. I'm thinking of going back to Neurontin since I have been on Lyrica for over four years and will probably go back to Tramadol from Methadone. I wish I could get answers from the doctors, the last one told me I spend too much time on the puter. I don't see Neuro's any more. Thanks for your input.
Lanny

You are on METHADONE? I have a client on methadone. He is a former heroin user. He talks about what a horrible addiction methadone really is......that is such a powerful drug. I wonder if that is a drug that you should be taking. I don't think it has any affect on neurological pain.

Jack,
Methadone is used for PN in instances where other meds
have failed to get successful results.
It is quite effective for those who use it.
It is a drug that can cause dependency, but so do many others for PN
such as Lyrica, Neurontin, Cymbalta, Tramadol, etc.

Oh Bob, I can't address the effectiveness of Methadone on PN, but I have witnessed...first had the devastation of methadone withdrawal and the dangers of respiratory failure. I lost two clients to methadone overdose and another to suicide do to as he explained..."If I would have known how horrible methadone was, I wouldn't have given up on heroin. I understand the difference between pharmaceutical and street drugs....I just worry someone using this incredibly addicting drug if they can possible use one less deleterious.

Jack,
My wife is an administrative RN, unit manager - and supervised
the BPRU Methadone outpatient clinic at Hopkins Bayview for over 10 yrs.
This was for addicts to come in for their daily or 2x/day methadone doses.
We're well aware of the consequences.
But it has been proven effective in the cases where it has been used to treat PN.
I've known about it (treatment for PN) for about 10 yrs.
It is usually used as a last resort when most other meds have failed to yield results.
It is inexpensive and works very well for some.

Stagger,

On the subject of neuromas, I had a really bad case on one of my feet. My foot swelled to twice its size and I was unable to walk. At the time, my insurance was an HMO, and they required three rounds of cortison injections prior to approving surgery. I did all three rounds, and they didn't calm the inflamation at all. This ended up in surgery to remove two large neuromas in the second and third innerspace. I got great relief for four years.

Out of the blue, I started getting severe pain in my shin, toward the outside edge. I went back to the podiatrist who xrayed and did an exam. Palpation of the foot revealed that the neuromas grew back. I wasn't told this was a possiblity and was quite shocked. I was also confused because the pain presented differently. My GP recommended that I see an ortho this time so off I went. Another surgery where he removed two large(huge) stump neuromas. He left me in a surgical boot since he also had to fix two hammer toes that I developed as a result of the neuromas, for three months. Then to therapy...didn't help to free up my toes since the scar tissue was undoing the tendon releases. So, another surgery to remove scar tissue and he decided(while I was out) to redo the toes.

Bottom line, my foot is so screwed up it isn't funny. My neuromas have grown back, as stump neuromas again, and my bones are out of wack, so when I walk, I carry most of my weight on one/two bones. I've seen two different doctors about it, and they advised further surgery would make my foot worse.

So, I've always had foot problems which didn't make the PN symptoms so obvious to me on this one foot.

Sorry this is so long, but you expressed an interest in neuromas and I thought my story was appropriate to share.