When my B12 was tested it was about 4 months after the neuropathy had started to turn to pain. In order to stop the neuropathy, i went on ridiculous amounts of antibiotics and remian on them today(oral VS IV now however). They may have prevented the neuropathy from healing if they soaked up the B12 I had. I am going to request another look and will stay on them as Dr. Snow mentions. I have other neuro problems as well so at this point, why not?!

I recently had heavy metals testing done(not sure how reliable the testing is) and I came back high for mercury, lead and gadolidium. The integrative doc I see naturally feels I should chelate (orally not with IV) and of course get all my mercury fillings out !! I have read that mercury can cause neuropathy so of course it peaks my interest but I was wondering if you've got an opinion on metals and/or if you have any valid articles to point my to?

Lastly, I'm preplexed over the neurontin. I understand I should never stop with out counsel from my doc but i doubt he would ever advise it since it's all he's got to offer(plus IVIG). I have such pain in my feet w/out it, I don't know how I could survive. When it's doing it's job, I feel nothing! Bear in mind I am still fighting a ton of other issues from the lyme so the relief is MORE then welcome. However- I HATE HATE HATE being on pain meds like this and know that my body prob can't tolerate going up much higher then I already am-3600. How do people like yourself survive the pain? Or, has your pain loevel decreased to where it's "tolerable?" I know you listed your meds but none of them are real big guns, w/ the exception of the ocassional Tramadol. In additon to the Neurontin Im on 150 of Trileptal and .05 of Ativan for sleep at night. If I were to come off and truly gage the pain(as of right now when I break thru the meds the pain is round the clock with no trigger-it just "is") are these meds the type one could get back on with the same efficacy?

Sorry for the long reply!

Kate

My most severe pain was when I was hypothyroid.

I just have that "endurance" personality!

I only used pain opiates one day after my 15in long C-section, too. Opiates make me very depressed and sick feeling.

I also use high gauss magnets at times. But not every day.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=magnets
Magnets work best when placed over the offending nerve before it gets the the spine. I use the graphics mentioned on that thread to help with placement. Same idea as with Lidoderms.

I've been using d-ribose, to increase mitochondrial functions and it also helps me sleep better. This then translates to less pain.

But remember I have been on many supplements for a decade.
This helps too.

I believe the Vit D3 has been especially useful.

My PN is of the burning type, when active. I control it now by avoiding nightshade veggies and MSG which really trigger it.
Biofreeze really helps with burning.

Some people have food intolerances which make for more issues. So you may have to do an elimination diet to see if you are triggered by gluten, nightshade, citrus, or dairy.

Interesting! My docs "thought" I had Hoshimoto's because one test showed the antibodies but several done thereafter have been either borderline or w/in range so there's been no treatment. Thyroid issues can cause neuropathy?! I'm learning new things every day on here.

WOW, you are tough!! I have such a high pain tolerence for surgeries(2 csections as well w/ no follow up meds other then motrin), headaches, body aches, etc. but THIS is unlike anything i have experienced. Sometimes I contemplate getting off the meds to see if I could adjust- and then my husband says- WHY would you do that when you can get a couple more months pain free?! And of course, that makes sense too I am raising little girls ages 6 & 2with no fmaily around ..and well..they're girls, need I say more! I need all the help I can get! Every time I break thru the neurontin, I go as long a sI can before increasing. This last time I made it 3 weeks but finally couldnt take it anymore and gave in. Since im unwilling to go higher, I will be learning to "adjust" in 2 months w/out choice anyway as I'll break through again.

Did you have any thoughts on the metals?

If you tested high on the metals, I'd do the chelation.

It will remove beneficial things too...like copper and zinc, but most doctors will tell you to take supplements after.

Some things naturally chelate:
selenium is supposed to help remove mercury
(don't go over 200mcg/day for any length of time--- but if you are not getting selenium in you food, 100mcg a day may help)

And Alpha lipoic acid too.
This is an article about r-lipoic
http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html

The supplements aren't working for me this month. I am having my worst ever symptoms of pain and burning.

I took 2 mg of melatonin to help me sleep last night. Could that be making things worse?

No I don't think melatonin can hurt.

But the shifting weather can! I've been sneezing up a storm today, and very tired... the wet leaves and mold are bothering me and the sudden barometric pressure shifts are disturbing.

I am going to have to restart my grapeseed extract now!

We've had some friends around here complaining too. So whatever makes nonPN people miserable can make us miserable too on top of everything else! Just my opinion.