End of pain tolerance
 

Hi everyone. New here and I don't where to begin to tell my story of the last 10 years when it all first started. I hit 40 and it hit back with a vengeance. I first noticed when walking, a tightness in back of calves. As soo as I sat down, it would subside. It continued to get worse and worse till couldn't even walk a city block. I had always been active. If I could walk instead of taking a bus or subway place, I would. I was in fit and in shape. Oh yeah, I was and continue to be a smoker. I know, the worst possible thing for poor circulation. Anyway, I went to several doc's and it was finally diagnosed as PAD, Peripheral Artery Disease. That was back in 2003 and I had my 1st vascular surgery of my femoral arteries in my groin. By the way, heart is fine, it is all in the groin leg feet area. Surgery did not help at all. I did all I was supposed to do but nothing. In 2005 I redid the surgery with same surgeon and it was a nightmare. Caught a nasty staph infection and felt/wished I was dying. I was told later that while on the table, after a 4 hr OP, as soon as he closed me up, I starting clotting and there was no blood flow. So he opened me up again for a total of an 11 hr surgery and a staph infection.I felt so helpless and at my wit's end, depression, suicidal, you name it. I let it go with no treatment for a couple more years until the PN started as a result of my feet being oxygen blood enriched deprived. The pain was unable. It felt like razor blades inside mt feet, slashing to get out And the jolts of electricity that would shoot out of feet and out of hands at the same time. I had every test under the sun. I found a new Primary dr who I came to adore, he recommended to a new vascular surgeon, Who performed a bi-femoral bypass. It worked for awhile while doing nothing to help the pain of the PN.I take 2400MG daily of Gabapentin (neurontin) with no side effects at all. I will never forget that first dose. It was a miracle!!! But it slowly faded and I am worse that ever. I went back to my vascular surgeon, he did more tests, and says the groin arteries are blocked again. He also said I have had enough surgery and wants to do angioplasty. I honestly do not hold out any hope for this. I am so very disgusted, most days I am miserable in pain, even Oxycontin does nothing to help. I get severe edema, swelling of my feet and legs. They are so red/purple and angry looking. Feels like a 10 lb sausage in a 2 lb skin. The discoloring disturbs me great. I am waiting to be told I have to have them amputated. That is NOT going to happen. I will "check out and night night" to all I love before I allow that. And on top of that I had cataracts removed and now diagnosed with glaucoma. It was so bad,and scary. My eye pressure was 40, normal is about 10-20. Pain unbelievable. But now we have it down to a healthy 14 pressure. But I have blind spots and fear I will go completely in affected left eye. I could keep going but I feel like I have babbled on. I hope someone reads this and has some advice or suggestions. Thanks for listening. Sincerely, Kitty.

Hi
Welcome to the boards though sorry for all you have and continue to go through. Have you seen a pain management doctor? Often they do more for pain control then a neurologist etc. Since you have had benefits from neurontin did you talk to your doctor about increasing it? Though Mrs D has stated swelling can happen from this med. I have swelling too and I understand the pain it causes.
I think on here too it was stated infections can cause PN. Do you feel your staph infectiong may have? Have you seen a rheumatologist?
I have severe eye problems and pain. I have been to over 50 apts and 10 eye specialists plus neurologists etc. I understand the fears you have. It has been hard to find a doctor who connects my rsd/pn and the eyes.
If I were you I would see a rheumatologist if you have not. Also have you had mris's? Also lab work for auto immune etc conditions. I wish I could offer more but I know the more educated on here will come along to help.
Hang in there

That is just a harrowing experience you have had, Kitty.

Once doctors get into multiple surgeries, often people end up with many problems.

There are medications to help with circulation. The calcium channel blockers like nifedipine work for some people. Also low dose viagra-type drugs open blood vessels too.

But once the vessels are damaged... like you describe, I am at a loss to suggest anything else.

It is also possible you have RSD... here is our RSD board. This is a pain condition people develop from trauma or surgery:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=21

In the first posts on the index page, is a "sticky" with patient photos, and that may help you too.

I won't belabor the smoking... but you do know that smoking is a major cause of PAD... there is no way around that. You just have to quit.

Some drugs including antibiotics may cause PN too. With your staph infection, you may have had to use these:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread122889.html

Ditto, I was going to suggest she look at the RSD forum also..
just in case it is that and not PN.

hello
 

I'm sorry to hear of your difficulty, Kitty, and I hope that you find a way to treat the problem. In the meantime, you might consider treating the symptoms of intolerable pain. I work with pain patients, and know that there are multiple new options available. I'm not sure where you are from, but there are several terrific "Pain Centers" in the Boston area that can discuss pain pumps, stimulation, and other options for you. Good luck.