Is P N progressive?
 

I have been on Neurontin for 2 years now due to pain. I started out with 300 mg per day and am now in 2700 mg. In addition I have recently been on Tramadol which does seem to help.

I seem to need more and more pain meds. At first a lot of my pain was in abdomen, now it seems to have moved to my left leg. It makes it hard to climb stairs. I am wondering if I should make plans to move to place with no stairs.

Yes, some PN is progressive. (perhaps most)

But then the body tends to get used to drugs and circumvent them. So then more is needed. It is sometimes difficult to tell with drugs which is happening. For those not taking drugs
progression is more easily identified.

January.......
 

I have had PN for about 5 years. It has progresssively worsened and the meds (narcotic) have steadly increased. The dose of Oxycontin I am currently on though is the same for the past year. I really try to regulate the Oxycodone(percocet) breakthru so as to help me get through the worst times. This has helped, i believe, in keeping with the same dose.

I had an unsuccessful trial stimulator done a little over a year ago. I had asked my doctor if a stimulator might help stop the progression. He said the stim might help with the pain; but nothing will stop the progression.

Mrs. D has been most helpful in providing info on the best vitamins/supplement to take. These vitamins/supplements have shown, in some cases, help regenerate damaged nerves. I have been on this regimen for about 6 months. I do feel more engertic, as well as dealing with the pain much better as well. I feel this regimen is worth a try. Nothing to lose......everything to gain.

(Gerry)

Would this be motor and automatic neuropathy? Right now it seems like I just have sensory neuropathy which is bad enough. Just wondering if sensory neuropathy can progress to other types.

I think it all depends on the person.

I've had PN for over 30 yrs and I don't have motor issues, just sensory.
(that I know of). I do have less stamina, and am "old" now,
but I can walk and do most things except sports.

I don't think I have autoimmune issues though. And people with
autoimmune problems usually get gastroparesis, dysautomnia, etc. I have two types of metabolic issues however...so with time my diabetic weakness may progress. I sure hope not.

My neuropathy is sensory motor and is progressive, as are all hereditary neuropathies. When you mentioned having trouble with steps it really struck a chord, as I can walk pretty well and for long periods, especially with a cane, but steps are becoming really hard. I have noticed a lot of deterioration in the past three years. ( I am 50). My husband and I have discussed moving to a one floor house, but we really like where we live, and we have a big family, so need the space. But the house is large and inconveniently laid out, with lots of walking. We will probably turn the small family room into a bedroom, shower, and laundry in the next few years. it will ruin the resale value of the house, but the location and yard are perfect and moving is so expensive, so this seems like the best solution. For now I struggle up and down the stairs as much as I am able.

Many people with small-fiber syndromes--
 

--the causes of which range from diabetes (the most common cause) to autoimmune disorders to "idiopathic", often get some degree of autonomic dysfunction as time progresses, although for many this is subclinical and hard to spot. The most common disruptions are to orthostatic blood pressure control and to sweating.

This likely is due to the fact that the autonomic nervous system is made up primarily of unmyelinated small fibers similar to those that sense pain and temperature in the skin.

Diabetics, of course, are well known for autonomic problems such as delayed stomach emptying (diabetic gastropathy) and constipation, among others.