help with the pain
 

Hi my name is Jason I have been diagnosed with neuropathy. I am having alot of problems with pain associated with this disease. I have just started taking gabapentin I have been on pain pills for approx a year. On my good days the pain meds really seem to help but on the bad days they don't even seem to touch the surface. The bad days seem to come in speels that last over a week. Does anyone have any suggestions for the bad days have you found anything that helps? I guess I should tell you I'm on 10-325 hydrocodone four times per day. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance for any replys.

You taking any other supplements? What is the cause of your nueropathy?

Hi Jason, Welcome.

It would also help us help you to know a little more about your symptoms.

Do you have any kind of diagnosis/cause? (There are over 100 causes/types of peripheral neuropathy.)

What kind(s) of pain do you need help with? (e.g. burning, muscle cramping, needle jabs/shocks, etc.)

Have you identified any triggers (foods, activities, events, weather, etc. that make the pain worse)?

Anything that helps? (in bed, out of bed, heat, ice, exercise, etc.)

Doc

recovering alcoholic
 

I've no official reason for the cause of my neuropothy. But just a little background I am a recovering alcoholic but I also developed type II diabetes for years before It was diagnosed. As far as the pain goes I have the numbness needles jabbing pain tingling and burning that are discomfortingly but not the root of my problem. My major pain comes from a deep bone type pain or soreness that aches to the point of tears at times. The more I walk the worse I hurt I spend most days sitting and laying around. Even when I'm sitting or laying I'm still in pain just not as bad as when I aggregate it by standing too much. Maybe this is enough information thanks for the replys all help is GREATLY appreciated. Please feel free to ask any more questions.

I have the deep bone pain, yes to the point of tears is a good description, but I have hereditary neuropathy. Walking does relieve some of it for me, but on soft surfaces like trails, not asphalt or concrete. Standing is bad, as is sitting. You should try to be as active as possible, inactivity can really snowball on you, leading to weight gain and making everything worse.
There is a lot of information here so read everything, particularly the supplement threads. Supplements seem to be most helpful in cases of diabetic or alcoholic neuropathies. Good luck.

Do you have you blood sugar under control? If not, you have to do that. Keep moving and exercise as much as possible. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits & vegetables, avoiding processed foods. You can begin taking vitamin B-12 in the methylcobalamin form, 1000-5000 mcg per day, as many of us do. Diabetes type 2 & B-12 deficiencies are some of the top causes of PN. You may have the alcoholism playing a role as well. Alcohol is toxic to nerves and alcoholics are often deficient in nutrients. Have you been examined by a neurologist? What tests have been done to determine your cause?
Ron

When I get that, it's usually something comorbid like arthritis.

I agree it's better to keep active as much as possible. On those days when you can't seem to get off the couch or out of bed, make yourself get up and move around the house a bit. Inactivity can cause muscles & joints to stiffen up and contribute to more pain. Try some stretching.

I've conquered the burning pain completely, and some of the other pains of PN partially with diet & supplements. R-Lipoic acid and B-5 have helped this; B-12, D, etc. There's much info in the sub-forum and sticky threads. I avoid food triggers like sugars & starches, nightshades, and (for me) too spicy foods.

Doc

Dear jcheeves,

I can't take codeine related drugs. So I must manage pain without them.

I have profound Peripheral Neuropathy and severe osteoarthritis, which is the 'bone pain', among a host of other conditions.

When there is a 'flare' of any pain, there is usually inflammation going on.

I take Aleve (an anti inflammatory) and Cymbalta (it's an antidepressant ON LABEL for the pain of Arthritis and PN).

I have just begun taking Methylprednisolone which is a potent anti-inflammatory, as well.

I also exercise in the water and with the stationary machines in the gym.

Meditation and relaxation exercises are key to managing my pain, as well.

Fear can increase pain, as does tension, stress, and all negative emotions.

I wish you wellness and recovery in the coming year.

Hugs, Elaine

i never heard the term profound peripheral neuropathy until you used it....im assuming that that means severe? in other words on my emg report the description went from mild/moderate to moderate/severe to severe. so im guessing that profound is the same as severe.

I was curious about that myself. Some medical conditions are categorized as mild, moderate, severe, or profound—profound being a degree beyond severe.

I know that in some cases (e.g. hearing loss) the term is measurable/objective/quantifiable, but in others it may be subjective—I don't know for sure.

Doc