Progression on PN
 

Hi All:

I'm listing my symptoms below to see if anyone else has had the same sort of progression as I have had:

In chronological order:

Numbness in feet
Pain in feet
Pain in legs (lower legs)
Pain and stiffness in heels in morning after waking
Extreme pain in knee area
Numbness in hands
Extreme pain in left elbow
Pain and tightness in right foot
Loss of feeling and sensation in right foot

What helps:

Exercise - I found that walking wasn't enough and felt like it was contributing to my pain. I started off running slowly at the gym gradually up to a 30 minute cardio workout.

Stretching - In my gym, they have machines that you can use to really stretch out your legs and arms

Meds - Gabapentin 300 mg. It doesn't eliminate my pain, but it does help.


What makes it worse:

Sitting in any position for too long - this makes the pain in my knees worse

Inactivity - I'm very stiff after being inactive for prolonged periods.

Periods - My symptoms are worse during my period.


I'm just wondering if my symptoms are atypical. As always, I wish everyone the best in here dealing with PN.

Thanks.

Mine has progressed similar to yours.
Havent had the same pain problems.
Had some leg pain earlier on.
Don't seem to get any now though.
My right hand & foot are the worst.
All I take daily is:
100mg R-Lipoic Acid
2x1MG Methyl Cobalamin B12

Taking a pain killer along with Gabapentin or Lyrica, usually produces
a reduction in pain levels. (A Cocktail)
300mg of Gabapentin is a starter dose (3xday?=900/day). 2700/day (900x3) to 3600/day (1200x3) and more is not unusual.
I take Lyrica + Tramadol (Ultram), others use different meds.
There are over 75 different meds used individually, or in combination- to treat PN.

Mine started as a sharp burning sensation in my upper middle back. I then felt a strip of burning down my inner left leg. From there it spread all over my body in a matter of six weeks.

My worse areas are my back, stomach, knees and lower legs. I also have it to a painful but still lesser degree in my feet, arms, and hands. I am seven months into the disease and at present I have no numbness or muscle weakness.....yet.

What makes me feel better:

Distraction and keeping busy. Walking around.

Better weather. High pressure and low pressure systems affect me.

Warm baths or showers.

Using a cooling gel such as Calendula gel. Very soothing.

I also take 1800 mg. of Gabapentin and Vicodin as needed. The Vicodin helps more then the Gabapentin.

Recommended supplements listed on this site.

Avoiding sugar or too much caffeine.

I think we are all different in many ways of what helps and does not. I will say too what someone else stated that 300 is a very low dose so you may feel better if your doctor begins to increase or adds a combo of other meds. Also since you are stiif like I am too so stiff a possible muscle relaxer you may want to ask about.
For me I am not sure what is my PN pain and what is my RSD pain or the unknown.
I will say what makes for better times is good weather,proper amount of movement, sometimes as needed meds,baths
Worse invasive procedures,bad weather,tests,too much activity,touch,wrong material on legs