Diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy

[telos2000]

My doctor says I have Peripheral Neuropathy!

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

Back in 1997 I was in a headon collision that nearly broke me in-half. Broken sternum, three t-spines, six ribs, a knee, and my nose. Seems that the cord compression screwed up my nervous system. My feet burn all the time like they are in very hot water. I have weird feelings in my fingers and arms but not as bad as the feet. I have been seeing doctors since recovering for the initial injuries of the accident (except the t-spine which will never heal but grow worse as I age) and none have been able to help.

Finally my pulmonary doctor figures it out and put me on Neurontin and it really helps....does take away all of the pain but it makes it tolerable. I have stayed away from painkillers with my back, but I had to do something about this. It screwed with my head for about three months, but now I am getting used to it.

Every heard of this or know anyone who had it? Besides me that is!

[YorkieLover]

That accident sounds horrendous. I don't think I knew about your accident, or that you're in that kind of pain yet. :(

I don't know anyone diagnosed with this condition. I hope you can be helped to dull the pain at least.

Does it hurt any to ride your new motorcycle? (BTW, have you had a chance to ride it much?)

[firetiger888]

Oww sounds like it was a really bad accident. Sorry to hear that you are still dealing with the problems caused by it. May I ask when did the accident happen?

I ether haven't heard about Peripheral Neuropathy. Be careful with your new bike. :bear:

[skyangel]

I am sorry to hear that you was in a bad accident. I hope they can find something for you that can ease your pain. I dont know of anyone with this. But I hope they can help you.

[verwon]

I know quite a lot about it, actually, I know quite a few people that have it, and have researched and answered questions for a lot of people who have it.

They even thought it might be causing part of my problem, but when I tried the meds, both Neurontin and Cymbalta, I had no luck with them, they gave me no relief at all, so I had to go back to traditional anelgesics and am no on narcotics.

We suspect Andy is in the beginnings of it now, since he is diabetic and has been having bad pain for several months now.

I am very sorry to hear you are suffering from this, it can be a very miserable condition and can affect every aspect of your life. The good thing is the new meds that treat it, like Lyrica, Neurontin, and Cymbalta, have way less side effects than narcotics and opiates, so they can alleviate the pain while still letting function like normal, plus on Neurontin, they can take the dose up pretty high, without worry of overdose, to keep your pain in control.

Anyway, if you want any other information about this or have any questions, feel free to ask away, you know how to reach me and you know I am always happy to help.

It is much easier for me now, too, since my darling Andy bought me this laptop!!

[telos2000]

I have decided to donate the motorcycle to charity. I was home last weekend and made that decision. It is just sitting there and it is selfish for me to go riding. I have to spend time with my family. When the relocation is over, I will buy another one.

I thought I said the accident was in 1997, October 21st to be exact. Completely destroyed my new pickup and put me out of work for about a month and a half. After three months I had surgery on my knee to repair it. My doctor wanted to wait until my ribs and sternum healed. I was thankful for that!

Thanks Verwon. I started on 300mg three times a day and up to 600mg three times a day. My doctor might move me to 900mg three times a day in six months. I think that is as high as he wants to go. I have been sleeping better (not great but better) and though the pain isn't gone it is tolerable most of the time. It is funny that I can deal with the intense back pain most of the time, I can't stand the foot pain! Isn't that weird?

[verwon]

Not really, you have to figure it this way, you can move around and take pressure of your spine easily enough, so that alleviates the pain some itself, but your feet are in use much of the day, even when you sit down, they are still mostly pointed toward the floor so they have blood rushing in and presure put on them, and you spend a good deal of the day on your feet.

Plus, if you have pinched nerves that are causing part of your pain, that pressure is always present, no matter what you do.

Many people can easily handle pain in other areas of their body, but if it hits their hands and feet, they are miserable, because those body parts are almost always in use.

One tip I can give you now, to make sleeping more comfortable is to invest in a couple of memory foam pillows for your head, trust me, they really help to keep your back lined up properly and take the pressure off, remember this is a fellow pain sufferer, so I am talking from experience. I bought good ones for Andy and I at Wal-Mart and it was well worth the $25 each.

You should also pick up a nicely stuffed body pillow, one of those long ones, you can tuck it beside you in bed and lean on it or lean over it, whatever way you need to give yourself support and take pressure off of the most painful areas when you are trying to sleep. The thinner ones also come in handy in the car, you can put them behind you, or sit on them to take extra pressure off your spine and tail bone for driving or riding comfort.

And perhaps most importantly, invest in the best shoes you can get, especially with foot pain, you won't believe the difference it will make to your life and your pain levels if you wear a good pair of Nikes as compared to a cheap Wal-Mart shoe.

[telos2000]

I have the pillows and the mattress cover. My podiatrist has me wearing SAS or Rockport shoes. I buy my sneakers from Sports Authority and I had to give up my cowboy boots.

[tlspiegel -Closed]

Hope you feel better soon. You might like to invest in Crocs for your shoes. I wear mine all the time!
I have a pair of bright red Caymans, and a brown pair of Scutes.

[whitequeen96]

You poor guy! It sounds miserable. And the accident sounds just awful! Your family must've been terrified that they'd lose you!

I'm glad you're finding some relief these days. And here's a wierd suggestion: I find that sleeping on the couch aleviates my back pain. Being able to lean against the back for support really helps. I don't know if it would work for you, but consider it.

[Debbie42]

I have the pillows and the mattress cover. My podiatrist has me wearing SAS or Rockport shoes. I buy my sneakers from Sports Authority and I had to give up my cowboy boots.

That stinks my hubby would hate to have to give up his boots. And your motorcycle too you poor guy the pain is bad enough but to add that on top is just agony. DH actually has to sleep on the floor when his pain gets out of control it is the only thing hard enough.

[telos2000]

Hope you feel better soon. You might like to invest in Crocs for your shoes. I wear mine all the time!
I have a pair of bright red Caymans, and a brown pair of Scutes.

Well honey, I bet I would look simply mah-va-luss in a pair of bright red Caymans! (said with my best lisp):kiss:






Just kidding!:)

[katlnhats]

Wow, you're really going through a lot, aren't you? You've got the piles of pillows like we do, and Ver too. The meds you take and the ones Ver mentioned I was tried on and since I seem to be allergic to almost everything, they were no exception. Pain, constant pain, especially in your feet is so hard as you're either sitting or standing or walking, therefore, your feet are always in that position where it's going to hurt. Hope that the meds work well and you feel better.
Sounds like a horrible accident...

Kat

[tlspiegel -Closed]

Crocs are worn by men, women, and children. They are extremely lightweight and probably the best shoe for foot pain there is on the planet. Check them out in a store. I'm not kidding! You don't have to buy a bright color, they come in normal colors. If you do consider them, do not buy anything that isn't Crocs - there is no comparison and they are immitations that don't come close to the real thing.

[june72]

Many prayers for all of you that are having troubles! May God touch you all in a mighty way!:)

[verwon]

The advice on the Crocs just reminded me of a news story that I read 2 weeks ago, since you wear them and many people buy them for their kids, I wanted to post a warning here, be very, very careful with them on excalators. Severel kids, teens, and even a few adults were injured when stading near the walls of escalators as they got the rubber sides of the shoes caught and couldn't get them out. Now they are warning people who wear them and get on escalators to mind your feet and make sure you keep your feet over to the middle, rather than standing on the edge right near the handrail.

LOL! Before reading this story, I didn't even know what crocs were, I had to look it up.

Anyway, here's some stuff about it:

http://shoes.about.com/b/a/257385.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=2530368&page=1

Personally, I wouldn't recommend these shoes to someone with foot problems or pain, I know our doc told my husband to never wear them since he is diabetic and rubber shoes like this do not have the appropriate support for people who need it and they can hold in excessive moisture.

I know a lot of people say they are comfortable and that is great if you do not have any problems with your feet or pain issues.

I am sure both kats, telos, myself, and others can all tell you, that the one thing you need when you have pain issues are shoes with good support and that also protect you feet. Open toed shoes are also not recommended for anyone with diabetes, foot problems, or pain conditions.

On the cowboy boot issue, I had to stop wearing mine, too, as well as my high heels, which I just love, but when you have pain problems like yours telos, or back problems like mine, you have to have something that has support and a relatively flat sole, any heeled type of footware will increase your pain tremendously, because they throw you lower back out of wack.

[telos2000]

I looked at those Crocs and.....well call me a slave to fashion....or perhaps machismo...but I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of those. No offense meant and I am sure they look good on the ladies, but they just aren't my cup of tea.....I meant cup of black coffee!:) So far my SASs and Rockports are doing fine.

I also started taking B-6 which is suppose to help. We shall see.;)

[tlspiegel -Closed]

Each to their own. I know bikers who wear them around here and I also know people with severe pain either back or foot or leg and they wear them all the time. :) But, each to their own.

[Mouse7088]

Oh wow Telos...here I thought it was just your mind that wasn't 100% healthy;) Of course you know I'm teasin'. I have never heard of Peripheral Neuropathy, but it definitely doesn't sound like a walk through the park. I hope you find something that works for you. Gentle hugs (and minding your toes:)).

[telos2000]

Hey Mouse! Long time no hear from. What up with the Meeses?

[Mouse7088]

We're all doing well. The boys of course are growing too fast. Our little Poms (inside) are doing well also. Romeo turned 1 in July..he's a big ole 2 pounds 9 oz. (give or take an ounce) and Mickey is 6 months old & weighs 4 pounds 15 ounces. We're getting ready for the holidays, of course. Can't really complain about much:)

[telos2000]

It's good to hear from you and I am glad your family is doing well. Drop me a line every now and then my hotmail.com (0@hotmail.com) address. We are moving back to the Dallas area. Have a great thanksgiving!

[lisa23821]

I am a 35 yo who has had periphral nueropathy for 3 1/2 years I would ba very interested in talking with you about my personal experience with this disabling condition my name id Lisa B. Let me know if youd like to talk,So sorry to hear about your accident.,

[telos2000]

Well the Neurontin has quit working and I took myself off of it. I have a new doctor who wants to put me on a new drug, but the side-effects (vertigo, dizziness, faintness, weight gain, etc) are the same...why would I want to do that? Also, the B-6 isn't working and he told me to get off of it.

Now to top all this off, I have been diagnosed with rumatoid arthritis! I don't want to get any older!:cry:

Lisa...please share you experiences and thoughts. Thanks.