peripheral neuropathy

[booemmy]

HELP! Can anyone answer some questions about this painfull disease? My Dr. does'nt know very much about it so I don't even bother to ask anymore.He has me on 180mgs of Nortriptyline at night,am also taking 2 Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/500 at night and 1 in the morning. He says that this is the only meds he can give me without going into the Opiats. These meds really don't help with the pain, they don't even make me sleepy,but once I finally do go to sleep,about 4hrs after taking the Hydrocodone,I sleep very well.I have had this for about 5 years, and I don't know anyone who has it,so if you know anything, please let me know.

[john the bomb]

This can be caused by lots of things mainly diabetes.You say your doctor does notknow about this?I will choose my words carefully here but even a half baked doctor has some clue what to do here.Did you have blood work?There is a cause here.Lyrica or antiepileptic meds help at times.Good luck.

[booemmy]

Hi John the bomb, I had blood tests and the Neurologist I was referred to said they showed that I have a B12 deficiency, Pernicious Anemia.My M.D is the one who does'nt seem to know very much.Everything I've learned has been online.I've been getting these whole body jerks that last for just a second.which the m.d. does'nt think is caused by the PN.I've been looking for answers since I was diagnosed last Aug. I get a monthly shot of B12 and hope it helps,but the pain is always there. I don't see my Neurologist until June 15. Thanks for your help

[feelbad]

If you haven't already,scroll on down to the neuropathy board way down below here.there are many mnay people there who suffer with PN and other forms of neuropathic pain syndromes,myself included.mine were caused by spinal cord injury.but the level and types of pain are very much the same and some even worse.I have RSD and central pain syndrome,these,like PN,are very hard to treat and control with any real success.it takes alot of trial and error to come up with the right combo of meds to quiet down the burning and other neuro crap that comes along with this type of pain.

your doc is right on with the nortriptyline.the hydro probably wont make much of a dent but it does work for some folks,this type of pain,like other chronic pain syndromes is very highly individual in just what it will respond to in any given person.one of the best things to treat this crappy pain is the use of the anti siezure meds,like neurontin,gabitril and many many others.

the thing is,you will most likely not get this doc to really treat this pain in the best way possible since from what you have stated,he really does not understand this type of pain.like many family docs.you really DO need the expertise of a pain doc.this is where I really found the best relief.they just see and treat this type of pain almost daily and are very knowledgeable about the best ways to treat it.i would speak with your current doc about referring you to a pain clinic where you can get the best possible treatment for your type of pain.

this is what the pain clinics do all day long,treat pain.this is the best place for you,really.I am sure your doc would be more than happy at this point to senfd you to one and then he wont have to deal with it anymore or worry about Rxing you anymore narcotics.most docs really like it when they do not have to continually Rx any form of narcotics as when they do,they come under much closer scrutiny from the DEA.this will be a huge load off your docs shoulders.so it works out well for both of you.

i really do think a good pain clinic would be the best next step for you instead of hoping that one day your primary is just going to suddenly become aware of how to appropriately treat your particular type of pain.this was the best move I personally ever made for getting my pain appropriately addressed.good luck and let us know how things go.FB

[booemmy]

Feelbad, thank you for your info.I called my M.D. this am before I read the boards,and asked him for a stronger dosage of the Hydrocodone since the one I'm on does'nt help,so he gives me the same dosage ,but now I'm to take 2 every 6 hrs.I don't know,maybe it's just me, and I'm no Dr. but the pills just don"t work.Tomorrow I'm going to call and see if my Health provider has a pain clinic. I just might take my husband with me and see if he can make him understand that the pain is bad. again thanks. Oh by the way maybe you can answer one question for me? Will the pain stay in my feet,or will it move? M.D says it will hurt until it goes completly numb. Thanks booemmy