Neuropathy Help

[Laura72]

Hi ya,

Ive been officially diagnosed with Neuropathy in the past week and am waiting to see the diabetic team in the next month. Ive been put on a pain killer called Neurontin in the meantime.

I suffer from really bad shots of pain through my feet, burning sensations and a feeling like somebody has got sandpaper and sanded the top layers of my skin off and my feet are open to the air. These feelings get worse at night time and when I'm in bed I cant let my feet touch the duvet. The pains become unbearable and all I can do is cry. At times the pains in my feet become so bad that I find it difficult to walk.

I am watching my blood glucose levels and diet really closely.

Does anybody out there have any suggestions or comments. All would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[sugarless sue]

Ask your nurse or doctor if you can get a bed cradle from them, alternatively see if any of the bigger chemists have them in stock. This will raise the duvet off your feet and stop it irritating.

Please also be aware that the medication, Neurontin, can also cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate.

 

[Laura72]

Thank you, really appreciate your comment.

 

[jopar]

For tonight and until you get to either docs or chemist

Rolled up Bath towels, might raise the quilt cover enough off your poor feet to give a little relife, you could also convert a box as well to make a little cage... There are verious things that you can put at the end of the bed to raise the quilt up and out the way, but this does depend on how much space there is between your feet and the end of the bed though...

My mum when she hurt her ankle many years ago actually used one of those little platic foot steps at the end of her bed to keep the covers off..

 

[justfoundout]

You can progress beyond neuropathy. Back in December I had given up on life. I had pain everywhere and could have given up on life. With db dx I came here read and and learnt and nearly all the pains have gone. Life is worth living and I have rejoined the human race. Get your BS down that is my advice. Low carb works for me but others have other ways. Look and learn. Good luck. M

 

[lilibet]

Hi
Tight control of bg can in some cases reverse neuropathy - though to what degree I dont suppose anyone can say

Ive also read of supplements which can help
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Benfotiamine
Vit C

Think the ALA and the Benfotiamine a bit harder to come by but maybe keep it in mind
Conventional meds are abound to help but some of the side effects seem a bit yeuch, but best to leave this bit to your GP. What you can do is address bg and look at supplements

 

[carty]

A vitamin B complex with B 12 works for me I use one called Life Plan vitamin B complex it includes folic acid which I read helps I hope this helps I used to feel as if I had red hot barbed wire shooting under my toe nails ! I also worked hard to get my BS down so keep on with that. CAROL

 

[Russ]

My neuropathy fluctuates but I took Acetyl L-Carnitine for a while and I believe it helped. Certainly, it doesn't bother me as often as it did. It is naturally found in dark meat which, as I don't eat meat, may be a cause of my deficiency, but it is claimed it can regenerate nerve endings. The sandpapered skin feeling sounds like a sort of neuralgia which I get on face and hands sometimes and get instant relief by using ibruprofen gel.

Give it a good Google to see if you think it could help you. It isn't cheap.

Russ

 

[michael smith]

Hi I also suffer from neuropathy,and understand your pain.My podiatrist asked me to try Capsaicain cream.My g.p. agreed and i have been using it since.It takes the pain away in seconds.I even carry some in the car as the pain is unbearable if it comes on when driving.I believe it is also used on people with shingles to take the nerve pain away.Give it a try.Works for me.All the best Mike.

 

[Hobs]

I use Voltarol Emulgel (diclofenac dithylamine gel 1.16%) for arthritic and myofascial pain. After a trial for neuropathy pain as well, I am now prescribed it for all three conditions in the 100gm pack.

I am not saying it will help everyone as we are all different, but it might be worth trying a smaller 30gm tube for under a fiver just to see if it makes any difference. Then if it does, you could ask your GP for a script for the larger 100gm tubes

 

[roy948]

I have similar burning sensations in my ankles and feet, ask you doctor to try a capsul called LYRICA. for me it has worked wonders.

 

[Dobbs]

I also had neuropathy for a time (which is what led me to discover I was diabetic) but after about a year of controlling my levels it subsided considerably and now I'm rarely aware of it and it almost never bothers me. I do believe tight control of your levels is the only way towards longer-term improvement, but these other suggestions are great if they bring a bit of relief while you're waiting for things to improve.

 

[multisync]

I read somewhere that there were special socks you could get for neuropathy.Any body else heard of them and if so where can you get them.

 

[Hobs]

I read somewhere that there were special socks you could get for neuropathy.Any body else heard of them and if so where can you get them.

I buy non elasticated pure cotton socks from the City street market, but I did find a site with sock details
http://www.toesocks.co.uk/Living_with-i-diabetes.html

 

[multitasker]

Hello! yes it is very painful.Reducing blood sugar levels obviously helps,I found that exercise helped especially swimming.
I hope it improves,I don't think that it goes away completely,sorry!

 

[JanetS]

I wholeheartedly agree with the Lyrica! I take 2 x 500mg per day, and then at night a 10mg Amitriptyline. Word of warning, both the Lyrica and the Amitrip cause drowsiness, especially the next morning! This is why I don't go into work until about 11.30am: I give myself time to wake up naturally, which is about the best course of action with these drugs. (I wake up any time between 9 and 10). If I know I have to get up early, for an appointment for instance, I leave off the Amitrip, then it's easier for me.

The upside is, the relief is great. I was sick recently and couldn't take them for quite a few days. I noticed the difference.

Wish you better soon! xx

 

[ham79]

Hi hope you've found some relief I'm still searching currently on max doses of pre-gablin, tramadol and paracetemol with no joy so far. Morphine next with a side of wheelchair according to my "team" I'm a rarity but keep hope and try to get some sleep good luck in your quest

 

[Donal Bredin]

I have suffered for a few years with this. It seems to get worse in cold weather. This winter after getting it bad I did a number of things;

A , I went on line and got some very thick warm socks.

B , I went on the vit B complex.

C . I gave up the statton pills I was on for colestorol.

D . I made sure the electric blanket was on for at least one hour before I went to bed.

Even with the thick socks it seems the feet get cold the minute you take them off. If I dont have the electric blanket it takes about 2 hours for my feet to heat up when I get into bed. I might add 2 hours of twisting and turning and no sleep.
Good Luck

 

[jwilki]

Hi
i also suffer from Neuropathy and yes it is very painful. Unfortunately mine has progressed on to Diabetic Amyotrophy and I have great difficulty in walking. But for the pain I find exercise works well and for the night I have to take Mabron (Tramedol) and one Panadol and then I can get some sleep. My Neurologist has said it should, with Physio, very very slowly get better. My bg now averages around 5.

 

[andywhitt1]

Hi Laura,I have neuropathy in both legs and hands ,my Specialist started me on amitryptiline tablets a few months ago.They are brilliant for my hands but do nothing for my legs.I am only on 75mgs and he said we can go up to 150/200 mgs but have to increase slowly because they can make you a bit high.He also said that he is going to up my nitrate,he didnt explain what this meant.I would recommend the amitryptiline though he said it can work on either,or all parts affected by neuropathy.Hope you get sorted out soon,its a horrible thing to have to put up with along with the other things we must do.