Chronic Pain due to IdiopathicPeriphial Neuropathy...HELP!?
830697
Hi Stephen.  I am sorry to hear about your suffering.  I have a couple of thoughts/suggestions.  \n\nFirst, have your been properly tested for vitamin B12 deficiency?  This is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy and most doctors do not know how to properly test for deficiency.  Usually doctors order a serum B12 test, however this can be normal even with deficiency.  The best laboratory tests for B12 status are serum Homocysteine and urinary Methylmalonic acid.  So, be sure this is not an issue.\n\nSecond, I would like to suggest a powerful book by Sherry Rogers, M.D.  It is called: "Pain-free in 6 Weeks".  She is an expert in environmental medicine.  In the book Dr. Rogers explains many, many causes of chronic pain that are not well understood (or even known) by most doctors.  The book is available at Amazon.com.  I highly recommend it.\n\nLast thought, how many Chiropractic evaluations have you had?  Have you ever had a neck injury (e.g. whiplash, sports injury, fall, etc.)?  It is not common, but an upper cervical subluxation could cause your symptoms.\n\nI hope this has been helpful for you.  Best wishes and good luck.
503739
It depends on what's causing the neuopathy.  I have diabetes and when my blood sugar gets really high, my neuropathy gets worse.  If I keep my sugars at a normal range, then I only have to deal with the numbness and not the pain.
999089
I have it in C6 and C7 veterbrae from a bone spur pressing on a disk/nerve root.\nArthroscopic surgery to enlarge opening where the nerve root comes out of spine, and spinal fusion, both of which I am trying to avoid at all costs.\nDoc says if it causes severe neurological problems or causes paralysis,surgery may be only option.\nRight now, just wait and see.\nI have a lot of pain in my cervical neck  and shoulders and arms,\nsome tingling in hands.\nI take a lot of pain meds. and go to p/t. Try to excercise as much as possible, esp.stretches.
655
My sister had a herniated disc and had 2 surgeries on her lower back. Not sure which disc, but she is still in a pain.  Not a lot, but constant, and she can't do things that agitated it for very long...like ride in a bumpy car, walk around the mall, etc.
337479
There are several meds used to treat neuropathy. I suggest Neurontin.\nThis med was originally for use as an anti siezure med in combination with another anti-siezure med but it did not do well.\n\nHowever, it was found very usefull in the treatment of PN.\n\nOther ways to help this painfull condition is to get an electric foot messager. (it is like a whirlpool for the feet). It aides in increasing circulation and blood flow which is reduced in diabetics and thus helping the pain.\n\nDo not walk barefoot.\nCheck your feet for any sores or cuts and treat them right away should you find any.\nFollow your diet and treatment because keeping your blood sugar within normal levels reduces the flare ups of PN.
877008
If you haven't already, get to a pain management doctor. I'm sure he can help you. Don't take the pain though, get to a doctor and MAKE them do something. There is help for you, you just have to be ready to keep going to doctors until you find it. Don't settle on pain, get to a pain management center. Good luck.
1054893
This is the best I could find.\n\nSpondylitis support group \nChicago, Illinois\nScheduled to meet the first Saturday of every other month\nLocation:\nLoyola University Medical Center\nRusso Building, 1st floor room 1371\n1st Ave\nMaywood, Illinois\nMeeting times and location may vary. For additional information, email Michelle De Long, Chicago, Illinois's support group leader or by calling (773) 463-3256.\n\nAlso:\n\nChronic Pain\nChampaign\nChronic Pain Support Group * \n(2001,A,P/L) Offers help, hope and mutual support to those suffering from chronic pain (pain that lasts six months or longer). Meets 2nd Mon., 6-7:30 p.m., Stevick Center, 48 Main St., Champaign. \nContact: Cindy Childs 344-6534\nEmail: clchilds@uiuc.edu\n\nHope this helps.
373467
Well, since you have the diagnosis, you must have seen a doctor.  They should get you into physical therapy for the arm.  There are protocols for RSD in physical therapy to decrease the pain and sensitivity of the area while keeping and increasing range of motion and muscular strength.\n\nIf therapy does not help, you could go on the medical track and get prescribed drugs for the neurologically mediated pain.  Neurontin is a common drug used for this.  Also, medical doctors would recommend a sympathetic ganglion block.  This involves shooting the origin of the nerves (which is in the neck) with a numbing agent.  Sometimes this stops the symptoms completely, sometimes for just a short period of time, and sometimes not at all.  \n\nOn the natural-based medicine track, you could get evaluated to find any problems with organ functioning to include problems with producing or utilizing hormones and neurotransmitters.  Then recommendations for supplementation to support the nerve tissue and the affected organs could be done.\n\nIn any event, consult with your medical doctor on the medical track and find a Chiropractor who practices natural-based medicine or a Naturopath to go about the natural track.  Good luck.
635956
"My sister was diagnosed with erythromelagia over seven years \nago, she was sixteen at the time. Her symptoms were the same as \ndescribed by most here, incredible pain, redness and \nswelling in her hands and feet. She suffered with this pain for \nfour unrelenting months. She was in the Children's\nHospital of Philadelphia. The cure was nitro-prusside. \nAfter two days of being given this drug in ICU her pain was\ngone and has never returned. At the time she was one of the \nfew cases known in the US. Her treatment came from the\nsuggestion of a Turkish doctor. For further information\ncontact her doctor, Dr. Shapiro at the Children's Hospital\nof Philadelphia. Tracy Cartwright was the case name."\n\n"Erythromelagia. means hot feet. I have decided finally to check the web about my hot feet. I will buy peppermint leaves and a book on how to cook it. I will mix it with tea tree oil and use it at night. The bottle of lotion thatI used up had peppermint and tea tree oil. It worked when my feet got hot at night, but I wish there was more peppermint in it. So, this is why Im gonna make my own. I dont believe that hot feet are caused by certain nutrition or nicciotine and alcohol. Thats b.s. Every one I know who does it, but dosent suffer from hot feet. Try to look up this erythromelagia on medical web sites and medical web libraries, not by just surfing the web."
928951
There is a relatively new medication called Lyrica that is approved for peripheral neuropathy.\n\nAsk your doctor about it.
958050
How are you ever going to pass this course?  You have posted two very basic questions here looking for others to answer them for you.\n\nSimply Use Your Brain.  It isn't hard.  Go on, try it.  Once the juices start flowing, the pain goes away.
36396
I have had Fibro since I was 16 and am now almost 36. I have the same diagnosises as you including Myofascial Pain Syndrome and others. Actually, MPS should be a given. In my experience pain medications do not work. I have also tried biofeedback, steroid shots, trigger point injections, nerve blocks, accupuncture, foot braces, wrist braces, carpal tunnel release surguries, and so much more. All just torture and I felt like a guinea pig.\nMy best advise is make sure to get plenty of sleep, take a multiple vitamin, keep active in at least low impact sports, and consider Magnesium and Malic Acid supplements (consult the doctor or a nutritionist to have your Magnesuim level checked- it is a simpe mouth swab and not painful), meditation does help some in keeping the pain back if you can seperate your mind from the pain, and try to take 2-3 warm Epson Salt baths a week (Epson salt contains Magnesium and soaking in a warm tub of it helps to get the mineral into the body. Magnesium aids the muscles in using oxygen and when the level is low which is typical in Fibro it can cause are cramps, spasms, and pain.) \nAlso, Fibromyalgia is a neurotransmitter disorder certain foods can trigger similiar symptoms to Fibro. Try eliminating Monsodium Glutamate from your diet. I did and some of my symptoms (chronic headaches and nausea) went away. It is in everything from Doritos to chicken soup. A few key finding's of an FDA study found MSG to cause a "burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest". Otherwise, learn your limits and pace yourself.\nGood luck!
1002900
Have you seen a specialist? I have complicated chronic migraine headaches with pretty bad pain daily so I know somewhat what your going through. I also have neurological side effects and left side numbness. ( I've been through much testing to see what its caused by and its just complicated migraines)\nI have optical disturbances where I go blind through the day  because the nerves in my head are messed up because of the migraines and I start to see flashing lights and colours. I have found releif with medications and weekly injections into the nerves in my neck and head. I've also found releif with massage. I dont know if that would work for you, but definately go see a specialist! Prayer gets me through it too!
1134329
I'm so sorry that you've had this problem for so many years! Since you've tried so many other options (without success), I would like to recommend seeing a chiropractor. Contrary to popular belief, chiropractic is more than just "neck and back pain."  Chiropractic is founded in the belief that our Central Nervous System (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) controls EVERY bodily function.  A misalignment of the vertebrae (what chiropractic calls a "subluxation") could pinch the nerves running out between them, causing pain, numbness/tingling, or any type of general malfunction of that nerve's corresponding body part. This is why chiropractic has tremendous success in helping people with headaches, numbness in hands and feet, chronic ear infections, and many others.\n\nThere are many different chiropractic techniques out there, so it would be best for you to ask around, visit a few offices and pick the doctor that you are most comfortable with. Taking pain medication is only masking the symptom of pain but is not correcting the problem. No matter what you decide to do, I sincerely hope that things improve for you.
657059
If your certain your not diabetic than it is time to see a Dr. and get a referal to a specialist.\nWhat you describe suggests reduced circulation and there are many conditions that this symptom can be attributed to.\n\nNeuropathy or the pain from it responds well to a med called Neurontin.\nBut I am guessing you have been treated since you seem to know the name of your condition?\n\nThis could be anything from wearing tight heels to a vascular/heart condition.\nPlease pursue this with your doctor.
1161107
That must feel awful, all the time. My heart goes out to you. There are two ways, which occur to me, and I'm 63 years old. The first is pills. You can probably find some pills from your doctor, and if you take enough of them, they might "take the top off" the pain (ease it somewhat), but you are asking for a cure. And cure is a different animal. When a person has "pins and needles," something is being impinged upon inside your body. Something is tangled up that needs straightening out again. All I can do is strongly suggest you see a chiropractor. Why? I dislocated my back over twenty years ago. I actually dislocated L-4 and L-5 (two lumbar vertebrae, lower back). In the very first visit, my chiropractor managed to clear that injury OUT. It has never since come back, over twenty years later, so you can see why I would be inclined to advocate for chiropractic. I fully realize it is not for everyone, and the good news is, one visit and you will probably get a gut feeling about whether or not it is for you. But the alternative, in my opinion, is twofold: pills or surgery. What does your doctor tell you about all this? I am just a layman. Well, I really hope this helps you come to decide some course of action to repair your body. It must be awful to have that nagging at you all the time. I wish you complete success with this issue, no matter what course you choose, and I will be holding strong and positive thoughts on your behalf, knowing something much better will be on the horizon for you and this issue before the leaves begin to drop off the trees in October. Sent to you with love from G. in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A.
916588
The pins and needles thing is a side effect, supposedly it will "magicly" disapear. Pain and constant numbness sounds serious though, could it be diabetes related though? I dont know, go see a doctor. Whats you blood pressure? Remeron lowers it somtimes, might explain weakness. Whoknowes, go see a doctor.