Wellness

[Tissyanne]

The neurologist ordered a lot of blood testing. We don't have any results, and no, we won't do any self treatments. Thank all of you for your replies, suggestions, and kind words.

[Blooming Hyacinth]

I have suffered from neuropathy for several years. The last time I was tested, I was told that I had 30% permanent nerve damage. I tried several different prescription drugs hoping for relief from the horrible pain. Of the first three I tried (one of which has been mentioned on this thread), it is interesting that the conditions that they were designed for have absolutely nothing to do with neuropathy pain, but it was discovered as a side benefit to the drugs. Unfortunately, none of these medications worked for me and I had a very hard time actually get off of one of them, because it had to be weaned down so slowly.

Next, I tried accupuncture. This worked amazingly well. I was to the point that I could go for a few days with no pain at all. Unfortunately, I had to end this treatment and have since moved to an area where it is not easily available.

I've since moved on to straight out pain meds. While it isn't ideal, it makes the pain easier to live with for the most part.

Good luck in finding something that will work. It will probably take a lot of patience, along with some trial and error.

[BaileyBop]

I was reading a forum regarding neuropathy and copied part of one of the posts but also lost the website.

Here is what helped her:

I believe that acetyl-L-carnitine and R-lipoic acid helped with my nerve damage.

Does anyone know if this is a combined product or 2 products. I can't seem to find the exact names seperate or together.

TIA

[luv my Golden]

I am a diabetic and also have neuropathy and can't tell if I have anything on my feet. I am unsteady on my feet as well. My late brother had it really bad and would stumble around.

[emmysmom]

On 6/14/2014 BaileyBop said:

I was reading a forum regarding neuropathy and copied part of one of the posts but also lost the website.

Here is what helped her:

I believe that acetyl-L-carnitine and R-lipoic acid helped with my nerve damage.

Does anyone know if this is a combined product or 2 products. I can't seem to find the exact names seperate or together.

TIA

These are two different products. I took alpha lipoic acid for a couple of years. I think you can get both products at drug stores, health food stores too. Acetyl carnitine is used for neuropathic pain, the ALA is too. HTH!

[Tissyanne]

The neurologist ran two different tests for diabetes, A1C, and the oral glucose testing. Whatever is causing the neuropathy it is not blood sugar related. He said it is worse at night.

[Tissyanne]

On 6/14/2014 luv my Golden said:

I am a diabetic and also have neuropathy and can't tell if I have anything on my feet. I am unsteady on my feet as well. My late brother had it really bad and would stumble around.

I feel for you, and hope you can find relief. Do you have type 1 or 2 diabetes?

[Campion]

Don't want to be gloomy, but that's how it started for my husband--who died of ALS 3 years ago. BUT...there are so many neurological disorders that start with neuropathy.

1. It is bilateral (both sides) or unilateral? That's important. Diagnoses are DIFFICULT and neurology is the worst subject so there are not a lot of neurologists as it takes a brillilant person...and worse yet, most neurological conditions don't get better.

I know, not what you wanted to hear.

2. Vitamin B12 deficiency is COMMON and often starts with neuropathy in feet. Easily treated with B12 injections. Forgetfulness comes next. It's called "pernicious anemia" and it's common in people with digestive disorders or problems with the gut. Has the doctor tested for this?

3. Charcot-Marie-Tooth (yeah, weird name.) This is an inherited disorder. It can be tested genetically but many insurance won't pay for the test (ask me how I know.) Other related inherited disorders.

4. MS

5 Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus (autoimmune)

6. Guillain-Barre (a virus infection)

7. Alcoholism

8. Heavy metal poisoning (mercury, for example)

9. Taking statins (anti-cholesterol meds.) rare

10. ALS (Lou Gehrigs.)

Eliminate the easy stuff first (heavy metal, taking meds, gut issues, B12, abuse of alcohol or pre-existing problems like recovered from cancer, or Guillain-Barre.)

You have to keep on the doctors. I was thundering at our neurologist a week before my husband suddenly passed because I could see his circulation was compromised. They said absolutely nothing. They were clueless. Nothing would have helped but I was certain he was in a bad way. I continued researching this after he passed to find out what happened. There was no help for him but you may be much luckier--usually it is not so dire.

[violann]

Don't know if I missed this point or not, but "Idiopathic" neuropathy means that the cause of the condition cannot be identified. My father had it in hands and feet, probably heavy metal poisoning, but my aunt, who also had it in both hands and feet, was never diagnosed for a cause. They were brother and sister in law, not related by blood.

[shoppingT]

Tissy, Sorry to hear about your husband's pain. I have neuropathy in both feet, only wear comfortable shoes and take magnesium and B12. I found the reason for my pain accidentally. My son suffered with Lyme disease diagnosed by his pediatrician. Son went through a month of Doxycycline, which is what is prescribed normally. Son complained of not feeling better and insisted on seeing a Lyme Disease specialist. I jumped through hoops to find one. Son is 16. While at the Lyme specialist and helping him fill out questionnaire I noticed many of those symptoms are mine. Over the years I have been to every dr imaginable with every test you can imagine, including Lyme test. All came back normal, and I was fine. I wont bore you with more details but suggest you seek as much information you can about Lyme disease. Google Debi Gibson Lyme and watch her video and visit her website. Also Amy Tan the author. A good website for information is ILADS dot org. Lyme disease is not gender specific. It happens to men to, they just suffer the pain without complaining, so you don't hear much from them. Unless of course you are my son.

I hope your husband can find some relief and good luck on your journey.