I’ve been living with peripheral neuropathy for 21 years now, and at 61, the progression has become agonizing. The pain is constant, 24/7, and seems to intensify every month. I’m mostly confined to my home, only venturing out for medical consultations. As the condition worsened, my sleep suffered more and more. I ended up staying awake most of the night and trying to sleep during the day, so now I don’t even get up until around 3 pm. It’s the madness of this disease. My case is supposedly in the top 1% for severity, yet the only opioid I’m allowed is Tramadol, which is quite weak. A major 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that opioids are an effective choice for managing neuropathy pain, yet many physicians simply refuse to acknowledge it. If I hadn’t found Delta 8 THC gummies three years ago, I don’t think I’d still be here. They provide just enough relief to make life at home bearable. However, there’s a risk they’ll be banned by November due to a provision in the budget bill targeting hemp-derived THC. It’s absurd; it would harm so many patients and wipe out a massive industry. Regardless, I’d love to hear how PN has impacted your own sleep patterns. Thank you.
I deal with SFN and erythromelalgia, and my symptoms always peak at night, making sleep nearly impossible. Luckily, my days are manageable if I’m careful with triggers, so at least I get a bit of a break. Tramadol is useless for me, and opioids cause too much nausea. I use Lyrica instead, despite the concerns about long-term cognitive effects. I really feel for you; the nights are the hardest part.
My sleep patterns are totally ruined because of it.
If the THC is effective, I’d suggest staying away from opioids. I’ve been on them for nearly two decades to keep working for my family, but it’s really just choosing between two different versions of hell. The pain was more tolerable, or at least I cared less about it, but the side effects and the stigma are significant. I tried medical marijuana, but it turned me into a zombie, which wasn’t an option since I had to work. If it had worked for me, I would have made the switch in a heartbeat. Sleep is still difficult even with medication. Have you looked into melatonin, hydroxyzine, or just standard Benadryl?
I’ve had great luck using P.E.A. for nerve inflammation and pain. It targets the same receptors as cannabis but doesn’t get you high, and it’s perfectly legal.
I’m curious if you found the underlying cause? I’m seven years in, and the pain just keeps intensifying, especially at night. Lyrica doesn’t do much for me. I’m sorry you’re going through this. My symptoms started suddenly while I was driving—I didn’t even know what neuropathy was back then. I’m not diabetic and haven’t had chemo, but my spine is in rough shape. It’s a tough situation, but we keep going.
I have a lower back deformity and arthritis. I rely on clonazepam and a strong gummy to get any rest; otherwise, the nerve pain keeps me awake all night.
My pain went away for a bit but recently returned with a vengeance, waking me up every night. I use ice packs on the painful areas for 15 minutes and take a few hits from a CBD vape, which usually gives me 4-6 hours of relief. I also started a supplement blend with tart cherry and celery seed that helps for a few hours. It’s a constant cycle of managing pain. Doctors suggest Tramadol, but I find this natural approach more effective and safer. If they ban full-spectrum hemp, I don’t know what I’ll do.
After surviving sepsis three times, I developed worsening PN in my right foot. I’ve been on Lyrica for a decade, taking my full dose at night to get through it. I do worry about what that much Lyrica might do to my brain over time.
I’ve dealt with neuropathy for about 30 years alongside lifelong insomnia. I’m not sure if the nerve issues made the insomnia worse, but the neuropathy has certainly become more intense. I have several types and honestly don’t keep track of the specifics anymore. I’m in pain 24/7 and use THC vapes at night. I have allergies to certain terpenes and all opioids, but Nortriptyline provides some evening relief. My sleep usually depends on which area is flaring up at the moment. I mostly manage through exercise and diet, which sometimes gets me 6-8 hours of rest, but usually, it’s just 1-2 hour stretches. My neurologist warned me I’ll eventually need a wheelchair. I’m just paying the price for a very active youth.
Absolutely. After my ankle surgeries, I’d get these sharp nerve pains in my toe that would wake me up instantly. It took over a year to subside. Pregabalin has been very helpful for that and my neck pain. If my government made it impossible to get relief, I’d find my own way to manage the pain, whatever it took.
As long as I take my Lyrica and stick to a gluten-free diet, I can sleep. I missed my meds the other day and ate some wheat, and I spent the whole night crying and rubbing my legs in pain.