I have significant numbness in both feet, though my right foot is roughly 20% worse. It is something I feel every single moment I’m awake. The tingling becomes even more noticeable when I’m trying to sleep at night.
I’m losing my confidence in being able to handle daily life because of this, so I’ve scheduled an appointment with a neurologist. Are there any other medications besides gabapentin that actually work? Also, are there any types of injections that might provide relief?
Numbness and actual pain are different sensations. There are several painkillers available, including some that are administered via injection. I’ve been using tramadol for about five months since my neuropathy began, as I used to wake up in the middle of the night screaming from the pain. If you want to get your pain under control, you might look for a palliative care specialist; they focus specifically on managing pain for serious conditions and are experts in medication options.
I’ve been dealing with neuropathy in both feet for nearly a year now. Gabapentin didn’t help me, so I switched to 100mg of Lyrica three times a day, which is only slightly better. Generally speaking, standard painkillers like NSAIDs don’t do much for nerve pain. Recently, my neurologist’s office suggested taking 600mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) twice a day. You can get ALA over the counter on Amazon. I haven’t seen a huge difference yet, but they told me it takes a while to build up in your system. They also mentioned combining a low-dose antidepressant with the ALA and Lyrica, though I haven’t tried that yet. My doctor also provided a custom topical cream I just started. As you’ll find out, neuropathy is usually a permanent condition that doesn’t fully go away, so it’s about finding a management plan. There isn’t one specific product or pill that works for everyone, so keep reading and trying different options to see what helps you most.
Give 5% menthol patches a try. They really help me out. I place them vertically along my spine because they are supposed to confuse the nerve signals. I’ve used more than one in a single day and have even worn them while sleeping.
Does anyone have information on low-dose naltrexone, red light therapy, PEMF machines, or saunas? They are all supposed to assist with mitochondrial repair and prevent the loss of blood flow and function that causes extreme pain and temperature issues. In my case, my toes feel like they are freezing. This has been going on since last July. I tried Scrambler therapy last week, which helps retrain the brain to ignore the pain. It was $3750 for 10 sessions and isn’t covered by insurance. Ketamine infusions are another expensive out-of-pocket option. This peripheral neuropathy is a total nightmare. I hope we can keep supporting each other. I’ve tried all the supplements mentioned, but I haven’t tried those strips yet. Any other advice would be very welcome!
Have you tried taking magnesium citrate to see if it eases the symptoms? It has helped in my situation.
Has anyone else had a bad experience with Mirapex? I was on a combination of gabapentin, carbidopa-levodopa, and Mirapex for two years. I would sometimes double or triple the Mirapex dose to stop the foot pain, but I started having dangerous side effects. One time I fell asleep while driving. I also think I fell asleep while standing up, which caused me to fall and break my back. Has anyone else had severe side effects from it?
Check out Dr. Joel’s Extra Strength Neuropathy Hemp Cream on Amazon for about $30. It works for some people but not others, but I think it’s great!
I went to Johns Hopkins because my neuropathy is linked to a rare disease. The doctor there said treatment depends on the specific cause and symptoms. For example, Alpha Lipoic Acid is usually for diabetic neuropathy, which I don’t have. Gabapentin and Lyrica aren’t options for me because my main issue is balance rather than pain, and those would make me more likely to fall. I manage my symptoms with Advil, heating pads, and keeping my feet up. I’m starting physical therapy next week for my balance and general weakness.
Several people in my family have Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). I’ve been tested twice and both were negative, even though my symptoms are getting worse. My calf muscles have basically disappeared over the last year. I realized recently that I can’t even stand on my tiptoes to reach things in the kitchen. I’m really struggling with my balance. I started PT a few months ago, which helps, but the therapists only seem to give me hip and butt exercises. When I mention my calves, they suggest things I physically cannot do, so I’ve had to find my own exercises to do at home. It’s so frustrating to know what it isn’t, but still have no idea what is actually happening to me.
Numbness is just a reality of the nerve damage; it’s permanent and usually just declines over time. However, the pain aspects do have some treatment paths. I was diagnosed 15 years ago when I was 56. It isn’t related to diabetes, as nearly half of these cases have no known cause. My neurologist told me I’d need a cane by age 65, but I’m almost 72 now and still don’t need one. My balance isn’t great, but I function okay, I just can’t stand for as long as I used to. I’ve also been using Nervala to help support my nerve health lately. It’s frustrating that there has been so little progress in finding better treatments.
I was never a heavy drinker, and I haven’t had a drink in over a year now. I used to spend a lot of time sitting, but I really don’t know how I ended up with this. The doctors don’t have a clue either. It’s a total bummer living with this condition.
Hello everyone. Without listing every symptom, I’ve found a routine that works for me. I take 600mg of gabapentin, which handles about 75% of the pain, and then I apply a Tiger Balm patch. It works all night, and I put a new one on in the morning. It’s been a godsend, managing about 90% of the pain that goes from my foot up my shin. As a side note, I dislocated my ankle last year and had surgery, and the pain wouldn’t stop. I used the Tiger Balm patch on my swollen ankle and the swelling and most of the pain went away overnight. Good luck to everyone; I know what you’re going through.
Get some testing done, then you will actually know what’s going on.