Anyone suffer from neuropathy, particularly in the feet?

[dianne]

I have a friend who is suffering terribly with neuropathy in her feet. She recently found out she is diabetic is and doing an amazing job controlling it with her diet but doctors don’t think it was caused by the diabetes. She barely sleeps, has been on all kinds of drugs, including prednisone and methotrexate (which is chemotherapy), and currently trying to treat with Humira. She has been on prednisone for a year so doctor is trying to wean her off of it but the results have been disastrous. She has seen many doctors, including a rheumatologist and a neurologist….and she’s had the test where they put needles in your legs and feet and send currents of electricity which provides some sort of measurement…but dtr said she didn’t have nerve damage that is severe enough to be measured by this test. She’s had an MRI of her spine, too.

I have never seen anyone have so much foot pain. She can’t stand, walk, or even lie down (bed linen hurts) without pain. On top of that she has bone spurs throughout her feet which is just the icing on the cake. Finding shoes is a nightmare. This has been going on for at least 2 years. Anyone know of an alternative remedy or have any ideas or suggestions….anything you can share may be something she hasn’t tried. I just want to cry for her sometimes . Thanks so much!

 

[Pandora II]

Lamotrigine might work for her - I have very bad nerve pain in my legs and feet from spinal problems and it was a miracle drug for me (in combo with serious opiates though). It only works for about 20% of people though...

 

[atroop711]

I suffer from RSD in my left foot which is kind of like Neuropathy (but with more things going on). Has your friend seen a pain mgmt specialist? I'm not sure if nerve blocks will help but I had about 10-15 nerve blocks done in my back for my sympathetic nerve and it finally put me in remission. It took time and I still get flare ups but I'm able to live day to day without that horrible burning, stabbing pain in my foot. It also helped with my swelling, color and blood flow to my foot.

BTW it's been said that stress aggravates both of these conditions. I know it's hard not to stress when you are in pain but you do what you have to

 

[Linda W]

I take Neurontin for nerve pain in my legs and feet, it really helps me.

 

[dianne]

Thanks so much for the suggestions and I am passing along to her immediately. I am so sorry that all of you have to suffer this type of pain.

atroop: You know, come to think of it, I''m not so sure she has seen a pain managment specialist. Well, there''s another suggestion, too!

Thanks to all!!

 

[MsP]

I have neuropathic pain and weakness in my legs and feet... I''ve been on neurontin and lyrica, some opoids, as well as prednisone. At one point, I was taking 14 pills a day.

Consider acupuncture.

 

[Pandora II]

Acupuncture is well worth a try.

Neurontin did nothing for me - but lots of people find it good so also worth giving a go.

I have seen more pain management specialists than I care to remember and they have ranged from great (the current one) to completely useless (the last 3) so can be worth getting second opinions. Most of those I saw wanted to stick me on oxycodone which I thought was nuts as did my GP...

 

[dianne]

This is wonderful having some different options for her to discuss with her doctor. Thanks so much, everyone!