Peripheral neuropathy. Shit. I knew it was coming, but damn.

[blondeatlast]

The pain is miserable. I've been given Lyrica for it but I have seen no results yet (it's been less than a wekk, so).

I'm just miserable and it's making me a little depressed.

Anyone else have it? What helps you cope?

God, after all I went through last year (3 angioplasties, an endoarterectomy, now I have three stents in my freaking brain), why this, why now?

Pardon me, I just have to :cry:.

I need a hug and some words of support/wisdom/what have you.

Thanks for indulging my self-pity.

Between my wonderful husband and son and DU, I can manage to cope so far.

[Susang]

1. Hey there!

I was on Lyrica for months, it helped a lot. It just takes a couple weeks to build up, so give it some more time. It actually worked a little too well for me; I ended up delaying back surgery that I needed because it was helping keep the shooting leg pain at bay.

I know how much it can get to you. The pain hits you randomly and with no warning; there's nothing you can do about it. The hardest thing I had to come to terms with was accepting that I was going to have some bad days. I kept bemoaning the fact that I can't do all the things I used to be able to do without a second thought. It was really difficult to not be able to bend over without having to think about it first and plan how I was going to get back up. But reality, some wonderful doctors, a great husband, a doubled dose of Wellbutrin and painkillers as needed have made the transition a little easier.

Give the Lyrica a little longer, if it still isn't working your doctor may have to increase your dose. Mine slowly increased my dosage over a two week period until I was taking 300mg a day (150mg in the morning, 150mg before bed). Hope things get better for you. :hug:

[blondeatlast]

2. Thanks so much.

It's good to know the Lyrica helps, I've heard from others that they've had success with it, too.

I'll get by, I know. I consider myself very lucky to still be walking this earth after FORTY years on injected insulin!

When I get too far down, I think of that and it helps immensely.

Thanks again!

[flamingyouth]

3. I'm so sorry for what you're going through.

The pain is awful, and of course it can make you feel depressed. You've been through so much in the past year.

I second what Susang said about the Lyrica - I would give it more time and maybe ask to have the dosage adjusted.

Are you able to get into a pain clinic? My neurologist is part of a great group that offers biofeedback, which has been somewhat helpful for me (I have migraines and Trigeminal Neuralgia, plus I'm in rehab after a car accident). I'm also starting an eight-week long class next week that is geared toward stress reduction for chronic pain patients (this is all part of the pain clinic at the hospital). The PT who administers the biofeedback is teaching the course, so I'm looking forward to it.

The pain - yes, it just comes out of nowhere, like when you're grocery shopping or driving - and it can just incapacitate you. :(

I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. You're not alone, just remember that. And I'm really, really sorry for all of your pain. :hug:

[REP]

4. Yes, I Have It

The part that really sucks is that I've only been diabetic 6 years and I've always maintained an HbA1c below 7%. Just goes to show you can do everything right and still have the complications (I have very early diabetic nephropathy in addition to my primary kidney disease, too). I have it in my hands, arms and feet and I also have ulnar neuropathy which feels like being hit on the funnybone 24/7. I can't take the standard therapeutic agents due to my kidney failure so I'm stuck with narcotics, which don't really resolve nerve pain.

I've 'gotten used to it.' It still hurts, and sometimes I have a really hard time using my hands ... but that's the new normal.

I hope your therapy works.

[Warpy]

5. Go ahead and wallow. We have so few opportunities when it's

fully justified. Neuropathy is particularly maddening because you look at what is giving you fits and it's just sitting there, completely normal. So far mine tends to numbness, but I do get that occasional splinter under the toenail feeling, so I know where you're coming from.

All you want is a damn vacation, just a few hours of peace from that pain that's crowding all other thoughts out of your head.

There are other things out there that have been helpful. If the meds don't do it, ask your doc about Lidocaine patches, about TENS units, and about other therapies that can give the centrally acting drugs the boost they need.

Ask about a referral to a pain specialist if he's not up to speed on the latest treatments.

There is help and hope out there.

[REP]

6. Oh - There's Elavil, Too

I'm on it primarily for something else (migraine) but it's supposed to help with peripheral neuropathy. Haven't stopped taking it to see if the nerve pain gets worse!

[blondeatlast]

7. Wow--I owe you all a great big cyberhug!

:hug:

The Lyrica seems to be kicking in already and I'm starting to function much more like myself.

After my TIA last year, I swore to myself I wasn't going to stop enjoying myself and I won't let this get me down either.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It's amazing how helpful it is just to know I'm not alone in this.

DU has been a lifesaver. I often think of why it was created and think I wish it didn't have to be--but I've made so many good friends on it I'm glad it was created.

[Susang]

8. I'm glad things are getting a little better

Hope it keeps up! :hi:

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Well, Continued Hugs Are Coming Your Way

The folks on this little group can sympathize and empathize fully. You take care, and never surrender!
The Professor

[flamingyouth]

10. I'm so glad you're starting to feel better.

That is great news! :)