Neuropathy

[Topcat23]

Hi can anyone help please!
I have recently started to suffer from diabetic neuropathy. Gabapentin & amitriptyline aren’t helping despite increasing the dose I have tried vaporub, aspirin, ibuprofen, deep heat, ice gel, Epsom salts without any improvement. I’m hardly sleeping at night & in pain constantly. My GP says there is nothing else they can give me. I may be accepted into a trial but waiting to hear.
Can anyone recommend anything that will help with the pain? I just want to sit & cry as I can’t get any relief from it thanks

 

[Lilian]

There are some studies (ongoing or having been done) to show that B12 can help with neuropathy. I should imagine it would need high doses initially. As Vitamin B12 is water soluble, if you have more than your body needs it is just past out in the urine. There are always the odd few that can have too much though. Has your doctor tested your B12? Unless it is high in the range you might try buying some good B12 supplements, but give it a while to work. If it is low in the range, maybe your doctor will give you a course of injections to increase it.

 

[Tee G]

Hi @Topcat23. So sorry to hear of your distress. My mother suffered greatly with this affliction. She found a hot water bottle at night comforting, and insisted on no heavy bedding over her legs. Sometimes a pillow under the foot helped her too. Ankle exercises were useful especially as she became bedridden (in her 80's) - she also found if she laid off her stronger painkillers for a day or two then re-started them, she got a bit more relief. But i have to say painkillers for chronic conditions dont have a perfect track record. I found this website (dont know if it will be of any use to you, but it may throw up an idea or two for you to try?) I hope you get some respite. Please let us know how you fair.

Management & Care | the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy

Discover useful suggestions to help with neuropathy management including self care tips, quitting smoking, and how to sleep with peripheral neuropathy.

www.foundationforpn.org

 

[Topcat23]

Hi @Topcat23. So sorry to hear of your distress. My mother suffered greatly with this affliction. She found a hot water bottle at night comforting, and insisted on no heavy bedding over her legs. Sometimes a pillow under the foot helped her too. Ankle exercises were useful especially as she became bedridden (in her 80's) - she also found if she laid off her stronger painkillers for a day or two then re-started them, she got a bit more relief. But i have to say painkillers for chronic conditions dont have a perfect track record. I found this website (dont know if it will be of any use to you, but it may throw up an idea or two for you to try?) I hope you get some respite. Please let us know how you fair.

Management & Care | the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy

Discover useful suggestions to help with neuropathy management including self care tips, quitting smoking, and how to sleep with peripheral neuropathy.

www.foundationforpn.org

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry you mum suffered too. I have used a hot water bottle but may try one of the new long bottles out now. I will look at the website you mentioned!
Thank you!

 

[Flower]

Have you been prescribed Duloxetine for neuropathic pain? I did use it some years back and found some drugs worked better than others in reducing pain. I hope you’re able to find some relief as it is very painful and really does limit sleep.

 

[Topcat23]

Have you been prescribed Duloxetine for neuropathic pain? I did use it some years back and found some drugs worked better than others in reducing pain. I hope you’re able to find some relief as it is very painful and really does limit sleep.

No I take amitriptyline which has been increased to 3 tablets at night. Thank you!

 

[TinaP]

Hi Topcat23
I have very painful feet, legs, hands and bowel neuropathy which I take 90mg Duloxetine and 50mg Amitriptyline a day. The pain in my feet is still there but not as bad but have been told by my GP i could increase Duloxetine to 120mg in the near future if need to. I find night time worse and stay down stairs on the setteeso my husband can get some sleep because I can't stay still. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have on this subject but ask GP for Duloxetine.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Really sorry to hear you are struggling with neuropathy @Topcat23 - it can be very difficult, and there aren’t that many pharma options.

What are your BG levels and variability like? I remember a member with neuropathy many years ago used to post that their neuropathy was much more painful with elevated and more erratic BG.

What methods or meds do you use to try to keep your diabetes behaving?

 

[Topcat23]

Hi Topcat23
I have very painful feet, legs, hands and bowel neuropathy which I take 90mg Duloxetine and 50mg Amitriptyline a day. The pain in my feet is still there but not as bad but have been told by my GP i could increase Duloxetine to 120mg in the near future if need to. I find night time worse and stay down stairs on the setteeso my husband can get some sleep because I can't stay still. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have on this subject but ask GP for Duloxetine.

I will have to go back to my gp because I honestly can’t function with the pain & lack of sleep so will ask about duloxetine also about my b12. I’ve slept in the spare room for the same reason as you! Mine is worse at night too. Thank you for your reply!

 

[Topcat23]

Really sorry to hear you are struggling with neuropathy @Topcat23 - it can be very difficult, and there aren’t that many pharma options.

What are your BG levels and variability like? I remember a member with neuropathy many years ago used to post that their neuropathy was much more painful with elevated and more erratic BG.

What methods or meds do you use to try to keep your diabetes behaving?

They are very stable now all under double figures. I haven’t been well & they were out of control for a while but my insulin was changed & metformin taken off me. I have novo rapid afternoon meals & lanctus at night.

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @Topcat23 really sorry you are having trouble with DPN I have to agree with @Flower & @TinaP, Duloxetine is a real help. I know we are all individual and what suits one may not suit another but it really helped me, it will not stop it altogether but gives a great deal more relief. Yes night time is worse but please do not use any form of hot water bottle next to your skin/feet, I have a hypothermal blanket issued by the hospital and have two light blankets on top of it. It maybe helpful if your Dr can refer you to Neurology for an assessment which may include an MRI scan and electrical nerve conductivity tests, the Duloxetine takes a while to kick in and patients are usually started on 30mg or 60mg I am on 60mg but it can be increased if needs be.

I am also on Gabapentin too 2700mg per day and feel along with the Duloxetine gives me better control of my DPN and my feet are checked every six weeks by the Podiatry department. I see from your post your BGLs levels are under control which is crucial to the management of DPN, your next port of call is back to the Docs and ask about the Duloxetine and a referral to the Neurologist. Do not put over the counter medication on your feet other than a good quality moisturiser but do not put it between your toes as it puts you at risk of infection. I hope this helps it won`t happen over night but if you can relay to your Dr how you feel or even speak with your Diabetes hospital team who may encourage the doctor to give you a prescription for Duloxetine and send you for tests. Please take care it will eventually become sustainable for you once you medication is sorted. {{{HUGS}}}

 

[Rezzonator]

Try the CBD oil, it helps me.