[eclein]

Yep.....gotta stay positive, its too easy to give up..I'm not going to give up

[srb]

National Institue of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet
  - What treatments are available?
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm#171313208
 
"Quitting smoking is particularly important because smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves and can worsen  neuropathic symptoms."
 
Steve

[eclein]

Yep...and as of yesterday we are working on finding a local smoking cessation program where I can get patch or alternative--motivation is there now. How are you doing Steve??? Good to read ya!!!

[Wayner]

I have hereditary Neuropathy of the feet and it is always there. It's the feet tingle, slight numbness thing. I've been told that this is a factor of DNA, but I've also been told that smoking or being an ex-smoker is experiencing this as a long term side effect to cigarette smoking.

There are good days and bad days, but I haven't made a connection to what may make one day good or another day bad, except for a good night's sleep.

I have a nice battery operated pillow that I sometimes put my feet on, and this does seem to help, for a while.

Wayner

[JRace]

I have 2nd-hand experience with nerve pain, my wife has been suffering from chronic nerve pain (Thoracic outlet syndrome) for 6yrs, brought upon by a botched surgery to improve shoulder issues that plagued her for 4yrs prior.

She now lives with constant pain, and the worst part of it all, it took 3 specialists and 4yrs before she was diagnosed. Nothing like living with an invisible problem and having all the dr's tell you "its just in your head".

Stay strong and positive ED.

[jackman]

Yep...and as of yesterday we are working on finding a local smoking cessation program where I can get patch or alternative--motivation is there now. How are you doing Steve??? Good to read ya!!!

Best of luck quitting smoking.  I smoked for years and can sympathise with how difficult it is to quit.  It's easier if no other people in your house smoke. 

You may want to start a thread about your progress quitting smokes.  Maybe your experience can help other people in the same situation.  Good luck!

[eclein]

Well... I really feel "AWESOME"the doctor wasn't there but his PA was and the kid was sharp and open and we had discussion about whats going on and the options he felt would be good he even asked what I thought would be good, that is a first. They raised up the dose of Percoset to 15MG and changed it to Oxycodone so no more Tylenol, Kept the MS Contin for now and also added Methadone 10Mg 3 X day.

 Yep--I said what you just said having read that...Methadone apparently works very well managing the pain associated with Peripheral Nueropothy and it time for me to look at this for what it is, I'm hurting bigtime and not in the pain little league anymore so I need better stuff...we shall see.

 Funny thing is I was so afraid he'd try the old "recovering alcoholic guy better be careful, lets just put him on Aspirin to be safe" thing that I never considered the other alternative- adding a major, upping a minor andletting the other stay at current dose.
 So I'm moving so, so much better, appetite is back and the pain has been pushed back pretty far, its still noticeable but I can type, move a bit better and have time between doses to hopefully get some sleep before the pain or need to medicate wakes me....Big step forward...phew...

[rpf]

Really great news, Ed! 

[satfrat]

When it comes to painful nerve damage, there is no cure as far as I know(at least for diabetic foot neurophopy), there is only controlling the pain. I'm glad to hear the new med mix is finally working Ed, hope they'll continue to improve the quality of your life. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[eclein]

What a tremendous difference...hang in there everybody and have a great weekend!!!

[starkiller]

Stumbled across this thread as I was skimming the forum.  Glad to hear things are going better for you Ed   Sounds like you finally found some folks that can really help you out and almost more importantly LISTEN to you!

I have diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its no fun.  Nothing like what you are experiencing but not nice at all. Doing the gabapentin and metformin thing and while they help they don't always agree with the stomach, even with food.  And like you mentioned, my grip is failing also.  Sometimes have to get my wife to open things and stuff   I also trip alot so have to be careful.    It probably wouldnt be so bad if there was not also a bunch of other things going on that have been affecting me in an emotional way.  :sigh:, tis fun getting old isnt it

Hang in there!