RE: Drop FOOT
I have had idopathic PN ''Non-Diabetic for going on 10 yrs. Started in my right foot but moved to the left foot where it has become the problem side for me. The doctors tested me and the left side was considerable (severer). I've been to three specialists who were all different and each tried their own remedies for pain. The first tried a blood pressure ciloztasol medication. It actually worked for a while. This med centers on providing more blood flow to the lower extremities. AFTER still having pain he lost interest in me. The second specialist focused on Gabapentin and got me up to 1800 mg whereupon I became cognitively an idiot. He told me he was moving and recommeded me elsewhere. Third doctor put me on pregabalin (lydocaine) and was reluctant to change my doseage..he slowly got me up to 50 mg morning and night. I still had severe pain in my left foot. Starting with drop foot. My regular MD saw this and we talked. She suggested 50 mg in early am, 50 mg early pm and 75 mg at bedtime. This helped...so much for specialist. She also recommended that I see a back specialist. He detected an area of spinal stenosis that he thought needed attention. Saw a specialist in microsurgery (Vanderbilt) who agreed with the diagnosis. He performed microsurgery on the stenosis. Happily afterwards with rehab I have a left side that hurts just like the right side with no drop foot. You might want to try a spinal specialist to see if you have spinal stenosis, Just my experience and I hope it might help people in a similar situation. Steve PS I am still on the prescription from my regular MD. She seems to have a more holistic perspective which has given me more ( partial) relief. I've tried all the meds etc. Now I also use my own prescription of essential oils with lydocaine. (posted this previously under creams when my pain gets excessive)