Neuropathy pain in my left foot and lower left legs

Hi @robertlclark Welcome to Connect! Neuropathy and laminectomy are two hot topics on Connect right now, so you are in a good place 🙂 I'd recommend you check out these two threads: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/ and https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/laminectomy-recovery/. I believe you'll find answers to some of your questions from other members and if not, feel free to follow up with questions on those threads since people who have actively commented there will then be alerted. Hope this helps!

Mine is a little different, but the same idea. Stenosis- full length of spine, diabetes, protein deposit disease, cancer, etc. About all I can say aloud is that self hypnosis is about the only thing that works, and that only about 10% of the time. The rest of the time I just try to bear it, and scream a little. Or a lot. I go psychotic with opiates. I can not blame the doctors, and they only seem to ignore the pain (it feels that way, anyway). So about twice a day I scream at the television or the big b anks. This morning I felt as if I had stuck a steel needle in my eye. I screamed at a dog who died 50 years ago.

?I have burning and tingling in my lower right leg. Have had 2 lumbar surgeries (fusions) that helped, but the problem has not gone away completely. I don't know if there is any remedy. I'm reluctant to take drugs (Lyrica, gabapentin). I did take gabapentin before my most recent surgery but it didn't really help. I'm planned to make an appointment with my neurosurgeon soon to see if anything more can be done.<br>

Hi Cheryl, your situation sounds identical to mine. I do take Gabapentin and it helps some along with topical cream. Johns Hopkins and UVA Charlottsville says it is something I have to live with. Some days are worst than others but I also exercise and do things to keep
My mind off the pain. Please keep in touch and I hope you can become pain free. Bob

?What kind of topical crea, do you use?<br><br>

Hi Cheryl,<br><br>I use an OTC pain relieving foot cream by MagniLife that is available in most drug stores and on Amazon.com. I also use a prescription cream compound that contains iBuprofin, Gabapentin, Diofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, Tetracaine, and Ethoxy Diglycol. I get it from Summerton Drug Compounding, 115 B Main St., Summerton, SC 29148. My insurance won't pay for this prescription.<br><br>Please let me know if any of this helps you and please have a good week.<br><br>Bob<br><br>

?Thanks, Bob, and I hope you have a good week too.<br><br>

Robertclark - I have not had any side effects from being on the patch. I've been on it, I think, four years now and it still works great. My most recent back surgery in January 2016, seems like it might have helped some of my neuropathy. I'm going to try coming off of it. I just came down to 75 mcg/hr from the 100 mcg/hr. I'll be on that for three months, and if I'm still doing okay I'll drop down to 50 mcg/hr. We'll have to see how things go. The only probably I might have, is that the patch helps with my restless arm syndrome. And I'm afraid if I go off the patch it will get worse. The usual meds for Restless Leg/Arm syndrome like Requip and Mirapex don't work for me.

I have been trying to find a med for peripheral neuropathy pain for several years. I've taken everything on the list, and am trying the last one, Cymbalta. I don't think it's helping. Reactions to Lyrica put me in the hospital for a few days, and none of the others have reduced the burning pain in both feet. I don't want to have the spinal cord stimulator implanted because it would mean no MRI. I don't know what else to do. I have an appointment with the pain specialist next week, and I might have to go back to taking Morphine sulfate contin, which I weaned off to give Cymbalta a chance. The constant pain makes my depression and anxiety worse, and interferes with my sleep. Beside Cymbalta, I take Bupropion, Clonazepam, Percocet as needed, muscle relaxer for restless legs, Claritin, Benadryl, Prilosec, and various vitamins. Any suggestions?

Hello @jimhd. I read you post with interest as my wife also had terrible pain in her feet and lower legs during her fight with cancer. I am no doctor, nor am I medically trained at all, however as her longtime caregiver I can say she finally was able to find some relief through her use of gabapentin.

Peace and strength