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Treatment options that have worked for Small Fiber Neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: Apr 20 2:04pm | Replies (106)

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@julbpat

Wow, you sound like me. Somehow I’ve maintained some sort of optimism about life in general, even though I live with constant pain, and the activities I love have dropped away one by one. Facebook Memories is great for reminding me of this. Here I am two years ago, hiking with a group, with a joyful smile! Here I am 20 pounds lighter, with no permanently drawn brows from constant worry and pain! My career ended prematurely. My finances are in disarray.
But depression and hopelessness don’t seem like a good option for me. Because then what would I do?
As far as pain control, please read my story about Tegretol (carbamazepine). Probably because of the type of length-dependent small fiber neuropathy I have, it works for the burning pain when nothing else did. It’s a different seizure medication. My story is kind of interesting.
I also have Percocet 7.5 mg, my dose is 1/2 pill up to three times per day. It helps. I don’t give a flying flip if long- term opioid use is a bad idea. It helps my overall pain and gives me a break.

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Replies to "Wow, you sound like me. Somehow I’ve maintained some sort of optimism about life in general,..."

memyselfi | @memyselfi | Apr 1 9:28am

Hi.

Thanks for the reply. I get you about the activities dropping away one by one. Skiing? Backpacking? Long walks or day hikes? The first two no way now. The last two...well I'm going to have to be realistic about the pain I'm going to have to beat down in my mind, and the amount of times I'm probably going to have to stop and let my feet cool down.

I'm reminded about that Hemingway line about how a character went bankrupt when it comes to how my PN set in for me..."Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly." As I said before in a post, I didn't know what was happening to me gradually, or where it was leading., or even what this condition was. Then one day it took up permanent residency in me. Just like that.

I'm still working as a teacher and coach, but I seriously wonder how much longer I can last. I steel my mind for the day/week ahead knowing that my discomfort and pain will be there and that it will spike at times to levels that will make me dizzy from it. It's kind of strange what happens to me on Saturdays, one of my days off. I'm somewhat of an invalid that day who doesn't even want to get off the couch. Almost as soon as I let down that steely mindset (and boy do I want to), I suddenly realize how much mental and emotional stamina I expended to get through the week.

I've got to find your story about Tegretol. And at some point I wonder what type of meds I will try to mitigate the pain and make life more enjoyable for me. As it is, I baby-stepped my way up to taking even Lyrica.