1. < Neuropathy

Anyone had swelling of ankles/feet and calves with neuropathy?

Posted by kevinversace55 @kevinversace55, Feb 3 9:27am

I had a cervical laminectomy and fusion Of C3 to C5 and now have neuropathy that started in my feet within the first two weeks after the surgery and has continually gotten worse and now has gone all the way to my knees. Burning, tingling, and some numbness, Neurologist has done nothing but meds. Gabapentin and lacosamide and no relief found yet. Currently trying infrared lights and just walking. I really don't know what to do and who to see but I surely do need some relief from this. All surgeon that did the op says is its residual nerve damage from the op. ??? Any info and suggestions will be appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 3 10:51am

Hello Kevin - Did you see @jenniferhunter's question in response to your earlier post here? - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1003254/. I also responded to your response to me in the same discussion and shared a link to the Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1003044/.

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Sophie46 | @sophie46 | Feb 3 11:52am

I have neuropathy in my feet after having my third back fusion. I found Alpha Lipoic Acid taken regularly worked for a while and I do still take it. I now wear compression socks and these have worked well.

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lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | Feb 3 2:06pm

kevinversace55,
I also developed neuropathy after surgery. It is NOT normal to have nerve damage after surgery. Residual nerve damage? Bah Humbug. Surgeon screws up and makes like it just happens. My neuropathy gives me severe foot throbbing and the only thing that really helps alleviate it is Benfotiamine, a fat soluble form of Vitamin B1, and Kratom which I take only when the pain strikes. I buy Benfotiamine on Amazon and Kratom at ethanaturals.com I would want to shoot myself, I swear, if it were not for Kratom. It works on nerve pain and I have found it to be the only thing that takes away pain within about 15 minutes and lasts for many hours. Good luck with this bitch of a disease. I pray that yours goes away with time. LoriRenee1

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1 reply
Judyinjeans. | @judyingenes | Feb 3 9:06pm

I swear, they call everything Neuropathy these days! If they don’t know what you have… if it just might have something to do with nerves…golly geez guys I don’t know what it is so it must be Neuropathy!
Well, Doc, what can be done about it?
So your doctor says to himself, “Hell if I know but I will throw a bunch of stuff at you one at a time and if something helps Whooo Hoo, good for me. If not I’ll keep throwing until you get another doctor and start all over.”
To you they say a bunch of medical mumble jumbo, throw some pills at you and if you are real lucky, send you to a PT. Does this help? Maybe, probably not.
Sound cynical? Yup!! Been there!!
Hope you have better luck…

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 4 8:01am
In reply to @judyingenes "I swear, they call everything Neuropathy these days! If they don’t know what you have… if..." + (show)
@judyingenes

I swear, they call everything Neuropathy these days! If they don’t know what you have… if it just might have something to do with nerves…golly geez guys I don’t know what it is so it must be Neuropathy!
Well, Doc, what can be done about it?
So your doctor says to himself, “Hell if I know but I will throw a bunch of stuff at you one at a time and if something helps Whooo Hoo, good for me. If not I’ll keep throwing until you get another doctor and start all over.”
To you they say a bunch of medical mumble jumbo, throw some pills at you and if you are real lucky, send you to a PT. Does this help? Maybe, probably not.
Sound cynical? Yup!! Been there!!
Hope you have better luck…

Jump to this post

And that is why we have to be our own advocate and learn as much as we can about our condition and the treatments that are available that might help 🙃

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1 reply
Judyinjeans. | @judyingenes | Feb 4 12:05pm
In reply to @johnbishop "And that is why we have to be our own advocate and learn as much as..." + (show)
@johnbishop

And that is why we have to be our own advocate and learn as much as we can about our condition and the treatments that are available that might help 🙃

Jump to this post

Exactly John! And we are so very lucky to have this venue to give and receive information.

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kevinversace55 | @kevinversace55 | Apr 9 10:44am

I had earlier post but want to be more specific. Had a posterior cervical laminectomy with multilevel fusion on 2/11/20. Started feeling neuropathy in feet in first week after surgery in my feet. Since then it has continually increased and worsened since then. continuous burning in my feet and now all the way up to my knees. Ankles and calves swollen. I am on gabapentin, lacosomide, doing red light therapy which doesn't seem to have much effect. Doctor has been no help so far. I need some advice and help.

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4 replies
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Apr 9 10:59pm
In reply to @kevinversace55 "I had earlier post but want to be more specific. Had a posterior cervical laminectomy with..." + (show)
@kevinversace55

I had earlier post but want to be more specific. Had a posterior cervical laminectomy with multilevel fusion on 2/11/20. Started feeling neuropathy in feet in first week after surgery in my feet. Since then it has continually increased and worsened since then. continuous burning in my feet and now all the way up to my knees. Ankles and calves swollen. I am on gabapentin, lacosomide, doing red light therapy which doesn't seem to have much effect. Doctor has been no help so far. I need some advice and help.

Jump to this post

What doctors have you talked with about neuropathy? Some doctors just want to prescribe the traditional medications like Gabapentin and Cymbalta and Lyrica, but a good neurologist can offer quite a few options. I've seen 3 pain specialists, 2 or 3 neurologists, a pain therapist, and a PCP, each of whom had a list of things to try. Sometimes it takes a couple of medications that work together.

My burning pain is in my feet and ankles, working its way up. Right now my feet have been swollen because of bilateral Achilles tendon ruptures from Levofloxacin. I'm still waiting for surgery, 3 months since it happened. Hopefully the swelling will go down after the tendon transfers.

Have you tried other medications beside Gabapentin? Everyone is different - what works for you might do nothing for me. Keep advocating for yourself, and find doctors who will listen and have options to offer you.

Jim

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kevinversace55 | @kevinversace55 | Apr 10 7:44am
In reply to @kevinversace55 "I had earlier post but want to be more specific. Had a posterior cervical laminectomy with..." + (show)
@kevinversace55

I had earlier post but want to be more specific. Had a posterior cervical laminectomy with multilevel fusion on 2/11/20. Started feeling neuropathy in feet in first week after surgery in my feet. Since then it has continually increased and worsened since then. continuous burning in my feet and now all the way up to my knees. Ankles and calves swollen. I am on gabapentin, lacosomide, doing red light therapy which doesn't seem to have much effect. Doctor has been no help so far. I need some advice and help.

Jump to this post

Thanks Jim, I will confer with my Doctor about medications, As far as the swelling That is stll a mystery, I am planning on seeing a cardiologist. I really not sure but my swelling into my calves also. So we will see I guess.
I will repost later hopefully with good news.

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