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Neuropathy pain and depression: Anyone find help and enjoy life again?

Posted by cecelia19 @cecelia19, Sep 25 1:23am

I don’t know what is worse - the pain or the ensuing depression. I am taking Gabapentin and amitriptyline for the pain and the latter is supposed to help with depression but it doesn’t. I have panic and crying jags every day that go on for an hour or sometimes two. A small dose of Ativan is sometimes needed for that to stop. I’m scheduled to see a psychologist in a couple weeks but right now this sense of hopelessness is overwhelming me. I try to get interested in my hobbies to distract me but nothing is working. I have a wonderful support system and that helps tremendously yet I feel very alone in my suffering. I wish there was some kind of support group in my area but there is not. Does anyone have any suggestions, something that has helped them in respect to this? Has anyone ever been this low, come out the other side and is enjoying life again?

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

solobeee1 | @solobeee1 | Sep 27 8:02am
In reply to @cecelia19 "Does your neurologist prescribe LDN? I feel hopeful that you have found something for the pain...." + (show)
@cecelia19

Does your neurologist prescribe LDN? I feel hopeful that you have found something for the pain. I will be going to a major medical center - waiting for them to call me with an appointment date - and they can prescribe that for me as my neurologist doesn’t prescribe it.

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Yes, my neurologist does prescribe the LDN & then I get it compounded at my PUBLIX pharmacy in Florida to 4,5mg.
Pain management doctors also prescribe it.

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2 replies
26sabrina | @26sabrina | Sep 27 11:39am
In reply to @cecelia19 "I love your advice and you said it so well, what I am feeling about what..." + (show)
@cecelia19

I love your advice and you said it so well, what I am feeling about what I no longer have. I will try and focus on the I cans. I can pick up my guitar again. I learned later in life and it has always brought me so much pleasure yet I’ve been too depressed to play but I will do something about that. I will be thankful that I don’t have a disease that has robbed me of my manual dexterity so I can still play. I love to read and have to be thankful that my vision is still good.
We had to say good-bye to our beloved 17 year old Yorkie last spring and I am still mourning her as well as the loss of my health. I want to add “I can” to petting a dog again and have actually been actively searching our local shelters for a small, adult or senior dog but they are adopted quickly. I think I need her even more than she would need me.
Thank you again for your kind advice and positive message that I will most definitely take to heart.

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My new neurologist found that I had B6 toxicity, so I have not taken it for about 2 months. She also started me on Nortripyline, starting on 10 mg progressing 10 mg a week until 50 mg. As I mentioned, I have been on this course about 2 months and my pain and burning has decreased dramatically. I suffered severe pain for 8 years, so I had to find a way to live life. I prayed a lot and learned through a lot of research groups helping with "radical acceptance" and I committed to going to the gym twice a week. My workouts started slowly as I could tolerate. All this has helped me not only deal with the neuropathy but with my whole life.
I hope this helps someone🙏

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cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Sep 27 2:52pm
In reply to @solobeee1 "Yes, my neurologist does prescribe the LDN & then I get it compounded at my PUBLIX..." + (show)
@solobeee1

Yes, my neurologist does prescribe the LDN & then I get it compounded at my PUBLIX pharmacy in Florida to 4,5mg.
Pain management doctors also prescribe it.

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Thank you so much. I see now that I may have to go elsewhere to get this.

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jan64 | @jan64 | Sep 28 8:25am
In reply to @cecelia19 "Thanks so much, Debbie. You totally get it. My husband is suffering seeing me in this..." + (show)
@cecelia19

Thanks so much, Debbie. You totally get it. My husband is suffering seeing me in this state so for his sake, and I guess for my own, I’m trying to pull myself together. Even those close to us, though, can’t really understand what this is like to live with. A close friend recently chastised me for finally going ahead with taking Gabapentin and using a THC/CBD topical. This only adds to my depression. As you said, the help from others on Mayo Clinic Connect is truly priceless. Thank you for your kind response and I am rooting for you too and will take your advice on how to deal with this to heart.

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I have read comments from people shunning the gabapentin and implying that people who take it are weak (not on this site, thankfully). I can only say that they have not walked a mile in my shoes. I have extreme burning in feet, legs, hands, arms, and my entire spine. I could not function without it. It took over 6 weeks to get the right dosage (1800), and I still have pain. I understand how your friend made you feel, but there is no shame in using whatever helps you live better.

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babse | @babse | Sep 28 12:08pm
In reply to @cecelia19 "Like you, I rely on my faith and prayers. I will be praying for you for..." + (show)
@cecelia19

Like you, I rely on my faith and prayers. I will be praying for you for relief of your pain and getting disability. From what I understand, often you are turned down the first time but always try again and that is usually successful so continue to pursue it. Years ago I had a year like yours - in a 13 month period I had ankle tendon surgery, open heart surgery for a blown mitral valve, a blood clot in my leg, a breast biopsy (my 6th) and abdominal oophorectomy for suspected ovarian cancer. I’m a senior now and what is giving me hope for my PN is knowing that things always turn around. That year taught me that. Reflecting on that helps me to realize that one day I’ll get through this trial too. And so will you. Prayers going your way.

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My best to you. I have been through neuropathy everywhere on my body except my face. I felt hopeless from the awful pain and longed for the tingling and burning to stop. I felt like electric shocks were attacking me. Finally I decided that staying busy and not spending time feeling the pain would help. Incidentally I have advanced Multiple Sclerosis and live with chronic pain for which I was finally treated. A big help. Anyway, staying busy has made an enormous difference in my life. My heart goes out to you. My best

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avalyn | @avalyn | Sep 28 11:26pm

Wellbutrin has been a lifesaver for me. (bupropion is generic, I guess that’s all they make now) we are all different chemically, but none of the serotonin-uptake antidepressants worked before this wonder drug. Don’t give up.

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cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Sep 29 1:51am

Thank you SO MUCH! I need to address my depression as much as my pain.

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babse | @babse | Sep 29 6:25pm
In reply to @avalyn "Wellbutrin has been a lifesaver for me. (bupropion is generic, I guess that’s all they make..." + (show)
@avalyn

Wellbutrin has been a lifesaver for me. (bupropion is generic, I guess that’s all they make now) we are all different chemically, but none of the serotonin-uptake antidepressants worked before this wonder drug. Don’t give up.

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I take Hydrocodone for pain pen. I limit it to two a day and I never face addiction. I also take Quettapine a serotonin uptake pill. It helps me sleep and works wonderful for my mood swings. Sleep is very important for healing. I have gone from four hours of broken sleep to the blessing of feeling rested. No more sleep deprivation

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avalyn | @avalyn | Sep 29 11:18pm
In reply to @cecelia19 "Thank you SO MUCH! I need to address my depression as much as my pain." + (show)
@cecelia19

Thank you SO MUCH! I need to address my depression as much as my pain.

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C - Try Buproprion, REALLY made all the difference for me. Good luck! There is hope!

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patevans | @patevans | Sep 30 2:35pm
In reply to @solobeee1 "Yes, my neurologist does prescribe the LDN & then I get it compounded at my PUBLIX..." + (show)
@solobeee1

Yes, my neurologist does prescribe the LDN & then I get it compounded at my PUBLIX pharmacy in Florida to 4,5mg.
Pain management doctors also prescribe it.

Jump to this post

What is LDN?

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