Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?

Hello, I’m new to this forum and I’m hoping to connect with others that deal with neuropathy pain jolting them awake in the middle of the night. It hurts so bad I’m terrified to move but I know I have to. I have many medical issues which don’t help. I had chemotherapy in 2015 for breast cancer and radiation in 2016. Had to deal with all the side effects of taking chemo drugs, tamoxifen for 5 hrs then letrozole for 3 yrs when I finally told my Onocologist NO MORE! I was tired of the side effects. My neuropathy started around 2016 and I have been fighting with it since then. It has progressed and gotten worse over the years so has my health. In 2020 I was diagnosed with RA so I started meds for that (plaqunil, celebrex and recently Humira injections). In 2023, I had heart failure and had a pacemaker put in. Plus I’m a long term depression and anxiety patient. I am also according to my cardiologist “morbidly obese. My neuropathy had been minimal (pain wise) all those yrs until February 2024. I’ll be sleeping soundly (I’m a back sleeper ), when all of the sudden I’m jolted awake with pin and needle sensations and deep burning pain in my right thigh. It takes me 5-10 minutes to maneuver myself out of bed. Then I walk around to ease the pain, but it lingers for a few hours. I’m on 100mg 3 times a day of pregabilin (lyrica); it is not helping. I manage to get approximately 5-6 hours of sleep due to this. Please I’m interested in anyone else that has this jolting night waking pain. What helps? How do I get myself out of bed easier?
Thank you
ginlou65

Welcome @ginlou65, I'm sorry to hear you are having to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy. I can tell you that you are not alone and that there are many members with experience that may have some suggestions to try. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy recently had a webinar that you may find helpful:
--- Webinar: Chemo-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy:
https://www.foundationforpn.org/webinar-chemo-induced-peripheral-neuropathy/
There is also a discussion that you might find helpful:
--- Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Breast Cancer:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-11/
Have you tried any complementary or alternative treatments to see if they may provide some relief for the pain?

Has anyone successfully tried THC inn other forms than smoking? I have had NP since 2009! I have tried everything mentioned except THC via a pipe. I did not fall prey to the electronic-mechanical snake-oil salesmen and their devices "guaranteed to cure". I am 92 and stopped smoking when I was 36. I have healthy lungs and am apprehensive about inhaling any thing into them. Except for the neuropathy, I am in good health. Many years ago I did try THC in a mild pill form. I only had burning toes then. However, it did not help, then. Thanks for any advice.

@donfeld, You will notice I changed the discussion title to more reflect the topic and help members find your discussion. You mentioned in another discussion that you slept in a recliner and the night pain went away. Do you still find that helpful to reduce or make the pain go away?

I have lymphedema and my right leg tends to swell up during the day even though I wear compression socks to help with the lymphedema. I put a pillow under the mattress at the bottom of the bed to elevate my legs slight and help with the fluid retention and swelling. I've read where other members have used blanket and sheet tents to raise the sheets off of their legs to help with the pain they feel when the sheets touch their legs. There is another discussion you might find helpful if you have similar problems with fluid retention.

Correlation between increased neuropathy pain and fluid retention?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/correlation-between-increased-neuropathy-pain-and-fluid-retention/

@jeffrapp @rwinney @jimhd @artscaping may also have some thoughts about neuropathy pain at night and what helps.

@donfeld With my neuropathy waking me at night I also found raising my legs up helps I think ,myself , that the bones in lower back then have more room to release the nerves , don't know if this is so but maybe .I,m fortunate to have an adjustable bed so it's easy for me to do this.