I am Walter K. I have peripheral neuropathy. I would like to know if A

My hubby also has the same debilitating problem. I read and search the Internet daily. I live in Spain and this is proving difficult to purchase overseas medication...I am stopped from buying....don't deliver to Spain !!! Still searching for any form of help and guidance...

Walter / I am on my 8th year with Idiopathic Neuropathy. It hit me so quickly that I started out in a wheelchair for 6 months. What got me up and able to get around with walker or cane was physical therapy. I still take a round of it every year to make sure I get the proper supervision to adjust exercises to accommodate the changes my neuropathy and age are doing to me. My goal is to keep muscles strong to allow me to optimize movement. My hands are affected as well.

I am able to take Gabapentin, which helps manage very well the pain I have with my PN. It also helps the extreme cold & heat sensations in my extremities that used to be severe. I have not found or heard of anyone finding anything that helps with numbness. I do find that taking Magnesium and B12 (not B6) helps me move better.

I have a 9 month checkup with my Neurologist today. I’ve had no change since last visit, so my plan is to say hello, let the nurse do her things, then let the PA do the strength tests, ask them if anything has been discovered in the medical field since last time that would help me (I expect “No”) and donate the rest of my 30 minutes to a patient that needs it. I’m not exactly sure why I am going today, it almost seems like a waste of both of our times and $$$, but I’m always told if I ever get worse to go see them, so I guess I have to check in to stay on the active patient rolls. A person would also need to see a doctor to get their Gabapentin or Rx’s filled (though my PCP does that and also puts in referral to PT when I ask ).

The only thing I found that works for me is taking pregabalin, which is a generic of Lyrica. I take 200mg three times a day which helps a lot, but I still have pain in my feet and legs which is continuing to worsen over time. I’m 78 years old and I’ve had this for at least 10 years.

Hello @gillc, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear that your husband has neuropathy pain, thank you for being his advocate. I would take a look at the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy which has a mountain of helpful information including webinars previously recorded that you can watch. Learning more about his condition and what treatments are available that might help provide some relief is one of the best things you can do to help.

-- Living Well: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/
-- Webinars: https://www.foundationforpn.org/past-webinars/

You might also like to scan through some of the different discussions in the Neuropathy Support Group - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/neuropathy/

How long has your husband been dealing with neuropathy?

@walterk
What are your worst symptoms and how long have you had them? Does anything trigger or worsen your symptoms?

@nebrannie49
I take magnesium, alpha Lipoic acid, Acetyl l carnitine, vitamin d and vitamin b12 and it helps me.

What are your current neuropathy symptoms and where do you get them? Does anything trigger or worsen them?

I understand alcohol is a toxin and not good for nerves and those suffering with neuropathy. Neuropathy pain = nerve damage. The best we can do is eat a healthy diet and exercise as best we can to ensure we are getting enough oxygen moving to all tissues. Swimming is a good way to get exercise but not put pressure on joints or feet.

It is also really important to get good sleep and take care of your mental health since chronic pain cause cause anxiety and depression.

I have been taking 1200 mg daily na-R-ALA (600 mg twice daily) since 2016 along with my other neuropathy supplements and do believe it has kept the numbness from progressing and made it a tad better for me.

I was diagnosed in 2017 with peripheral neuropathy. I have been to 2 different neurologists and both said there is no cure for neuropathy. I take gabapentin 300 mg 6 times a day and it only helps somewhat. It's no fun but I just have to live with it. Sorry this happened to you.

Thanks for the tip! I wasn't sure about the amount of R-Lipoic Acid. Also, does it take awhile for you to notice the "difference" or do you feel the "difference" once you start taking it?

John, what times of day do you take your 600mg? Do you take with food or doesn't it matter?
Thanks! Mike