Does anyone treat their neuropathy without pharmaceutical drugs?

Posted by annashby @annashby, Feb 1 3:56pm

I’ve recently been diagnosed with neuropathy and given gabapentin for pain. I am concerned about the many side effects of this drug. I don’t know why I have this condition as I am not diabetic and have no pinched nerves in my spine. I’m 78 and pretty healthy except for this. I exercise at the gym 4-4 times a week and walk several miles when I don’t go to the Y.
Anyone have suggestions for me?

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Profile picture for fala @fala

It is such a pain puzzle that we get with this ailment for no apparent reason. I was hit with this many years ago, out of nowhere! Both my feet felt like they were burning! Doctor after Doctor had no clue, but this was 25 years ago! We have progressed! Finally, one doc said there was an answer! He actually said, "Which foot would you prefer I look at first? Since pain was the same in each foot, I said it did not matter. He looked at the right foot, sliced the bottom open and said, "sorry", I have found nothing. Then he told me casually, "Well you'll have to walk on your heel for a year and let this one heal!" What? Why not a warning? Why not just say "I can't help you" like all the other Docs did? At that point, I was desperate, so it was part my fault & sorry that I let him work on me!! I did that with desperation and HUGE consequences, now having developed Sciatica all the time from the weird way I walk! I have suffered 24 years to date! Now Doctors do not want to be involved (actually, I get it) in giving any advice except one FINALLY for a pain patch and a pill with CBD. Yippie! It helps ease the pain somewhat...but it takes a long time to get the right dose or it can have big, bad side effects! Keep trying, it really does help in the end! OK, lots of work, but it is worth it!
Best wishes to all of you in that same "Camp"!

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@fala I use Hempvana CBD cream specifically for Nerve Pain.

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Profile picture for jaqued @jaqued

@fala I use Hempvana CBD cream specifically for Nerve Pain.

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So nice to have a response. Thank you!

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Profile picture for arcuri24 @arcuri24

@ld800 .

Doctors are far from perfect. I am sorry that you had that setback. One thing I know about neuropathy is that it presents with ultra-sensitivity. I have had tingling in my feet but never a burning. I have resumed taking ALA as it seems to help with my feet. I am very weary of taking medicine or injections. I believe a reaction to medication caused my neuropathy. I wonder why bacon and ham causes burning. Try some grassfed beef--a healthier choice and probably no burn.

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@arcuri24 I have Statin-induced small fibre peripheral neuropathy, which has ruined my once healthy life.

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Profile picture for hughpuppies @hughpuppies

@mademoiselle I tried capsaicin 6 times and each time I used it it made my feel burn worse than the actual neuropathy. My feet and legs where I put the capsaicin burned so bad I thought I was burning a live. It took like 4-5 hours before the burning of the capsaicin wore off. I had to stop taking it because it burned so bad. Maybe it won't make it feel like it is burning you like it did me.

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@hughpuppies I had the exact same problem with capsaicin. Wicked burning. Never trying that again! I threw it away.

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@fala I used to take meds when working.
Now retired, I don't take anything. I have length dependent peripheral neuropathy. It is worsening over the years but I am lucky not to have pain.

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I’m interested in knowing what you do, because I’m not a “med taker” myself.

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I have had neuropathy for 10 years. I exercise and I do not take medication. I can not tell you what to do about meds, but I do not take them because of the dumming down element on the brain. NONE of the medications cure neuropathy. I decided to live with it and use a positive mental attitude!

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Since many of you with neuropathy say you are not taking meds, are exercising, and living with it. May I assume that you do not have pain with it. I have an average daily pain of about an eight along with burning and tingling. Combined, they make it virtually impossible to walk, exercise, or do just about anything.

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Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

Since many of you with neuropathy say you are not taking meds, are exercising, and living with it. May I assume that you do not have pain with it. I have an average daily pain of about an eight along with burning and tingling. Combined, they make it virtually impossible to walk, exercise, or do just about anything.

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I relate to much of what you are going through. Nine years ago, I had major surgery for a rare tumor in my spinal cord. Damage from the tumor and surgery resulted in numbness, tingling, burning, and neuropathy in my legs and feet. I’ve been taking 300 milligrams of gabapentin since my surgery to help calm down my legs and feet at night so I can sleep. It continues to work for me along with walking 2-4 miles per day, strength building exercises, PT once a week, cutting out inflammatory foods (sugar makes it worse). Movement is the answer. Recommend you find a very good physical therapist who can help you start slowly. Best of luck to you!

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Profile picture for cit10jetjockey @cit10jetjockey

Sex can relieve pain but if your wife doesn’t want it when you do, check with your neighbors, ya never know.
Okay for real. There are different stages of PN, some have serious pain and others have no pain, just numbness and tingling. All we can do is learn to deal with it. There is no cure and there will never be. Stay strong my friends.

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@cit10jetjockey

Curious Do you suffer from CIPN? Thought I saw that in one of your posts

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