Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

@testudo, Here's what is listed on Mayo Clinic's website for peripheral neuropathy - "Anti-seizure medications. Medications such as gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica), developed to treat epilepsy, may relieve nerve pain. Side effects can include drowsiness and dizziness." excerpt from Peripheral neuropathy - Diagnosis & Treatment: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352067

@jesfactsmon Hank, is it you who was looking for info about magnesium and sleep? Here are a couple of helpful articles: https://getremrise.com/blogs/rise-well/best-magnesium-for-sleep https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201805/what-you-need-know-about-magnesium-and-your-sleep

Thank you so much

@steeldove
Thanks Marilyn, much appreciated. I will take a look. Hank

I read the article. The FDA reports that anti-seizure meds Combined with Opioids may lead to breathing problems In Some Elderly patients. It's a 3-part vortex. It doesn't say that anti-seizure meds by themselves may lead to breathing problems Peggy

@steeldove
Thanks again for the magnesium articles. Per these 2 articles, I just ordered some magnesium glycinate for my wife as it sounds like it might be better for her for sleep. VERY kind of you to pass them along. Hank

Hi Hank, magnesium never helped my sleep but lucky for me the gabapentin does. My husband takes (1) 25mg. CBD gummie (non THC) every night when retiring and he sleeps through the night, he used to get up 3-4 times to use the bathroom. Just FYI

@pfbacon

I make it a habit to read the paperwork that comes with my meds, even though I've read it many times before. A high percentage of them indicate that they are CNS suppressants in some people. The warning for each one is that the effects of these medications are increased, taken with other meds. And, there are always in my own interactions list warnings that one medication may reduce the effectiveness of another one.

A compelling reason for the warnings and interactions and possible side effects is to reduce the manufacturer's exposure to litigation, and the word, "possible", always accompanies the information. It's been interesting to me to observe the similarities between the warnings on almost every medication.

Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increased depression, suicidal thoughts, confusion, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, increased appetite, fever, mood changes, urinary, rash, hives are symptoms to watch for on nearly every medication. Of course, not everything on every medication, but they're pretty much universal.

At first, I was pretty worried about all of the possible problems with any and every medication, and I have experienced a small number of them, mostly temporarily. My antidepressants are also seizure meds.

As far as breathing goes, it could be an issue for me when I'm sleeping, so I asked my sleep doctor about it, and he agreed with me that using a cpap or Bipap machine could lower that risk. The cpap in particular essentially forces me to restart breathing, though there's no guarantee, of course.

Over the years I've learned to be aware of the risks, but I've also learned that I can't be and don't need to be fearful or paranoid. One thing that is important is that whenever a specialist prescribes something new, my pcp is notified, and once the dosage is established, the specialist passes off the prescribing to my pcp. It's important that one doctor supervises all of my meds, so he keeps close tabs on possible problems and when it's appropriate has labs done to monitor liver, kidney, etc.

Bottom line - every person is unique.

Jim

Hello John, I want to thanks for your comments along with others who have commented on my first post the other day. The comments and posts are sobering. For the first time, I am finally dedicated to get my sugar glucose levels down. My levels I believe are similar to yours (John) at one time as my glucose level was at 115. A1C at 6.0 (Prediabetes). But I think I have done harm with these levels. My latest with my Dr. Google PN diagnosis, I notice a slight burning sensation (not pain) in feet at night lying down. I dont notice it when I'm up and about. And periodically I notice sensation (not pain) in my hands. My GP is going to run some imaging on my neck and spine. Looking for pinched nerves? He was also going to prescribe Lexapro for my COVID-19 anxiety. He changed it to Duloxetine because of these symptoms. I think I need to get to a neurologist and get a EMG. I hear "no cure" and I'm borderline terrified with progression of this but I'm hoping I can stop or at least slow it down with eliminating sugars and high carbs and with exercise (I have been way to sedentary). Thanks you all so much for your comments and I welcome any and all strategies with this. Thanks again, John

Hello helennicola! I have to take two magnesium glycinate (total 400mg.), twice daily or I willl get the most painful tetany of muscles on the top of my ankle, feet, toes and even the giant aductor (inner thigh) muscles and hamstrings that can last 15 minutes or more. They are agony and I'm positive that were I to have these in public, and people saw me trying to stretch them out and crying out in pain, they would all call 911!! That's just my input on Magnesium. Best wishes, Sunnyflower 😊