Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

@jesfactsmon.. I also tske magnesium glycinate, it's a better magnesium. I never have trouble going to sleep , it's staying asleep through the night that's the problem. I've tried everything under the sun, or moon, in this case. Turn off TV and all digital devices, read a book before bed, stretch, no caffein at all, going to bed the same time etc. etc. If anyone has any secrets to an undisturbed sleep, please share! BTW, magnesium is also good for blood pressure, many people are magnesium deficient. Unfortunately the way foods are grown and processed nowadays, this mineral is often deminished by the time they reached the market. Pumpkins seeds is a good source too.

@jesfactsmon Hank, I'm so pleased that you tried magnesium and found it so helpful. It's a easily overlooked but vital mineral.

What is the highest mg you’ve taken without side effects? Thanks for the tip!

Please be careful with lamictal. I had 4 Seizures in 2 years. The last one caused me the ability to read for about 4 days. I had to train myself words again. I know I am in the real minority here. I also exhibited the rash they warn you about and to seek medical care immediately. I should have stopped then. I was blindly listening to my psychiatrist

Yes

I'm new at this I've tried all the different medicines side effects on all of them diarrhea spacing out however yucky feeling with those the pain is atrocious I don't do much anymore I do some exercise. 3 days a week any suggestions for the pain

Hello @jennredd, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. There are several discussions that you may find helpful for suggestions on relief from the pain and discomfort of neuropathy.

-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
-- Neuropathy and Brain Neuroplasticity: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/barry-sheales-australia/
-- Supplement recommendations: What can help neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-recommendations-can-help/
-- Neuropathy & Exercise: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-exercise/
-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

@jennredd are able to share a little more about your diagnosis and what medications your were prescribed or are still taking?

@bustrbrwn22
Hello,
I'm not taking Lamictal and don't intend to since my Neuropathy has changed. I only have numbness now.
I'm familiar with Lamictal in the treatment of Epilepsy but was curious about its effectiveness in Neuropathy and how many here may have tried it. Epilepsy has been my nemesis for almost 54 years with thousands of seizures.
Were you diagnosed with Steven Johnson syndrome? Didn’t your physician tell you to discontinue the Lamictal when you informed s/he of your rash. Do you have neuropathy and if so are you using any medication to help treat it and if so what type and is it beneficial?
Thank you for your reply.
Take care,
Jake

Hi @jakedduck1. I see in your post you state you have tried many anti seizure medications. I just wanted to add I was prescribed only one while I was in the ICU following my AVM(ArterioVenous Malformation). Upon discharge from the hospital, I was given a prescription to continue the same medication, Keppra. I don’t normally take medications but figured the doctor would know best. After all I had no decision making with this medication whatsoever. I was in a coma. Needless to say, I hated the effects of the medication and cringed every time I had to take a dose. I did not know how much the medication affected my body, was it me or the drug? It had awful side effects. The more I read, the more I wanted out. So on my follow up visit with my neurologist I convinced him to discontinue it. He told me “ I was right” so I was tapered off and within a few weeks done with it. I never had a seizure. It was a precautionary measure. For me, what an awful feeling taking anti seizure medications. One has to look for the benefits vs the risks in taking it. To answer your question, I saw no benefits with Keppra while I was taking it. I have been drug free for almost 4 years now and have come a long way. I started with a wheel chair because I could not ambulate at all. Wish you well in finding answers!

@mayofeb2020, Like you, I can fall asleep easily after reading awhile and going to bed at about the same time each night. I awaken almost like clockwork between 3-3:30am for a bathroom break (regardless of when I drank the last water or tea,etc) and have difficulty getting back to sleep. Now I get up right away, check e-mails, play a simple game or read and after about an hour, can go back to bed for additional sleep. Not suggesting this will work for another but it has certainly been a boon for me. I think getting up and about right away and redirecting my attention to something else versus the fretting I did at first is part of the remedy that helped.

I don't take magnesium but do have high b.p. What would be a good low dose to start of the magnesium? @jesfactsmon or @steeldove, would it be possible to post the article or link to group or in a private message?