Ideas for pain relief from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN)

Posted by somisgirl @somisgirl, Sep 6, 2019

I just wanted to pass along some ideas for those of you with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I am a 60-year-old female in excellent health other than the onset of this about a year ago. I do not have diabetes or any other detectable health issues.
I started some new things a few weeks ago and this week I have had some remarkable relief. I am not sure if what I have done is why, or which thing might have helped, but still wanted to pass this along just to give some of you some things to try.

I wear compression socks. This seems to help with the pain and pressure I feel in my feet and ankles.
I started taking Evening of Primrose oil twice a day.
I have cut my caffeine intake by at least two-thirds and now drink mostly green or black tea. I had heard that caffeine could irritate nerves...worth a shot.
I exercise, which I have been doing for over 20 years. I think it improves circulation which I think really helps with nerve health.
I added niacin. I will aid in blood flow, also good for circulation.
I use a cream called DMSO which i put on my feet and ankles in the morning (numbs the pain)

I don't know if any of this could be helpful for you or not, But I seem greatly improved recently......I have tried everything and am always looking for new things to try in order to function with this awful condition.
I am still taking 600mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day and 20 mg Citalopram once a day and have been for 9 months. I do not take any other medications.

Blessings to all of you and I hope there is a cure some day. I intend to keep looking for solutions that do not require medications!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@swartzki

It’s bluebonnet brand. Alpha lipoic acid. 300 mg. I’ve heard people mention R-ala but forgive my ignorance: I don’t know what the R is for. (Wish it could grow hair). 😔

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ha ha, the R-Ala (I have read) is the superior form of Ala and therefore more expensive, but if you are seeing positive results then stick with it. I use a brand which has both forms but I recently purchased a new brand which is just R-Ala. It is a little costlier so I’ll be curious to see if there is any difference. Helen

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@swartzki

It’s bluebonnet brand. Alpha lipoic acid. 300 mg. I’ve heard people mention R-ala but forgive my ignorance: I don’t know what the R is for. (Wish it could grow hair). 😔

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Hi @swartzki, glad to hear you found a product that is helping your neuropathy. I too had heard good things about alpha lipoic acid. Keep taking your supplement. I tried the Superior Labs brand 600mg daily capsule for 4 months. Unfortunately I saw no benefits.

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@rwinney I also have some missed essential oils for my neuropathy and this gives me relieve for quite a while longer then the pain pill I take .

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@lioness

@rwinney I also have some missed essential oils for my neuropathy and this gives me relieve for quite a while longer then the pain pill I take .

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@lioness Good to hear. Lavender seems to be good for neck pain and headaches. Lord knows I need all the help I can get. Do you suggest a certain brand?

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@rwinney

@lioness Good to hear. Lavender seems to be good for neck pain and headaches. Lord knows I need all the help I can get. Do you suggest a certain brand?

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@rwinney Goodmiorning . I bought mine through Amazon and they sent out the brand Botanic Spa. . For my massage for neuropathy I mix mine with Lavender,frankinsense,lemon oil and peppermint . I went online to Essential oil.com and got a chart of how to mix them also in a diffuser I use things that are calming of for stress relieve.

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@lioness

@rwinney Goodmiorning . I bought mine through Amazon and they sent out the brand Botanic Spa. . For my massage for neuropathy I mix mine with Lavender,frankinsense,lemon oil and peppermint . I went online to Essential oil.com and got a chart of how to mix them also in a diffuser I use things that are calming of for stress relieve.

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Thanks a bunch! This may be my next mission. My case is confusing... regarding head, neck, shoulders. Outside of repercussions of migraine and SFPN diagnosis there also looms the fact that I received several nerve blocks and radio frequency ablations, cervically C4-7 and bilateral occipital over the course of 2 years while trying to solve neck and head pain. They procedures were not fun at all and I believe they added to my nerve damage in addition to my b12 deficiency causing SFPN. Of course pain management Drs disagree but my neurologist raises an eyebrow. Oh wellllll...what's done, is done. Not sure lavender can save my day but, nothing to lose for seeking some additional help.
Have a wonderful day! 🏵🌼🌺
Rachel

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@rwinney

Thanks a bunch! This may be my next mission. My case is confusing... regarding head, neck, shoulders. Outside of repercussions of migraine and SFPN diagnosis there also looms the fact that I received several nerve blocks and radio frequency ablations, cervically C4-7 and bilateral occipital over the course of 2 years while trying to solve neck and head pain. They procedures were not fun at all and I believe they added to my nerve damage in addition to my b12 deficiency causing SFPN. Of course pain management Drs disagree but my neurologist raises an eyebrow. Oh wellllll...what's done, is done. Not sure lavender can save my day but, nothing to lose for seeking some additional help.
Have a wonderful day! 🏵🌼🌺
Rachel

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@rwinney Once something is damaged all you can do is get relief and if Dr.s and medicine doesn't do it then you have to think out of the box for other ideas . Mine has always been naturel products and good food. When I had my garden all the soil wasn't contaminated with anything except cow manure which is a naturel product. I was organic back in the 70,s so we all had good food and my son still is a vegetarian and organic . I started experimenting in the 70,s reading books about herbs ,spices and now essential oils. You just have to do what is best for you . Good luck it is a beautiful day here in SOCAL .

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@lioness

@rwinney Goodmiorning . I bought mine through Amazon and they sent out the brand Botanic Spa. . For my massage for neuropathy I mix mine with Lavender,frankinsense,lemon oil and peppermint . I went online to Essential oil.com and got a chart of how to mix them also in a diffuser I use things that are calming of for stress relieve.

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Hi @lioness. I went online to the website for the diffuser mix. I could not find the chart. How many drops of each of the 4 essential oils do you use? The combination of those oils sounds wonderful. I will try it. When using the essential oils I have to be considerate of my pets. Some oils can be harmful to them. Thank you for the information.

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@avmcbellar

Hi @lioness. I went online to the website for the diffuser mix. I could not find the chart. How many drops of each of the 4 essential oils do you use? The combination of those oils sounds wonderful. I will try it. When using the essential oils I have to be considerate of my pets. Some oils can be harmful to them. Thank you for the information.

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@avmcbellar I had to do alot of research to find the chart. But I found it on http://www.foryourmassageneeds/how many drops of essential oil in diffuser.com

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@lioness

@avmcbellar I had to do alot of research to find the chart. But I found it on http://www.foryourmassageneeds/how many drops of essential oil in diffuser.com

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@avmcbellar It's between 3-5 Gtts depending how much water is used but there's a good chart on website

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