Neuropathy Medications

Hi Peggy, Are you taking both Gaba and Lyrica at the same time? No side effects? Wowzers! I have so many from Gaba at a very low dose, even 100mg. twice daily (now I'm on 800mg. total in a day, split by 3 different times). I mentioned the horrible side-effects in a recent post; double vision off and on daily both horrizontally (typical) and veritcally (a repeat of the line of words above, below the line), a pattern of grayish and white in my whole vision field, balance, coordination, tracking, memory, etc. problems. I HATE them! So I switched to Lyrica and had the same ones only worse so I switched back to Gaba. I can't imagine not having unwanted side-effects and am so glad to hear you don't!

It really does help numb my pain so that's why I stay on it. I'm still at such a low dose I can't imagine having to take more eventually when I build a tolerance to it. How many mg. are you on of this or these meds?

I wish you all the best. Warmest regards, Sunnyflower 😊

@sunnyflower I understand. I've been that way as well. I will hurt myself to provide and make sure things are perfect for my family. That's something instilled in a person and not likely to change much. Some people use that as a survival skill to stay strong. Whatevever works best for you. I'm glad you ask your husband for help. Everyone deserves a little help. May the force be with you! ☺

What is the matter w/ us? We're our own worst enemies! Geesh! A danger to society and ourselves! Twins! Fondly, Sunny 😊🤗

Hi Hank. I’m sorry I totally missed that question. It is funny how friends and families fade when you have so little to give. I have been resuscitated several times over the years found just by dumb luck. Vomiting up charcoal is horrible (sorry for the graphic) It probably depends on the place but if you are not crazy when you are committed/admitted against your will by a friend you have given so much money and great jobs (who then never checks on you again) you are never the same when you walk out. I’ve been in 2-3 week outpatient programs as well. Thank god I have found a dr who will prescribe benzos in small amounts. No psychiatrists would prescribe because they are addicting. I might still be working if I had been on an extended release benzo. That would have helped long ago. No antidepressant has worked and my chart will tell you I’ve taken them all. My husband is as supportive as he can be. Only in this 10th year does he realize how truly incapacitated I am. I have 2 or 3 people I can reach out for in an emergency like I had to have a colonoscopy and someone I drove and stayed with 10 years ago returned the favor. I live day to day and hope one day I will feel joy again. Thanks for being so perceptive. I guess I am validly classified as a shut in. Please continue to reach out to me.

@sunnyflower
Oh no Sunny, I meant that I read to my wife your posts that you wrote here on Connect to other people. I certainly can see how it could be misconstrued. Sorry for the confusion. Language can be tricky at times.

I am sorry you lost your mom when you were so young. That is truly a terrible thing and makes me feel sad.

Don't worry about posting your list of illnesses. I was just curious. I understand your desire for privacy. I'm just kind of proud of how you manage to seem like such a good, kind, WAY smart and normal person in the face of such daunting circumstances. I'm pretty sure I'd be curled up with a foot long beard, in the fetal position in a closet if I had half of your health issues. My presence would never be know to anyone here on Connect!

Best, Hank

Yes, I take 1200 gabapentin at noon and again at 6 pm. At midnight, I take 225 Lyrica. Peggy

@bustrbrwn22 I'm sorry that you have such severe, unrelenting pain. Most of my pain, from peripheral neuropathy, is in my feet and ankles, and it's worst when I sit down, stand still and lie down. I'm able to do all of the work taking care of our place, for which I'm thankful, but if I overdo I pay for it. But you're certainly in far more pain than I am.

My wife had severe pain from her sciatic nerve last year, and a scan showed that there was a constriction in her spine, squeezing her sciatic nerve. She had surgery for it, with just 3 small incisions, and as soon as she woke from anesthesia, the pain was amazingly better, and in a short time the pain was all gone. I'm having the same problem now, with my spine clenching the nerves to my legs and feet, and I hope that surgery, scheduled for the 24th, will help me as much as it did my wife.

I haven't heard from you if you're considering surgery. It could make a big difference.

How long ago did you have the charcoal treatment? I've never had the experience, but I've been a guest at a facility twice, after failing suicide attempts, the first time for 6 weeks, the second time only 3 days. The staff totally botched my second visit. I should have stayed longer, but I left before they did any permanent harm to me.

Medications can be a challenge when they're needed for both physical pain or diseases and mental health issues. I have medications for depression and anxiety, as well as for neuropathy and arthritis, and I'm really fortunate to have a team of good doctors.

And you're fortunate to have such a supportive husband.

Jim

@bustrbrwn22
I am sorry about your situation. It really sucks that many do not have an adequate support system in their lives. I'm glad your husband is paying more attention now. I'm not too familiar with what is available for people who need extra support and I should be. I wonder if, when you don't have a friend to call, you could contact Volunteers of America or some other organization for assistance? I wish you well bustrbrwn22 and hope you get help as you have needs for it. Best, Hank

The only real relief or cure of Peripheral Neuropathy is by the practice Neuroplasticity. Drugs are NOT the answer. The brain has to repair the damage, by regrowing and activating the brain. I have covered this , in detail, in previously, and suggest a re read of the pertinent details. Pain can be overcome., itching and other u comfortable habits. After 3 months of disciplined change of habits, I am feeling better generally, including walking and balance. I am still aged 89 til Jan next , and on nil medication. No real change will happen to you, unless you change. You have to own the responsibility of taking action. Best wishes and go for it.

Hi Barry @user_che214927, I'm sure you feel very passionate about the relief you get for your peripheral neuropathy by using Neuroplasticity. There is a lot we still don't know about the brain and it's powers. I'm no expert but I'm not sure I could make a blanket statement about Neuroplasticity being the only answer for relief from the pain and discomfort caused by peripheral neuropathy. I'm not a big fan of some of the medications being used to treat peripheral neuropathy but that is just my personal opinion. If people are able to get relief from their pain caused by nerve damage, it's a good thing for them and I really hope it keeps working for them.

I do feel that Neuroplasticity and the drugs are accomplishing the same thing using different methods but I have no training or medical background so it's just an opinion. I think that Neuroplasticity is "training" the brain to not feel the pain, whereas Gabapentin and other seizure type medications are "tricking" the brain to block the pain signals that are received from the damaged nerves.

I guess the bottom line for me is that if works for you, relieves your pain and it is doing no harm to your body, then it is a good thing and your answer for relief from the pain. If I had pain with my PN, Neuroplasticity would definitely be on my bucket list of things to try even though I think it can be something that is not as easy as it sounds.

G’day my friend from down under!