Hi Cathy’
Wow- we have a lot in common. So… I see a neurologist at Yale. Basically, he has just slowly increased the gabapentin to now I’m at the max- I will say if I miss a dose or am late, I can feel it as a nasty reminder so I guess it helps. I worry about what it is doing to my brain. He also put me on 30 mg Cymbalta. It is supposed to help? Maybe with anxiety and depression.
He also prescribed Tramadol, as needed. I’ve been taking it lately every day in the afternoon and again at night. Doesn’t seem to do much but no luck with Aleve or Advil. I got my medical marijuana card and have been using a the/Cbd blend at night. That helps some to allow distraction and some dulling of the general pain. Also my daughter who is a nurse told me about Voltarex cream - helps some. But nothing touches the toes. The ice pick pain is awful as you know! I wish I had Novocain to stick in there! I tried lidocaine cream - nothing. I’ve asked for an mri but neurologist says it won’t show anything. Wonder if there’s something in my lower spine putting pressure on nerves but he doesn’t buy it.
If I had a Mayo Clinic near me, I’d go.
Has yours traveled up your legs? Mine is starting …
Yes! Let’s keep in touch! I finally found someone who understands!
If you don’t have this, you have no idea!
Luann

I too have painful neuropathy in my feet. I was on 3600 mg of gabapentin and Cymbalta. Wanted to use marijuana so doctor took me off both. Long story short I ended up in a psychiatric hospital with suicidality. MJ didn’t work for me. I ended up getting a spinal cord stimulator which greatly helped. Just found out after 20+ years of meds I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease. I was doing well with healty eating but now I’m soothing myself with food. I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Aargh!