Good evening @miserable and welcome to Connect. Everyone on Connect learns by sharing. We all try to know as much as possible about our condition(s) so that we can not only help ourselves but speak with compassion and empathy to others.

My understanding of your concern is that it is a bit of a "wonderment" as to how long will it be before "I can appreciate some improvement in my symptoms especially when I have done everything I was told to do. " That's a good question and also a very tough one. Neuropathy is a condition without a cure at this point in time. And if nothing else, we are all different. We are of different ages. We respond to treatments and medications differently. There are more than 100 forms of neuropathy so no diagnosis can be guaranteed to be 100% true for today or the future.

For example, I have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) complete with pain, tingle tangles, and numbness. I am 80 years old and have been dealing with it for 5 or 6 years. John Bishop, @johnbishop is 79 years old and has no pain with his SFN of 20 years, just numbness and tingling. John and I use different medications, supplements, and treatments. And we are always listening and learning.

We are kind of on our own as far as evaluating progress. In my case, I am also my own prescriber because I use medical cannabis for SFN pain along with MFR therapy. Here's an example. Two weeks ago, I contracted COVID, the Omnicron variant. To prevent interference, I stopped my daily medical cannabis. Today, I am on the mend and the biggest treat was an afternoon without SFN pain in my hands and feet thanks to medical cannabis.

May I suggest that you read some more responses in this group to find out what just might work for you. There are also a couple of very good national neuropathy foundation websites that @johnbishop can share with you. If you place the name of a medication or treatment in the Search bar at the top of this screen and press the looking glass, you will be taken to a list of all posts which include that item.

Other than gabapentin, what else have you tried?

May you be free, safe, and protected from inner and outer harm.

Chris

I have severe neuropathy in my feet and ankles. Started about 8 months ago and I am going to a pain management clinic. I tried a Neurologist and found him very dismissive and uncaring. My pain management Dr is great. I am on gabapentin as well as Cymbalta ( Duloxetine) which seems to help and has significantly brought down the pain level. Next up is a spinal stimulation procedure which we hope will block the pain sensation more. I would suggest you move on from your Neurologist and try a good pain management Dr.

Good morning,
I am 58 and have small nerve neuropathy. The symptoms started 3 months ago in my hands and quickly progressed fast to my arms, stomach, back, face, scalp and finally the feet now. I have tingling and burning. I am crying most days, all day in terrible pain. I have to wear cotton shirts only because the material makes my skin burn more on my arms and back.
Alcohol was to blame I think. That’s my own opinion.
I drank too much following a very bad marriage and divorce. I stopped drinking.
I have a Neurologist and it seems to me that he is too busy, and cares very little. I am seeking another one as a second opinion.
Does anyone else have burning so bad on the entire back? 🔥
I just keep hearing about the hands and feet. The gabapentin makes my ankles swell so terribly and does not take the pain away. Is there hope for nerve regeneration and if so how long and what treatments ?
I need help. The pain is unbearable. ☹️

@miserable, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @artscaping and others. I was miserable also when I was first diagnosed. What got me feeling a little better and provided hope was searching, reading and learning as much as I can about my conditions. Two sites I use a lot for neuropathy that you might find helpful are:
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview

Myself and others have shared what helped us in the discussion Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

I think when you have neuropathy, lifestyle changes like reducing or eliminating alcohol, sugar, processed foods and other unhealthy habits can have a positive effect on our condition. Have you thought about or made any lifestyle changes to help with your symptoms?

Hi @miserable, You may have noticed that we merged your discussion with this discussion - Alcohol-related Neuropathy: Anyone had good treatment results?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alcohol-related-neuropathy/ so that you can read through the discussion and learn what other members with alcohol related neuropathy have shared.

@bocagrande, @luann262, @sikocesca and others may also have some suggestions or experience to share with you.

I would seek an appointment with another neurologist. It seems strange that you were not given any work up, e.g., EMG or blood tests, when you are so disabled. Next appointment, I would stress the impact on your life and ability to function. Are you taking vitamin B12? B12 deficiency can cause neuropathy. Alcohol may have interfered with its absorption. Similarly, you may need to take a thiamine supplement.