Cold Feet/Legs, Pain, and No Sleep

Posted by msnyder910 @msnyder910, Jul 27, 2022

Hi, my name is Mike. I am writing on behalf of my dad. He will be turning 80 in Sept. He has had neuropathy for roughly 15 years and also dealing with Alzheimer's. We have been struggling with his moods lately - he's miserable. The biggest issue is his neuropathy. He complains of pain in his feet, which he says is unbearable, but his legs from the knees down are freezing all day every day. Bed time is the worst and he often gets agitated and upset. He turns the fireplace on, a space heater, blankets, socks (thick wool), . . . he gets upset when my mom turns the AC on or a fan saying that those things are "killing him." Long story short, does anyone have advice to hopefully alleviate the pain and cold? He's on meds for mood stabilizing/sleep (Seroquel) and had just started 300 mg/day of Gabapentin. Thanks!

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So sorry about your Dad. I am struggling also with the inability to get pain relief. I am taking 900 mg of Gabapentin which helps some. Many people are try MMJ/TCH or CBD products to relieve pain. It helps me.

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I hope with a little more time on Gabapentin it will work for him. It helped my heat and cold intolerance tremendously, but I know it doesn’t help everyone, and for some the side effects outweigh the advantages. I too had to wear socks and gloves to bed, and off and on all day, and I was miserable for a few months. Cold pain is AWFUL and I feel for your Dad. The Gabapentin eventually was raised up to a good dosage that eased the cold and heat extremes my neuropathy caused. I still have episodes of discomfort - I know to avoid having the A/C vents on at my hands on my steering wheel, use heat on my feet in the car so they don’t get numb, always wear socks, and take lukewarm showers. I avoid cold beverages if they’re not in a cup that insulated so I don’t have to hold a cold glass. I’m praying for your Dad.

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Hi. I’m so sorry for your dad. I have severe neuropathy as well but I was not able to tolerate Gabapentin so I went to see a functional doctor who prescribed low dose naltrexone and that was a game changer. She also recommended CBD oil to help with sleep and pain.

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I have a similar problem as your Dad keeping my body warm and also hip pain when sleeping, since my early 50's. I have developed a moderately sucessful solution for my particular problems. Some of the things I do are:

* Switched my bedding to down. I use a down comforter & pillows instead of other bedding. It is light weight but insulates far better other products.
* Keep digest tract, large intestine, and colon clear at night. Use a heavy fiber such as Meta Mucil 4-in-1 to help with digestion and gas, use a mild laxative or stool softner with the fiber treatment if necessary. My leg pain reduced by 90 per cent after I improved my digestion and excretion.
* Exercise daily, especially lower trunk & pelvis area if possible. Jane Fonda has a wonderful senior workout CD.
* You should actually use light weight socks for sleeping not wool, use a good hand cream on you feet before putting the socks on. It helps the circulation.
* I use Arthritis Strength Tylonol and diclofenac for joint swelling and pain. I also have allergies, so I take over the counter antihistamines which help with sleep.
* Wear long underwear in winter. I wear leggings in summer under pajamas. I enjoy sleeping in air conditioning, but it activates my arthritis. My body temperature averages under 97 degrees so I have to work to keep my body warm. I live in a warm climate, but I enjoy my visits to MN in the winter when I visit the Mayo Clinic. I'm a cold weather lover living in the Appalachian Mountains over 18 years. Therefore, I do use long underwear under dresses, while sleeping, and out for a walk in cold climates. Hope everyone manages their symptoms!

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@gracen22

Hi. I’m so sorry for your dad. I have severe neuropathy as well but I was not able to tolerate Gabapentin so I went to see a functional doctor who prescribed low dose naltrexone and that was a game changer. She also recommended CBD oil to help with sleep and pain.

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CBD oil? Is that something he would rub on his legs and feet?

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@msnyder910

CBD oil? Is that something he would rub on his legs and feet?

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He would take it internally. Make sure that it is of good quality since there are many out there. It will help with inflammation, nerve pain and sleep. I would have problems sleeping at night due to nerve pain but this has helped me tremendously with both pain and sleep.

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I also use an electric blanket to keep warm without overwhelming everyone with the furnace heat.

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I am 77 years old and have had neuropathy for approx. 25 years. I don't have a problem with the cold, but I used to have problems sleeping. Then my neurologist prescribed clonazepam and I sleep at least 7 hours each night.

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