Hi all,
I have progressive Idiopathic PN that stings, burns, feels like knife cutting into bone, and occasional bees stinging. Tons of research and several different tests and treatments. EMG twice and ya, its PN. But what can be done about it? This has been going on since 2007 and has progressed up to knees. Walk every day but beginning to lose control of lower leg and foot muscles. Very careful when driving so you know where the Brake pedal is. Its ugly and I feel your pain literally. If you tell somebody how bad it is, they think your crazy because you look ok and can walk. Even my wife says, "Why doesn't it hurt when you’re fishing?" Answer: “my brain is away from my body and intent on coaxing a 4 lb bass into taking a bite!" Got it!" Distraction seems to be about the only relief at times.
So Im sure many or all of you have been researching the net for an answer and if like me, you have 30-40 sites that all have the answer with supplements, diet, exercise, etc. Can you believe the lies these people come up with? Every week you see a new SOLUTION (Pill) FOR PN. Anybody really gotten relief from any of them? Then there are Tens, Rebuilder, and Anodyne electric impulse generators that supposedly match the oscillations of a typical nerve frequency and induce Nitric Oxide production to open the miniscule blood vessels so more oxygen enters the neural paths to heal them.......Well, one study a while back concluded that ANODYNE (inferred light) treatments had no positive effect over the placebo for about 60 participants. So why are they still selling this to PN sufferers? Admittedly, when I use the Anodyne 300 I purchased years ago, it takes the pain down about 5% with a 30minute treatment. However, by the time I treat the second foot, the first foot has already exhibited the original pain intensity. If I do both feet twice, I get about a ½ hour of relief so rather short lived. Then again, my neuropathy has advanced and been doing so for 15 years. Light/new PN cases may be more manageable with Anodyne.
I have reviewed a link to the National Library of Medicine with a study: "Hyperbaric oxygen treatment attenuates neuropathic pain by elevating autophagy flux via inhibiting mTOR pathway. Am J Transl Res. 2017; 9(5): 2629–2638.
Published online 2017 May 15." So this has been known for several years: 5 to be exact. You can google it.
Read through it and a few paragraphs after the technical jargon, you will see some promising comments.
I am going to try this after consulting with an integrative health specialist to get a referral. Will provide some feedback as I see results. Its called Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment.
Best of luck to all who have this and keep active. “Motion is Lotion” according to my daughter who is a Rn.