B-6 vitamin danger!

I am a patient at Mayo Clinic and years ago when I went to a neurologist there, she told me if I couldn’t take Lyrica or gabapentin, then there was nothing she could do for me. After reading your comment, I’m wondering if I should give it another try. My neuropathy is idiopathic and it has been progressing for years.

Good choice not to forward with the stem cell treatment. There is a discussion you might want to read through to learn what others have shared:

-- Does Stem Cell Therapy work for Neuropathy?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-neuropahy/

Welcome @rosaliemarie, Similar to what my Mayo neurologist told me after I was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I only have numbness with my neuropathy and was told there are no drugs or topicals that help with numbness. Depending on your neuropathy symptoms, you might want to check out the list of treatments some people have found helps on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy site here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/.

What symptoms do you have with your neuropathy?

Hello John, Thank you for your prompt replay. Numbness (it’s creeping to my knees), tingling, sharp pains that are “migratory.” I feel like my balance is becoming compromised and I really have to look into either physical therapy or a personal trainer. I have been having massages once a month and she really concentrates on my feet, which always feel so much better at least for a little while. Do you know if Medicare covers therapeutic massages?

I don't think regulare medicare covers massage therapy but it might depend on what type of medicare plan you have. Here's some information on the topic:

-- Does Medicare Cover Massage Therapy?
https://www.healthline.com/health/medicare/does-medicare-cover-massage-therapy
-- What Medicare covers:
https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers

I had 2 surgeries one in 2016 and another in 2018 on the toes of my right foot causing more pain then I originally had. A pain doctor after several treatments and injections and prescriptions without positive results recommended that I see this podiatrist an elderly doctor. I had several visits with him. He recommended stem cell treatments that was not covered by insurance. I consented. He took blood from me and mixed it centrifically with a substance and injected it into the area of pain. I did not get any relief. Months later I read an article in the New York Times about stem cell and it was not approved by the FDA. This was a couple of years ago.

I would love to talk with a Mayo neurologist, as I finally had to take a fourth Gabapentin last night, but my request for an appointment was denied. Has anyone seen Dr. Erik Otega at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix?

rosaliemarie - I too went to Mayo and neurologist told me the same thing about lyrica and gabapentin, both I was put on by my primary doc. I have all numbness and she said that these two drugs together or individually can possibly make the neuropathy worse. I figured she knew more than me, so I have not tried it again. No side effects with lyrica but when I was on gaba, it gave me anger issues on just 300 mg daily after 2 weeks on the drug, a possible side effect.

I took both those drugs and the side effects were terrible, especially the Lyrica. I tried acupuncture a few years ago and I felt no relief. I do get monthly massages and she concentrates on my feet and they feel so good for about a day. Sadly, we live in a society where we want to take a pill and feel better, so, I think that is part of my frustration. I know that the more I move, the better I feel. My greatest fear is falling though.

I’m moving soon (again), back to a state I lived in when this PN started. I had a consult back then (6 yrs ago) with a Neurologist at the medical university hospital. Back then, she just reviewed what my local Neurologist had done, and advised a “watch and see what happens” back then. I lived 3 1/2 hours away from her so I couldn’t let her do the watching, especially since I was still in a wheelchair back then and overnight travel was an extreme physical (and financial) hardship for us. We then eventually ended up moving to another state. I’m actually moving to her part of that state now and decided to sign her up as my Neurologist. Maybe as my owner (partner) she’ll have ideas or final thoughts over the 6 year watch, but I’ll certainly ask the Gabapentin/Lyrica question, to get her medical university’s opinion on hurting vs helping PN types, as it seems those are the immediate drugs doctors throw at us. I’ll advise when I see her in 2 months.