Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

I have severe neuropathy and take BOTH Gabapentin AND Lyrica. I have taken Gabapentin, probably too long. The Lyrica is a recent addition. I am 83 years old. Neurologist sez that for my age, I am on the maximum G. dose. I STILL am not getting any kind of relief. I so look forward to bedtime where I can stretch out but NOW, I have screaming Sciatic pain in both legs. At the beginning, I suffered only at night but now it is almost with every step. I have had multiple Physical Therapy sessions for balance issues. I have been tethered to a walker for the past few years following a spiral fracture of my right tibia. I am loaded with metal. Spinal fusions 20 years ago on lower back. More recent neck surgery. This is getting to be a real 'Pain-in-the-Arse for a play on words and trying to maintain a sense of humoor!! What to do??

hello, am new here. have had neuropathy for many years now. didn't know what it was when a little numbness or some light pain would bother me till one day ibuprofen wouldn't handle it any more. went to medfast and finally a dr there told me I had periferal neuropathy and said should have been diagnosed years ago. prescribed tramadol and have been taking it for 13 years now. 2 years ago had the needle test done and was told didn't have peripheral but had small fiber neuropathy. any one here also have that?

Welcome @bree010, Peripheral Neuropathy does involve the small fiber nerves so it does sometimes get confusing. At any rate, the bottom line is there are many different treatments and therapies and no cures so we have to figure out as patients what gives us relief. The only way I have found is to learn as much as you can about your condition and the treatment options that are available. You can find more information here:
--- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview
--- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/

I posted my story in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/. You may also find the following discussion helpful:
--- Small Fiber Neuropathy: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-neuropathy/.

Have you tried any other treatments?

Hi @janicemjackson, Welcome to Connect. Since you mentioned you also have sciatic pain, I'm wondering if you might find the following discussion helpful:
--- Peripheral neuropathy and sciatica: What helps with the pain?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neruopathy-injections-not-working-tramadol-to-control-pa/.

Some people have found that Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) has been helpful for sciatic pain. There is another discussion on the therapy here:
--- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.
Have you heard of Myofascial Release Therapy?

I have been making numerous attempts to JOIN but there is NO 'JOIN' in
the upper right corner of my screen!! AD, when I put i my e-mail and
password~~~NA, except I am not enrolled. I cannot get in to reply to
johnbishop or retrieve other messages .  Janice M Jackson

Hi Janice @janicemjackson, You were able to reply to my post so I'm pretty sure that means you are logged into Connect and you don't have to Join. Did you see my previous message? If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of this email notification, it takes you to this post. Then if you just scroll up a little you will see my reply to your previous post with a couple of links to other discussions. Since you are already logged in you don't have to join or login to reply to my post or post a new comment/question.

Hi. Thanks for the responses to my message. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I don't know much about my neuropathy. A Podiatrist did a biopsy on my feet and it indicated that the nerves are healthy. A few years ago a Neurologist conducted electrical tests of the nerves in my legs and feet. I can't remember what he said about the results. They weren't too encouraging. He told me if I started to have pain, to contact him. I need to talk to him again. I'm going to continue monitoring the forum to learn about neuropathy. I have spinal stenosis. Lumbar surgery about 6 years ago, and neck surgery 5 years ago. glen g

Oh, let me see~~~My Neurologist asked if I had ever taken Tramadol & I did have it when I had the broken Tibia. I tolerated it well & was dependent on it during the extreme Physical Therapy sessions. I had a real hummer for a Therapist but after many tearful sessions she was able to get me walking & the balance in tact. Now, however the balance is shot to~~~~! You know, I have other complications like Degenerative Disc Disease. Had a heart attack in 2010, no one in my family had that heart issue. I had the 2nd heart attack in the ICU, had stent and then emergency surgery to correct a faulty connection. I was hospitalized in theDenver/Wheatridge area for 8 days. I have had NO heart issues since!! I also have had Melanoma (1999) with a large biopsy in the middle of my forehead. NOW I have a peculiar mole that has manifested itself smack in the middle of the old scar~all these years later. I always attributed it to High Altitude living and a heavy ski schedule in my 30's, 40,s & 50's. HHHHHMMMM isn't this interesting? NO~~~ My Mother always said "No one cares to hear about our ailments &, you know, she never complained about anything. I know she suffered terribly with osteoporosis! BTW, I have that too! Have lost 4"'s. Aging has not been fun & yet I have so much to be grateful for~~~I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world (Rocky Mountain Nat'l. Park ) is just outside my door and I overlook Fall River. I do have caring family members. Regards, Janice P.S. More than you wanted or needed to know.

what was the dosage fo the tramadol

hello. have been using tramadol 50 mg since the beginning. for a few years only needed 1 a day then had to up it to 3 a day for many years. only about 18 months ago have had to take up to 5 or 6 a day, some 2 at a time depending on the level of pain. during the day I can kind of ignore the pain if it's not too bad by keeping busy and my mind off it so as not to have to take so many pills but sometimes that backfires on me and have to double the pills to dull the pain. can't win. lol.