Good evening @pinkton, My goodness, it has been quite a while since you posted here on Connect. Welcome back....nice to hear from you. You know....neuropathy has a way of getting worse. There still is no cure for this condition. However, there are some medications and treatments that can help you cope with the progression of pain and movement issues.

Let's start with exercises. I have a PT from the Mayo Clinic who helps me with the appropriate exercises that keep me moving without the risk of falling. They are not too difficult and can be done at home. The site for selection by my Mayo PT is called Medbridge. Basically, they help you improve your stability and avoid falls.

I also do some "wake up" Yoga daily except on Tuesdays when I participate in an hour of Yoga class with lots of stretches. I have been with my teacher for about 8 years and she is simply amazing. On Thursdays, I do an hour of mindfulness meditation with the same instructor. I then spend about 20 -30 minutes on other days practicing meditation on my own. I don't think I can emphasize enough how these activities, Yoga and Mindfulness. prepare me every day to battle my SFN (small fiber neuropathy).

Have you been browsing through Connect even though you haven't posted for some time?

You may want to investigate MFR (myofascial release therapy). Here is a link to that section on Connect.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
I now have two sessions a week, with two therapists. I would not be able to drive my car or walk along the river without MFR.

What medications have you found to be helpful up to this point? Have you discussed the need to address this subject with your clinician or other medical professionals? For me, this is really a challenge. I have never been one you would call a pill popper and I have had lots of negative reactions over the years, especially after surgery.

About 10 years ago when I received my SFN diagnosis, a couple of friends who are nurses took me under their wing and taught me how to select and use medical cannabis. I now use different dosages and components during the day and at bedtime.

As you know.....we are all so very different in our reactions to medications. I try to stay on top of the treatments and medications I need in order to cope with increasing levels of pain and discomfort.

Please let me know if any of these suggestions are helpful.
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Hi Chris, I am not a pill pusher either, so I do not take any medication for my neuropathy, although I have been prescribed several along my journey. I started having problems in 2011, when one day my legs and feet blew up like balloons. I think I should look into cannabis too, does it help for you ? I would be interested as to what brand you use and what doses. If that would be something you would care to share in a post. I’m trying different exercise to combat my balance issues. My feet are numb pretty much all of the time at this point, so if you have this issue could you tell me what you do.
This condition is very frustrating and I hate it, so any help or tricks would be very useful to me. I may not beat this, BUT I’m not giving up !!
Thank you for responding.........

Hi, for the burning of hands and feet my neurologist has me take an extra gabapentin, so I take 2-600mg pills, sometimes it helps. My ice feet and hands have always been- told Raynaud’s since cold feet turn corpse like or 1- purple the other foot red burning. Rheumatologist gave me viagra for it, don’t I don’t bother.
It is all a draining puzzle that can’t be finished. Feel well.

I try to avoid drugs, but Gabapentin has been the only help I got for the extreme hot/cold feet and hands. The cold was intolerably painful, wore gloves even to bed in the hot weather until the Gabapentin dosage got to help level. I still get a little uncomfortable at times, but my life is so much better now. I still avoid nature extremes without protection, and control my water temperature.

I am on 1200 mg gabapentin 3 times a day with 50 mg of amitriptyline at bedtime.

Hello @pinkton, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to connect you with others who understand neuropathy, so you will notice I have moved your post here:
- Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

Members such as @artscaping, @crissy123 @dbeshears1, and @sullivan3401 have all joined and responded to you.

Have you heard of the benefits of lymphatic massage/drainage for neuropathy?