I had an Abbott spinal cord stimulator implant in 1971, and the first year was wonderful! I experienced 75% relief. During the second year the generator needed several adjustments to maintain any noticable pain relief. In the third year, adjustments had to be made every three months because it was helping less and less. I still have it turned on because I believe it does help a little, and every little bit helps. The rep is looking into extending the leads because of my height, hoping that the therapy will be more effective in my feet.

Other treatments are Prednisone to slow the progress of CIDP, Cymbalta, Topamax and IV infusions of Privigen 2 days every four weeks that take 3.5 hours. Lying down and sitting in the recliner trigger the bad pain, and I put lidocaine cream 5% on my feet or soak them in tap water.

Neuropathy is affecting me in a number of places, the worst being my feet and ankles, but the pain is continuing to move to my knees. I have numbness in my fingertips and other places, and most of the time when I see a doctor about something the first thing they say is that it's probably related to neuropathy.

My neuropathy is idiopathic/genetic.

I'm going to stop writing and go to sleep while the Topamax is stopping the pain. I've enjoyed reading what each of you have had to say.

Jim