PN in the feet and calves

Hi, fala (@fala). You're bound to get a tsunami of responses to your question. I'll have to pass on suggesting an answer as I'm one of the fortunate ones who doesn't have foot or leg pain. My chief PN symptom is terrible balance, with the expected wobbly gait that accompanies terrible balance. I look forward to reading the responses you get. And here's wishing you my very best! –Ray (@ray666)

Hi @fala, @ray666 is correct about the tsunami of responses, most which have already been posted in one discussion or another. Grab your self a nice cup of your favorite hot or cold beverage and dig in to a few of the discussions that peak your interest.

--- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
--- Small Fiber Neuropathy: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-neuropathy/
--- Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-pain-2/
--- Neuropathy - What physical activities help?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-22/
--- Supplements - What helps nerve pain and/or neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-recommendations-can-help/
--- Neuropathy 101 - Knowledge is power?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-101-knowledge-is-power/

Hi,
I just duck in here every now and then. Yep, misery loves company. Oh, ok, it's not just that...I always hope there is something new to try. This nasty PN ailment actually started for me, in the 80's. I actually agreed to have foot surgery, (that failed) and an "I'm sorry, (from my brilliant Doctor, with...wait for it... and this is a real quote,) you will have to walk on your heel for a year". Said, like "Have a nice day!" Sigh.
Yes, that was a long time ago. I have pain everyday, all the time, but I have managed it with help from this site. Helpful exchange is very uplifting as well!
When I wake up in the morning, IF I do NOT move my feet, I feel no pain. I mean is that helpful to even mention? Since there is no cure, it helps me to know I am NOT alone. It is all bad with differences here and there . It helps me to read what is happening to other folks. Hey, we keep hoping and trying this and that when we aren't crying in our beer...(just trying to keep my sense of humor.)
My best to all!

This DOES work for pain. Not for numbness - LDN
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn-3570335/

Hi, fala (@fala)

When you say, “I always hope there is something new to try,” you’re in good company. Just about everyone here in the Forum would shout, “Me, too!” I sure would. It’s human nature to resist a harsh reality, particularly if countless hours and countless dollars may one day actually produce a cure, or if not a “cure,” then at least something that might offer meaningful relief. It’s been hard for me to adjust to my disease being incurable.

I’m in the middle of changing doctors. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have a tele-meeting with my new neurologist (a woman I’ve met before, so she’s not entirely “new”). I plan to tell her in the first few minutes that I know my neuropathy is not curable. I want to tell her that up front so she won’t think I’m expecting her to come up with a cure. At the same time, she’ll know – and I’ll know – that we’re each hoping that the day will not be too long in coming when there will be either a cure or a meaningful therapy. My goal is for the two of us to build a sustaining relationship on that unspoken hope.

I wish you 20 tons of success in finding relief – and finding it soon!
Ray (@ray666)

Hi Ray,
I appreciate your response. We all know that we are not alone with this ugly PN. conversing about our mutual problem is actually helpful. I hope we can take it further with what has "helped me". Yes, everyone is different, reacts differently, but sharing might just help one person try something they have not tried before. PN wears a lot of different hats. We often have to try a bunch on to find the one that suits us.
My hat is called Cannabis.......it fits.
Fala

Hi, Fala

I gave cannabis a good try. I very badly wanted it to work. In the end, though, I had to be honest and say that cannabis's effect on my PN wasn't measurably different from the effect I had been getting from the various lidocaine salves.

Ray

@ray666 Ray - With the numbness only, bad balance and no pain which we both experience, among the many things I've tried without ANY success was lidocaine. Did you see any difference at all with lidocaine? Ed

Ed– Lidocaine? And it's second-cousin Diclofenac? Any difference? No, not really, not with my PN, certainly. The same was true of cannabis. I suspect all these topicals with all their "secret ingredients" can only penetrate so deep. Okay for muscle aches maybe, but that's where the magic ends. –Ray

Hi
I thought I should have give more of my experiences and details about PN and cannabis.
I was introduced to Marijuana by one of my Sports Medicine Doctors. When he asked how I was doing, I blurted out about my foot pain, (which was NOT his specialty.) My pain was indescribable, so I was wide open for any kind of help! My feet were screaming so loud, I had to use a walker. At about 6:00 in the evening, I had to go to bed. I could not stand to have my feet touch the floor another minute.
That was 2016.
Nothing worked for me until I found Cannabis. BUT, I tried for the first year and a half to land on WHICH ONE WORKED! I did NOT want any side effects. I have NO desire to get high, SO I avoided that like the plague. Lots of trial and errors, patience and pain before I got it right. It's like saying "I like dessert," or "I like dancing," but there are so many different kinds. I had to find the right combination, the correct strength, for it to be MY pain reliever. It took a while. I feel sure that most of you are doing the same thing. Huge differences from one STRENGTH, one pain reliever to the other. Trail & error is pricey, but worth it.
Here's hoping you find "the one!"
Best wishes!