Welcome to the Neuropathy group.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet other people who are dealing with neuropathy. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with neuropathy, coping with the challenges and offering tips.
I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you’ll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentor John (@johnbishop) and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.
We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What concerns would you like to talk about?
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, thankful, Dee, cehunt57 ... see all
Hi John..I was on TheProtocol website and read that the newer program will be out in Fall of 2019. I know you had success with it but I was disappointed that there weren't a lot of testimonials from people who were successful. I only read a few of the moderators that wrote of their improvements.
I was changed from gabapentin to Cymbalta & I started with 30 mg & I was just increased to 60 mg & I have been on it for 4 days now & I still don't see any improvement & I was on the 30mg for a month. I sure hope it helps bc I haven't noticed any side effects as of yet.
Liked by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor
Hi @lynnaustin — The website was setup after the Facebook group started growing as an easy way to order the different vitamins and minerals through Amazon. You are right, they've only shared a few testimonials on the website. If you want to see all of the testimonials from members who have had success with the protocol, join the Facebook group – http://www.facebook.com/groups/spnpd. You may have to answer a few questions to join but once you join and read through the new member welcome message you can easily find many, many testimonials by going to the top of the groups Facebook page and typing #theprotocolworks. This was the tag that members used to post their success using the protocol in group. The groups Files section has a wealth of research information in it which was one of the highlights for me.
I've been a member since August 2016 when the group was less than 500 members. The group is currently 8.9K members in numbers which will give you an idea of the all the folks with PN looking for relief.
Liked by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor
Nice photos ! Relaxing I’m sure.
Thanks for your suggestions and guidance for all of us dealing with various forms of chronic pain. You really are an inspiration with your positive attitude and always researching for others for treatment that might help.
Keep up the great work- to you and the other moderators as well.
@mlross4508, thank you for the kind words! That was one of my surprise photos. I think I might have spilled some sunflower seeds when filling the bird feeder and the neighborhood cleanup crew took care of the mess I made ☺
Liked by Jennifer Hunter, rwinney
Hello. This forum is wonderful and will provide you with support, ideas, examples and encouragement. I feel your pain on many levels as my world significantly changed when I was 43 with multiple health problems. I'm now 49 and my youngest child is off to college in one week. My oldest left for college at the start of my down slide. I have felt horrible over the past 6 years that my youngest had to endure alot with me. Some days it's hard to understand or believe that things happen for reasons in our lives but, I try to keep that focus.
I'm so sorry for your pain and hope that knowing you are not alone in this miserable journey can help you someway, somehow. Warm regards.
The one thing I learned about Cymbalta, for me personally, was that it took well over a month to combat the constant nausea. I almost gave up but then realized that by taking it closer to bedtime, I was able to sleep off side effects. Good luck to you in your journey.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
I don't have any nausea & I do take it at bedtime so that I would not notice the side effects. I do notice I urinate a lot more so that could be a side effect. Do you feel the cymbalta has helped with your pain & how many milligrams do you take. I have stage 3 kidney disease & my kidney dr said that I need to have my electrolytes checked periodically.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
To be honest with you I began it when my PCP suggested it for pain and anxiety (over not knowing what the heck was wrong with me) and no I do not believe it touches my pain. As evident by being on Lyrica and Norco. I think it helps me with anxiety and depression.
@tigreyes2004, @rwinney It appears that both of you have been trying to find the best medication for pain, depression, and anxiety and especially as those quests apply to Gabapentin vs Cymbalta.
Since most of us have to deal with all three symptoms, it is interesting to see what works and what doesn't, what side-effects have interfered with the purpose of the medication, and what is the best time of day to take these medications?
Sometimes when changes are made, we wait somewhat anxiously for positive results whether that be the disappearance of side effects or the appearance of pain amelioration. And when they work, we want the positive results to make a difference and last a long time.
Just for the record, after some restless and inconclusive experimenting, I am pretty settled on Cymbalta (duloxetine) 60 mg in the morning and gabapentin,1200 mg before bedtime. We are all so very unique and are bodies seem to march to their own drummer. Can you imagine what our medical providers must filter through for each and every patient? Thanks for posting your information today and please let us know of improvements in pain control or decreases in anxiety and depression which should actually translate to pain reduction.
Have a lovely, breezy afternoon. Chris
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
I just started the 60 mg and not finding any side effects so far but do feel like it has really helped better than Gabapentin 1200 side effects.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
Thank you. Cymbalta & gabapen 1200 mg seems a lot to take. Don't you feel tired all the time? That is the reason I got off the Gabapentin but everyone is different. I'm glad it works for you.
Liked by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor
@zorrospouse
First this site will help you find suggestions and information to discussion with your healthcare providers. Information is empowering and power helps with regaining control of your life. Search for a therapist who deals with chronic pain, not just sport and surgical injuries. It takes understanding to help us with the difficulty we deal with everyday and will not be solved with a quick fix. Firmness and resolve are needed to find what works for you. My provider changed my meds from Gabapentin to cymbalta due to balance issues and it also treats depression. Good science based website are valuable but there is a lot of garbage type of sites offering misinformation. Keep looking for helpful people and support, it is out there.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, Jim, Volunteer Mentor, Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor, sherryw ... see all