Peripheral Neuropathy - Everything cures it and nothing cures it

Posted by JohnWBurns @johnwburns, Sep 19, 2016

Peripheral Neuropathy, being a chronic progressive, debilitating disorder tends to drive people to seek cures in every corner of the internet. Those efforts are often rewarded by various "cures" obtainable, of course, for a price. Depending on what has caused your PN, try and treat the root cause, if it has been identified, using established, reproducible means, e.g. diabetic control. Remain aware of the conditioning capability of the placebo affect. Its fine to look for things to complement your core therapy but don't let yourself be diverted from those things which have a track record of being helpful. Partner with your doctor when using any alternative therapies and think hard before buying anything that has anecdotal support only.

Here's a comical spin on this trend:
http://gomerblog.com/2016/09/prescriptive-authority/

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Nancy | @upnorthnancy | Sep 19, 2016

Any experience with medicinal cannibis~cbd ????<br><br>

JohnWBurns | @johnwburns | Sep 19, 2016

In reply to @upnorthnancy "Any experience with medicinal cannibis~cbd ????" + (show)

Supposed to be very helpful for pain. No large studies, anecdotal. I tried it, not much luck. From doctors I've talked to I'd guess it does help some people, a lot, but you won't know if you're one of them until you try it.

ChefBrown | @chefbrown | Sep 20, 2016

Hello @upnorthnancy, I have used medical cannabis for several years. It works great for chronic pain that I have had for over 25 years. All of the people I know that use it agree that it works to varying degrees. It also has worked for symptoms of MS like sleeplessness, poor apatite, tremors, etc. There are different strains with varied strengths. One thing we have all learned is that CBD without at least a small amount of THC isn't as effective. A small percentage of THC won't give you a high. Charlottes Web has been effective in treating children with epilepsy. A close friends child was having several seizures a day so they started the treatments recommended with Charlottes Web and now she only has seizures 3 to 4 times a month. Without the cannabis I would be bed ridden quite often as I don't like opioids or the way they affect me. Talk with a Doctor who has experience prescribing it and see if they think it could help in your case. Good luck.

helloshelly7969 | @helloshelly7969 | Sep 22, 2016

Scary but funny. Thanks for the laugh!

Suzz | @suzz | Sep 25, 2016

I think it'll work but I'm an addictions counselor, so it's really against my work ethic (are you laughing yet?). I used to use it when I was younger before chronic pain... I wish I could!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 3, 2016

A belated welcome to Connect @suzz. Great to have an addictions counselor in the community. Do you suffer from chronic pain?

Suzz | @suzz | Oct 4, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "A belated welcome to Connect @suzz. Great to have an addictions counselor in the community. Do..." + (show)

Yes I do. Injuries, migraines and fibromyalgia do me in pretty much every day. Doing Steroid injections in my sacriollitic, shoulder, and 3 places in my cervical spine have actually helped. On lyrica, antidepressants and muscle relaxers. It sucks, but I'm doing everything I can. Thank you for the welcome!

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 4, 2016

@suzz Let me add my welcome as well. Thanks for adding your personal experiences to our Mayo Connect community, everyone's input provides help for others. I'm glad that you have found some treatments that work for your chronic pain. Best wishes and we look forward to getting to know you better as you post at Mayo Connect.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 4, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "A belated welcome to Connect @suzz. Great to have an addictions counselor in the community. Do..." + (show)

Suzz, I invite you to also participate in the discussions happening in the following groups:
- Autoimmune Diseases: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/autoimmune-diseases/
- Bones, Joints & Muscles: http://mayocl.in/2cpjGMC
- Chronic Pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 4, 2016

I am forever getting ads from one of those call us and setup an appointment we can help you fix your neuropathy. I struggled with SFPN for 15+ years without getting a diagnosis mainly due to the fact I only felt numbness and a little tingling in my legs (started in my toes). So after my diagnosis in March I started my quest for alternative treatments that would help relieve the numbness. Looked into one that an elderly friend (who am I kidding, I'm old too!) went to but she has lots of money. When I found out it normally takes 12 to 15 treatments before it starts showing any results at $150 to $350 a pop, I decided there has to be something wrong with this. My friend still thinks it's doing her good. I've have learned to be careful when looking into alternative treatments. Here is a good article that talks about different scams - https://www.foundationforpn.org/2016/04/11/5179/.