Peripheral neuropathy treatment
what treatments have y'all tried that worked or helped? And what kind of testing is done for a definitive diagnosis?. I have no doubt I have it in hands and at least left foot. Just wondering if there is effective help and what I have to go through for someone to tell me what I already know. I'm already having to see a rheumatologist, internist, neurologist, cardiologist, and ophthalmologist. I'm about doctored out!
Replies
I heard you can try medications like tompamax or gabapentin. I'm not sure what kind of tests are done to prove it. I went to 3 doctors for it and got 3 diagnoses. My PCP said peripheral neuropathy. The neurologist said the pain was a side effect of topamax. And the rheumatologist said it was a mystery. LOL. Good luck. I hope you get answers!
Wow! It's so frustrating. I wish all of them would just get on a conference call and coordinate! My symptoms are text book but I'm so tired of the hassle like what you went through, that I'm hesitant to even broach the subject. Thanks for your reply BlueSky. Hope you have lots of pain free days ahead.
You have a nerve conduction test done to determine peripheral neuropathy. The test is ordered by a neurologist and they connect you to a machine that sends pulses to your leg on the spot they have a connector. It hurt me, and my test showed only a small amount of nerve damge, so my neurologist ordered a small fiber neuropathy test, this is done by biopsy of your skin. This showed I had significant neuropathy and explained the pain. Blue is correct on the meds, Topamax, gabapentin, and lyrica. I can't take any of them, I hope you can tolerate them. There are other drugs that are in the same line but are for seizures and that helps some with the nerve pain. Some companies can create a cream that you put on your feet, my podiatrist does this, and it includes pain relieving meds including gabapentin and etc. I hope this helps. I find heat helps me most. I use heated insoles in my shoes and that's about the only thing that helps my feet, except at times the heat can also make it worse, I guess when it's over-heated. Please tell me if you find anything that helps you. I would appreciate it.
Great information. Very helpful from you both. If I find anything thatvworks for me, I will certainly pass it on. The last thing I want is more doctors appointments, tests and drugs, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess. Oh how I wish there was a cure.