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Vent about Permanent Neuropathy

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Comments

  • annie60
    annie60 Posts: 299

    7 years out from starting treatment and my toes and pads of my feet are numb, painful and a source of great aggravation. I take gabapentin and it helps some. I have discovered toe less compression socks. These have been a game changer, especially at night. I cannot bear to wear shoes or socks but the toes less socks are comfortable. If it wasn't for my feet, I would actually feel normal again.

  • kamboka
    kamboka Posts: 1,114

    Annie60: So sorry about the neuropathy. I'm five years out and the pain, especially at night, has gotten worse. I don't take a high dose of gabapentin but what I take doesn't help. The only thing that can get me so hours of sleep is toe warmers. I get them off Amazon and they stay warm all night. Some get too hot and others only stay warm and hour or so. This is the brand that has worked best for me: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792Y1G3P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

    Good luck!

  • annie60
    annie60 Posts: 299

    kamboka - thank you for the advice. My feet hurt more when they are hot. I usually put my feet on an ice pack when they burn so badly. I sleep with my feet out from under the cover with a fan on them.

  • clinty
    clinty Posts: 4

    I'm four years out and have often said the same thing…if the neuropathy was gone or lessened my quality of life would be so much better. I absolutely hate socks so I'm going to try your suggestion of toeless socks. I wear Hoka sneakers to work out and love them. But for the most part I only wear Oofos and I swear by them. When I wear the Oofos slides I have almost no sensation of neuropathy-I literally wear them all day. At night, I take a gummy with 7mg THC and that helps calm things. I also rub Vicks on my feet every night before I go to bed-a cheap a very helpful fix.

  • kamboka
    kamboka Posts: 1,114

    Sometimes, I want to cut my feet off. 😣 I have chronic insomnia for 30 years and with my feet burning, no sleep for me. I'd like to try the ice packs but they don't stay cool very long. Sometimes the hotties work and some times they don't. I've tried a "million" creams but not Vick's. I've been wanting to try the new treatment for diabetic neuropathy of the 30x stronger capsaicin. I need to find a podiatrist to do it and I've not looked for one yet. They have to do it in the clinic since it's toxic d/t the strength.

  • clinty
    clinty Posts: 4

    I tried so many creams and oils too and for whatever reason Vicks calms things down. Maybe it's the combination of Vicks and gummies. It seems to keep my feet from the constant restlessness that starts up as soon as I start to fall asleep. I agree, sometimes I just can't stand it but I know it's never going to get better. I did acupuncture too-don't think it did anything. That's interesting about the capsaicin -I hadn't heard about that.

  • kamboka
    kamboka Posts: 1,114

    clinty: My heating pads have not been helping much lately. I am under a lot of stress. Today, I bought some cream that is 16% menthol. I think most creams are only 5%. What is in Vick's? I'm going to try it for the next few days and see. I used to do an epsom salts foot soak on some nights before going to bed. It felt really good but the good feeling did not last too long. I still wash them in warm water every night so it helps to fall asleep. The problem is that the blood flows to them as I'm horizontal and starts the pain. If I could sleep with my feet dangling down, it would be better. 😄 I also tried acupuncture but it didn't seem to help much.

  • clinty
    clinty Posts: 4

    Hi- there is camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol in Vicks. I'm guessing the menthol is what helps. I was on Gabapentin initially and then Horizant (an extended release Gabapentin) for pain but took myself off them. I don't know if this would help but I wear Oofos slides pretty much all day until I go to bed-I think the design really helps to take pressure off my feet, and reduce the pain. I also stretch my feet and calves with resistance bands.

    It just never ends does it?

  • kamboka
    kamboka Posts: 1,114

    clinty: I tried the rub last night and I didn't see a major difference but I'll try a few more nights as I had to do the rub several times. I take 600mg of Gabapentin but it doesn't help. I convinced myself that the Gaba would help me sleep but I still get up about three times a night. If I can find the time and/or money, I'll see about finding a podiatrist to try the extra strength capsaicin treatment. I'm not sure what else to do. I've tried the CBD, arnica, and lots of other stuff without success.

  • clinty
    clinty Posts: 4

    You've tried so many things-many if which I've tried to! I know the feeling and I'm so sorry. Gabapentin helped me but I didn't like the side effects-I'm sure you feel the same way.

  • kamboka
    kamboka Posts: 1,114

    Hang in there!