Rachel,
Go to Neuropathy.org and check the info there. Also they have a site to
locate docs in your area that treats neuropathy.

I went the gammet of local docs before going to Kansas City. Most of them
said they didn't know what to do. The podiatrist suggested taking massive
dosages of Celebrex. I didn't do this. Glad I didn't now.

My MD perscribed gabapentin but started me out on 300 mg. It didn't agree
with me so I stopped it. The neuro I saw in KC put me back on it, but
started me with 100 mg three times a day and then I increased dosage to the
point I got relief. I now take 600 mg in the morning and 1200mg at night.

I would suggest you start taking it. See how it works. If you have a problem
with it, have the doc adjust your dosage and try again. It is the only thing
I found that helps. I am not totally pain free but mostly I am. I also use
Lidoderm pain patches when I know I'll be on my feet a lot.

My symptoms were much like yours. I wasn't diagnosed with diabetes at that
time. As a matter of fact, I had the electric shock for over 20 years before
it got worse. One podiatrist said the same thing your doc said - you have to
be diabetic to have neuropathy. Boy, he needs to go back to school or read
his professional journals. The one that said that was my daughter's
podiatrist so she thought I was making this all up. My problems stem from
lower back injuries and scaring around the nerves. My doc finally diagnosed
my problem as peripheral neuropathy and told me I had to learn to live with
it.

One thing that helps me is relaxation therapy. I sit in my recliner with my
feet up on three pillows plus the footrest. Tip back and just focus on slow
steady breathing for about 15-20 min.

My children are finally beginning to accept the fact that sometimes I will
need a scooter. Sometimes I won't leave the house, and sometimes I need to
keep my feet elevated. AND they are sloooowly beginning to accept the
handicap tag on my car. My husband has become very supportive and is helping
in searching for things that give relief.

Sorry I wrote a small book, hope it helps you. YOu can email me anytime if
you need to chat and need extra support.

Sunny

----- Original Message -----
From: <Peripheral_Neuropathy@yahoogroups.com>
To: <Peripheral_Neuropathy@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 3:11 AM
Subject: [Peripheral_Neuropathy] Digest Number 172


>
>
> There are 2 messages in this issue.
>
> Topics in this digest:
>
> 1. suffering since Sept 6 need any advice please
> From: "rachelgariepy" <rachelgariepy@...>
> 2. Re: suffering since Sept 6 need any advice please
> From: SEASIDERS@...
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 02 Dec 2004 23:40:28 -0000
> From: "rachelgariepy" <rachelgariepy@...>
> Subject: suffering since Sept 6 need any advice please
>
>
> My problem started by waking me up at 3 in the morning with a sharp
> electrical like pain that was excrutiating in my right outer foot. I
> had never experienced such pain or type of pain I was having. I went
> to the hospital and they could not tell me what it was they just
> prescribe pain killers that did nothing to help me. I went to my
> doctor later that week because I kept getting zapped in my foot. She
> refered me to a neurologist who said he does not know why I have
> this problem since I am not diabetic. He prescribed pms-gabapentin
> which I have not started to take yet...I am afraid to start the
> medication. I get different pains now since my original first
> episode with this. I now get burning and sore pressure like walking
> on buble wrap when I'm sitting. I also starting to get pain in my
> other foot too. It's like very painfull needles in my foot. Why is
> this happening to me? Any thoughts? I did have a flu like episode
> before this started and did also have a filling that broke and I was
> eating the mercury that was breaking up slowly. I am trying to find
> out why this has started. Any thoughts out there? Anything thougths
> would be appreciated I am 46 yeard old female. Thanks to all that
> reply. Regards, Rachel
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 20:35:22 EST
> From: SEASIDERS@...
> Subject: Re: suffering since Sept 6 need any advice please
>
> You do not have to be diabetic to have neuropathy..I am pretty sure of
> that..regretfully what is being diagnosed as neuropathy can have many
different
> faces..some are put on sleeping pills which helped me a lot..I also take
a high
> dose of Neurontin and if I do not take a dose I can tell..I do the web
page
> for our local group..maybe something on here will help you..visit my
> Christmas page too..
>
> _Azalea Coast Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group_
> (http://www.geocities.com/azaleacoastfriends/pnsg.html)
>
> _Christmas 2004_ (http://www.mudfacemarge.com/Xmas.html)
>
>
> [This message contained attachments]
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
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>
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>