[karenmaefury]

Looking for a Doctor's name or procedure or anything that has helped with Neuropathy in the feet. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

Karen

[John_W]

I had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands in 2003, I went to a neurologist and he administered a sort of painful nerve test in both arms that took about 2 hours. They put hollow needles in each arm so they can hear and it goes to machine and he analyzes the nerves after he sends electric shocks through your arms.

I had surgery in both hands, there is a band in the wrist that wraps around the 3 major nerves to the hands, and it has pinched off the nerves. They will go in through the palm and cut the band releasing the pressure and with spontaneous regeneration the band will grow back at a bigger diameter over time. The pain all went away and I only have some very slight numbness at the tip of a couple of fingers.

Two Years later in 2005 I started getting a similar numbness in my feet and severe pain when I slept. Once again I referred to a neurologist and he did a similar test to my legs, but not as painful and only about 30 minutes. He said you have diabetic neuropathy in both feet. Unlike your hands we cannot operate and fix the problem.

I was prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin is the generic version) 300 mg. I could take up to 9 capsules a day, or 2700 mg's. It works on the brain by creating electrical impulses that will mask the pain to the brain. I found I don't have the pain during the day and only took a couple at bedtime. Eventually I started getting nightmares really bad, which was a side-effect. I also take 500 mg of Metformin twice a day, a drug for diabetes. Finally after about ten years, that was five years ago, I could quit taking the drug because of the nightmares and the pain had gone away. Even after I stopped the medication, the pain has stopped to the extent that I might be bad pain just 2 or 3 times a year when sleeping. In which I take a bandage wrap and wrap my foot and the pain will stop.

I was given a new doctor by The Villages Health System at Brownwood and just last week I had my initial visit with her. She gave a very quick test of both feet and said your feet are doing great. I told her I walk 4 miles, 75 minutes three days a week at MVP on the treadmill. She said to keep that up, that circulation is what is helping you. I started playing golf again in 2009 and walking the golf course and riding a bike prior to starting on the treadmill, which I started six years ago when I joined MVP.

I would advise you to just tell your family physician and he would first set you up with a neurologist for testing. From there your family doctor will prescribe the medications, you don't need a specialist, a podiatrist I've been to, but they really don't do anything special since there is no surgery to repair damaged nerves. Hopefully this will help you.

[karenmaefury]

Originally Posted by John_W

I had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands in 2003, I went to a neurologist and he administered a sort of painful nerve test in both arms that took about 2 hours. They put hollow needles in each arm so they can hear and it goes to machine and he analyzes the nerves after he sends electric shocks through your arms.

I had surgery in both hands, there is a band in the wrist that wraps around the 3 major nerves to the hands, and it has pinched off the nerves. They will go in through the palm and cut the band releasing the pressure and with spontaneous regeneration the band will grow back at a bigger diameter over time. The pain all went away and I only have some very slight numbness at the tip of a couple of fingers.

Two Years later in 2005 I started getting a similar numbness in my feet and severe pain when I slept. Once again I referred to a neurologist and he did a similar test to my legs, but not as painful and only about 30 minutes. He said you have diabetic neuropathy in both feet. Unlike your hands we cannot operate and fix the problem.

I was prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin is the generic version) 300 mg. I could take up to 9 capsules a day, or 2700 mg's. It works on the brain by creating electrical impulses that will mask the pain to the brain. I found I don't have the pain during the day and only took a couple at bedtime. Eventually I started getting nightmares really bad, which was a side-effect. I also take 500 mg of Metformin twice a day, a drug for diabetes. Finally after about ten years, that was five years ago, I could quit taking the drug because of the nightmares and the pain had gone away. Even after I stopped the medication, the pain has stopped to the extent that I might be bad pain just 2 or 3 times a year when sleeping. In which I take a bandage wrap and wrap my foot and the pain will stop.

I was given a new doctor by The Villages Health System at Brownwood and just last week I had my initial visit with her. She gave a very quick test of both feet and said your feet are doing great. I told her I walk 4 miles, 75 minutes three days a week at MVP on the treadmill. She said to keep that up, that circulation is what is helping you. I started playing golf again in 2009 and walking the golf course and riding a bike prior to starting on the treadmill, which I started six years ago when I joined MVP.

I would advise you to just tell your family physician and he would first set you up with a neurologist for testing. From there your family doctor will prescribe the medications, you don't need a specialist, a podiatrist I've been to, but they really don't do anything special since there is no surgery to repair damaged nerves. Hopefully this will help you.

You were very helpful and I thank so much for taking the time to answer me. I believe walking is THE KEY! I have run many, many marathons in past years but no longer perform those. Safer on your knees!