Peripheral Neuropathy and some major eye-openers

yipeee — Tue, 08 May 2007 02:35:58 +0200

I'm learning so much at that message board I've posted about in my previous blog entries that I felt it was time for another update.

It seems that most doctors and even the Neuro docs that are supposed to be specialists regarding PN (Peripheral Neuropathy) know less than many of the people on that forum! Mind boggling. For instance, my Neuro didn't do even near all the tests he should have to find out what's really causing my PN. He did the very least he could: Blood tests to rule out auto-immune type problems among others; and a nerver condution study, which for those that have never had one, they attach elctrodes and such to certain areas to trace the nerve path and then shoot a 'mild' current through the nerve path to measure nerve function and responses. Mild is in the eye of the person being tested. After these he simply put me on Gabapentin (generic Neurontin) which was a huge mistake for *me*. Warning: Gabapenting may cause suicidal derpression. It did this to me. It is also known to deplete B-12 . Oh lovely. The Neuro treats my symptoms without knowing the real cause of the PN. On top of it he gives me a drug guaranteed to cause, over time if not sooner, the exact same symptoms he gave me the drug for in the first place! With me here? I finally get fed up. I *had* to quit the Gabapentin. Which left me worse off than pre-Gabapentin. The pain was the worst it had ever been. Some 'cure' huh?

That's how I found the forum. Attempting to learn more about my condition. That's been my lifesaver! Right now I probably know more about PN than any doctor I've been seen for this thus far.

As for the B-vitamins? It's actually curing my PN. 36 days after beginning the B-complex and especially the B-12 I'm to the point of having days at a time with *no* symptoms at all. No more spleeping problems. It's been such a blessing! As anyone that has suffered from PN can tell you you learn to treasure the pain free periods, *if* you have them, no matter how long or short they are.

I believe I'm an exception. I'm not sure how long it's taken others taking the same treatment route I have to show positive results. I'd love to hear from anyone that has. You can leave me a comment below or send it here (you must be a site registered user to use my contact page). In your email, please let me know if I may post quotations in my blog.

Better Wyrlds