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Thread: Neuropathy

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    Default Neuropathy

    Does anyone here suffer from Neuropathy ?

    I waited a long time to retire and since I have , I have been having problems with Neuropathy . I'm not a diabetic . I can push myself through some of the pain but an extended hike would be tuff . I want to start hiking the AT in sections . That has always been my goal .

    Finding good doctors for treatment has been impossible . Does anyone know a remedy or at least somthing to make the pain more bearable ? I'm sure I'm not alone with this condition .

    Tom aka Gonzo

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    Neuropathy is a term used for a broad array of nerve problems both voluntary and involuntary; both sensory and motor. Since you mentioned "pain" I would assume it is primarily a sensory issue in your case. If you can find a health care provider who actually cares that might be your best bet. Sometimes even simple changes in diet can make a difference. Usually neuropathies can't be reversed, but if the underlying cause can be discovered corrective action can be taken so it does not worsen. I'm not sure a message board for a bunch of hikers is a good place to get an answer.

    Growing old is not for sissies ... we all experience a range of maladies.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gonegonzo View Post
    Does anyone here suffer from Neuropathy ?

    I waited a long time to retire and since I have , I have been having problems with Neuropathy . I'm not a diabetic . I can push myself through some of the pain but an extended hike would be tuff . I want to start hiking the AT in sections . That has always been my goal .

    Finding good doctors for treatment has been impossible . Does anyone know a remedy or at least somthing to make the pain more bearable ? I'm sure I'm not alone with this condition .

    Tom aka Gonzo
    I think morton's neuroma is one form of neuropathy. Ice or cold water stops the pain, as does rest. I recently saw some exercises to help resolve morton's neuroma but haven't tried them. I have been told injections are an option but have read advice against them (dr internet).

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    Just love being outside, not sure why. 765 AT miles done (2014-2018), many more to go.

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    You mention treatment so I don't know whether you have received a formal diagnosis or any investigation into potential causes. However, if not, it might be worth asking a Doctor to check your B12 levels. I'm not a Doctor but just thought I'd mention it since I was found to be B12 deficient after developing neuropathy symptoms two years ago and B12 supplementation seems to have helped in my case.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Slumgum View Post
    Neuropathy is a term used for a broad array of nerve problems both voluntary and involuntary; both sensory and motor. Since you mentioned "pain" I would assume it is primarily a sensory issue in your case. If you can find a health care provider who actually cares that might be your best bet. Sometimes even simple changes in diet can make a difference. Usually neuropathies can't be reversed, but if the underlying cause can be discovered corrective action can be taken so it does not worsen. I'm not sure a message board for a bunch of hikers is a good place to get an answer.

    Growing old is not for sissies ... we all experience a range of maladies.
    Depending on where and how your "neuropathy" manifests, you may have a skeletal/spinal issue. An impingement on nerve(s) is possible.
    humor is the gadfly on the corpse of tragedy

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    If you cannot find a doctor, then don't hike until you find one. You can cause yourself irreversible damage. Neuropathy has many causes and diabetes is only one of them .

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    I've been to the Cleveland Clinic trying to get relief . They told me it was not reversible and to see my family doctor for medications for the pain . He prescribed Gabapentin but it didn't help .

    My Neuropathy stems from working construction climbing on cold steel and standing on cold concrete for 8 hour plus days in the winter time .

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    Quote Originally Posted by gonegonzo View Post
    I've been to the Cleveland Clinic trying to get relief . They told me it was not reversible and to see my family doctor for medications for the pain . He prescribed Gabapentin but it didn't help .

    My Neuropathy stems from working construction climbing on cold steel and standing on cold concrete for 8 hour plus days in the winter time .
    Have you followed up at all after the gabapentin was first prescribed? A dose adjustment could be the ticket. What about a pain clinic evaluation. There are other ways to treat your symptoms that are not "traditional" but may help, have you tried any alternative remedies?

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    [QUOTE=gonegonzo;2236387]I've been to the Cleveland Clinic trying to get relief . They told me it was not reversible and to see my family doctor for medications for the pain . He prescribed Gabapentin but it didn't help .

    In my experience as a RN, pregabalin (lyrica) is the most common medication to treat neuropathy. But it is a controlled substance, so some doctors may be reluctant to prescribe it. Also, pain is a very complex condition. See if you can get a referral for a pain specialist doctor, especially before hiking.
    Last edited by stephanD; 02-01-2019 at 14:46.

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    Lyrica is not used as much as gabapentin for non-diabetic neuropathy. I am only reluctant to prescribe it because insurance coverage is often an issue. The fact that it's controlled is not a barrier to me prescribing it. (Family doctor)

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    Quote Originally Posted by trailmercury View Post
    Lyrica is not used as much as gabapentin for non-diabetic neuropathy. I am only reluctant to prescribe it because insurance coverage is often an issue. The fact that it's controlled is not a barrier to me prescribing it. (Family doctor)
    Good point. Most of my previous patients (I'm not in med-surg anymore) were diabetic patients. Also, i worked in a public state hospital, so insurance was not an issue, as almost everybody was on medicaid. Anyhow, my advice for the OP is the same, that he should consult a pain specialist, especially if he plans hiking.
    Last edited by stephanD; 02-01-2019 at 15:17.

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    Not to cloud the issue, but..... some medications have a side effect of neuropathy. It can come on very gradually and therefore be difficult to diagnose as a side effect versus a separate malady. Statin drugs had this effect with my Dad, it reversed completely when he went of the meds. Another thing to research and discuss with your doctor. Best to you and your hiking goals!

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    Stephan , I'll check in to see a pain specialist . I never considered it before your mentioning it .

    Kestral , Are you saying that other meds have a side effect that reacts like Neuropathy ? Do you know what meds they were ? By the way , we were neighbors about 12 years ago . I used to live in Palm Bay .

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    Quote Originally Posted by gonegonzo View Post
    Stephan , I'll check in to see a pain specialist . I never considered it before your mentioning it .

    Kestral , Are you saying that other meds have a side effect that reacts like Neuropathy ? Do you know what meds they were ? By the way , we were neighbors about 12 years ago . I used to live in Palm Bay .
    So you moved from Florida to Ohio? it is usually the other way around... Good luck

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    sorry I have no idea about that issue, except to say I would really wonder if a naturalpath (i think is what they're called) might do some good. I used to think chiropractic was a bunch of sillyness, but I've come to find great value in it for some things. As a mechanical engineer aI have to say that it just makes good sense in many ways. Often they share offices with acupuncturist (my wife swears by that method for her back pain relieve by the way), and acupuncturists also often seem to be heavy into herbal medicine, nutritional considerations and such.

    I think a lot of that makes so much sense for general health. I just wish it was easier to pull together into a comprehensive program....both in a logistical sense and insurance/payment sense too. I would love to find either an individual doc, or a group, that blends all of these things together along with traditional western medicine.... like an MD or DO, an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, a nutritionist, and herbal med doc, etc...

    Anyway, when I hear about folks with these more "obscure" issues like yours I really have to wonder if these alternative methods might be a great solution. Just seems so hard to pull together.

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    Quick internet search pulled up this list https://mcvitaminshealthproducts.com...-of-neuropathy . Ironically, meds for treatment of neuropathy can exacerbate it! Not fair.

    It does make sense that the anti statins can worsen nerve damage as nerves are coated by a layer of cells mostly made of fat. So much conflicting info out there. All meds can have side effects, even vitamin supplements. Not everyone has every side effect.

    Medicine is science, ruling out differential diagnosis, trial and error, art, and a splash of luck. Always new information out there. Dr Berry said it best “half of what you learn in medical school is wrong, the trick is to figure out which half”. Don’t go off any meds without discussing with your doc. Some meds need to be weaned off or switched to prevent complications. I try to aim for minimal meds, maximum nutrition, moderate excercise. I don’t always succeed (currently eating cookies while on I pad while laying in bed)

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    Not a cure. And not some hippie hiker stuff.

    Try CBD gummies for 90 days consistently. The medicinal properties of CBD are excellent.

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  18. #18

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    I and many other folks got caught by the so called minor side effect from statins of sore swollen feet and screwed up joints. The drug companies and medical establishment downplay it but some studies indicate that up to 30% of folks taking statins (Zocor, Crestor Lioptor Etc). have it as a side effect. I used to have to go up one size of shoes for a couple of days after hiking as my feet would be swollen up so much. Felt like someone had pounded on my feet and my skin would be drum tight around my ankles and feet. My elbows would swell up with fluid and they had to drain them every few months and my doctor was sure I had carpal tunnel in my wrists. I knew a couple of folks who had to quit jobs due to statins as they couldnt walk. I have also run into several hikers who had to stop hiking. Once they stopped taking statins, the problems went away in a few weeks. Every time they come up with a new statin they say it has less side effects and some of the latest ones do seem to have less but they have other side effects like loss of mental clarity and for some folks like me an odd type of sleep disorder. Note the side effects do not happen right away it slowly builds up over weeks or months so a lot of folks do not make the connection.

    There is a genetic basis for some statin intolerence but the US medical industry would rather keep pushing the profitable drugs. Most of the studies are paid for by the drug companies and of course they come to the conclusion that any side effects are minor. Even if you have moderate high cholesterol there is a test called ultraprecise CRP which measures the amount of inflammation in your blood, it you have high inflammation you are out of luck but if you have low then there is less need to aggressively treat the cholesterol.

    It would be great it if was as simple as a drug side effect that but sounds like it an occupational related disability.
    Last edited by peakbagger; 02-01-2019 at 21:08.

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    Quote Originally Posted by peakbagger View Post
    I and many other folks got caught by the so called minor side effect from statins of sore swollen feet and screwed up joints. The drug companies and medical establishment downplay it but some studies indicate that up to 30% of folks taking statins (Zocor, Crestor Lioptor Etc). have it as a side effect. I used to have to go up one size of shoes for a couple of days after hiking as my feet would be swollen up so much. Felt like someone had pounded on my feet and my skin would be drum tight around my ankles and feet. My elbows would swell up with fluid and they had to drain them every few months and my doctor was sure I had carpal tunnel in my wrists. I knew a couple of folks who had to quit jobs due to statins as they couldnt walk. I have also run into several hikers who had to stop hiking. Once they stopped taking statins, the problems went away in a few weeks. Every time they come up with a new statin they say it has less side effects and some of the latest ones do seem to have less but they have other side effects like loss of mental clarity and for some folks like me an odd type of sleep disorder. Note the side effects do not happen right away it slowly builds up over weeks or months so a lot of folks do not make the connection.

    There is a genetic basis for some statin intolerence but the US medical industry would rather keep pushing the profitable drugs. Most of the studies are paid for by the drug companies and of course they come to the conclusion that any side effects are minor. Even if you have moderate high cholesterol there is a test called ultraprecise CRP which measures the amount of inflammation in your blood, it you have high inflammation you are out of luck but if you have low then there is less need to aggressively treat the cholesterol.

    It would be great it if was as simple as a drug side effect that but sounds like it an occupational related disability.
    just curious...when you were taking the statins and having these reactions were you also taking co Q 10?
    I've been on a statin for several years now without any known issues. I had a doc try it once sometime earlier and I had some sort of minor reaction. I honestly don't remember what it was exactly, just some seemingly monor weird feeling so the doc had me stop. Years later and a different doc had me try it along with co Q 10. As I understand it, the statins have an effect of reducing this enzyme level in your body, so supplementing offsets it. I still don't like the iddea of taking this thing...or anything really long term...but it's one of those things....

  20. #20

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    co Q 10 did not make a difference for me. Many folks can tolerate statins well and maybe coQ10 will help some although unbiased research seems to be sketchy. There may be a placebo effect and it cant hurt so many doctors dont mind patients taking supplements if it keeps them on the statins.

    My dad was involved with a study by a doctor on statin intolerance and genetic factors. People with french canadian heritage like myself (which is quite popular in the Northeast) have a higher chance of statin intolerance along low HDL which leads to low LDL to HDL ratios.

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