Hi MrsMoogles ...

Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing? It really confused me when you said you were being taken off Elavil cold turkey ... I've taken Amitriptylin (a generic) for 20 years and know for a fact that I'd have to be weaned off!

I also have Diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Since research says we usually have Diabetes for upwards of 8 years before we're even diagnosed and my neuropathy started about then (my DX wasn't until 11-28-07), I believe it! Once I did have the diagnosis, my doctor started me on Neurontin.

I also have that swollen feeling like my feet are encased in a huge bucket of concrete, along with the burning sensations. Not fun! Last February, I developed something called Drop Foot. That's where you can't lift your foot and it "drops" ... and it was in both feet. I had the tests with the ... sorry ... needles. It's not TOO painful but I won't kid you that it was a walk in the park either. Basically, the Neurologist and the Neurosurgeon both said I'd have paralysed feet forever and there was <u>nothing</u> they could do. I took it as a Challenge!

I started to take Alpha Lipoic Acid ... ALA ... at a friend's suggestion. ALA is a universal antioxident which keeps the vitamins C, E, and A (I think) going thru your system longer. One of the major side effects for many of us is some relief from the pain of neuropathy! In my case, I swear it's the main reason I can now lift my feet and I'm even getting rid of one of my braces next month! (Oh, Happy Day!) ALA is over the counter and relatively inexpensive. Your doctor might not know much about it, but you still need to ask before taking it, OK? My doctor didn't know about it either, so I brought him articles before he'd OK it ... now he's VERY impressed with my progress and suggests ALA to his other patients.

BTW, congratulations of getting your A1C down! That will help the neuropathy, as well as making you feel better. I know it's difficult but SO worth the effort. Mine was 10.9 a year ago and my last A1C was 5.6. I'm proud of me ... and the weight loss has helped me physically AND mentally! If you ever need someone to talk with, please let me know? I honestly believe getting control of my Diabetes saved my life.

Take care and don't worry about the tests! You'll do just fine!

GoodMama