Visit with T today

Hi Erin.....

I'm taking it three times a day, and so far, it's not doing very much..........but we'll see how it goes. I really wish I could stop taking all this stuff - I feel like a pharmacy.

Thanks again.

Mary Alice

Hi Mary Alice,

When did you start taking the Neurontin? Has it been very long? I know the feeling of taking so many medications. It can be hard. But if you can find something that helps with the pain, that can reduce the depression also....chronic pain can deepen depression. Are you seeing a pain management physician? May I ask what is wrong with your leg? Is it something like sciatica, or peripheral neuropathy? I hope you'll forgive me for asking. I have trigeminal neuralgia, which is a severe nerve pain syndrome in my face, along with other things (I have sciatica also).

Take care,
ErinBear

AGGH! "trigeminal neuralgia" I had that for about 6 months about 10 years ago. Horrible. Like pressing thumb tacks thru your skin into cheek bones. It spread to all kinds of neurological weirdness: other puncture pains, numbness in hands/legs, inability to swallow properly, inability to start/stop pee properly. My doctor thought I was in the beginning of multiple sclerosis. That was one of the worst times of my life. I looked at every person on crutches or wheelchair and just knew I would be there soon. Then it slowly got 99% better. Today there are tiny recurrances, but I don't worry about it lasting forever.

Some here mentioned swallowing problems recently. I don't recall who and wanted to reply. You should definately see a doctor about this. It can be an early sign of MS or other perhaps a neuro toxin.

Hi Erin.........a couple of weeks now. They are not sure exactly what is wrong with it, simply nerve damage from the surgery. They thought I had a blood clot, but they did an ultrasound and an xray, and found nothing ( they did that in the upper thigh area). The knee itself hurts, and to touch it sends me up to the ceiling. Below the knee is numb - definitely a diff sensation when touched vs. my other leg. The upper section still hurts and is very tender. I have an appt. on the 8th with my primary doc about it - maybe he can figure out what it is. Unless I am taking my pain meds, I can hardly walk and even just laying down it still hurts badly.

Thanks

Mary Alice

Mary Alice,
I feel bad for you. REcovery from surgery really sucks. I had surgery on my foot and it took months before the worst pain subsided. I do know that the numbness and tingling is common. It took a year for the right side of my foot to gain normal feeling and when touched it felt tingly and almost painful.
Hope they can figure out whats going on and get you some relief.
Hugs,
Heidu

Every path to a new understanding begins in confusion- Mason Cooley

Thanks Heidu {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Its not like they even took bone graft from that hip, they used the scar tissue that had built up. My previous surgery they took from my right hip and I limped for awhile. I understood that - this isn't the same type of pain, more intense. :::::::scratchin head::::::::::::::: something has to give,

Mary Alice

Hi Kvinneakt -

So sorry to hear you had trigeminal neuralgia too....that's awful. No, I don't have MS - that was ruled out early on. I've had TN since 1991 or so, and I have it on both sides of my face. It's just the way it is.... Hope you're doing better now, though. Sounds like you had a frightening group of symptoms.

Take care,
ErinBear

Hi Mary Alice,

I'm so sorry to hear of the problems you've been having with your leg. I have a little better understanding of it now. Was your leg surgery fairly recent? From what you're saying, it sounds like you've had a series of leg surgeries. I'm sorry you've gone through so much. If the pain in your leg really is nerve-related, you may benefit from consulting either a neurologist or, probably better yet, a pain management specialist who has a background in neurology (many do). Your primary care doctor can probably refer you. The Neurontin could still work for you, I would think, and I would imagine many doctors would ask you to stay on it at least a little longer if you can tolerate the side effects. There may be other medications and treatments that could help.

Also if the drowsiness continues to be too great of a problem, talk with your doctor about the possibility of altering the dosage or the administration schedule. There may be a way to change the way you're taking it, or the dose (even temporarily) that could help.

I don't know if any of this helps or not but I'm sure thinking of you and sending good wishes your way.

Take care,
ErinBear