neuropathy in hands...soome relief

[irish]

I have been having such neuropathy in my hands the last 11 months. It has come and gone and some days been almost unbearable. I have had the spinal fusion and then the carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve decompression and still have symptoms.


I had a bad pinched nerve in my neck that was caught actually by accident as I had no bad or neck pain or headaches and pain started just weeks prior to fusion. Also, my carpal tunnel surgery was second onn left hand and very invasive. Both specialists told me that my surgeries may not give me as much relief as I would expect and the basic premise for these surgeries was hopefully to have improvement but most of all prevent further damage.

Trying to keyboard is miserable and even doing a little work around the house causes pain. I do a lot of warm packs and cold packs. The cold packs help the most which makes me thing that a lot of my problems may be inflammatory in nature.

I happened on something that gives me some relief. Right now I cant do the Neurontin as even a low dose stones me and makes me a really high risk for falls. It is interacting with many of my other drugs.l I started wearing vinyl gloves off and on. The clear ones that come in a box at Walmart. Low and behold they help.What I think happens is they cause a little pressure on the skin on my hands and this decreases or changes the type of stimulus that aggravates the neuropathy.

These gloves are probably about a size 7-8 and fit a little snuggly. They decrease the pain when I keyboard also...just enough to let me get some done. I have also learned that I am not sweating inside these gloves which did not surprise me as I also have the tiny salt crystals build up on my hands periodically during the day. REally weird sensation and I can even see them sparkle a little in the sunlight. I am in need of a tune up.

I have to have a colonoscopy and esophagascopy this next week and am working up to haveing my right hand have the carpal tunnel for the second time plus the added ulnar nerve decompression. My Sjogrens really affects my tendons according to my hand surgeon. Just thought the glove idea may help someone else Good luck to all of you. Irish

[Livingwithsjs]

Thanks for the tips, I will have to try that, when I first had neuropathy it scared me, now I guess I've gotten used to it ?, still don't like it tho

[Carolina]

Oh, Dearest Irish,

To lose keyboarding would be so isolating.  And we would suffer losing your brilliance and kindness.

This is one tough m..........r of a disease.

I know what a number neurontin can do, but it is my salvation, for profound Small Fiber Neuropathy.  In fact, I'm asking to increase from 3600 mg a day to 4800 because I have breakthrough pain and burning in the middle of the night. 

I want to take 1200 mg more when I get up in the night.  That would stop the misery that sometimes keep me from sleeping.  I've been taking the Gabapentin from my morning meds in the middle of the night, but then suffer later.  The Gabapentin seems to last only about 6 hours.

I walk with a walker because of the Profound Peripheral Neuropathy, and wear a medical alert device at all times except when sleeping.  That's when I recharge the device.  My husband is next to me at night, so can hear me if I call for help when up for my bathroom visit.

I have amazing relief from osteoarthritis pain (Cervical, shoulder) and general myalgia now that I have Low Dose Naltrexone, 6 mg at night and 3 mg in the morning.

I know so many fear medications and medical procedures, but they are giving me some quality of life, for now.

Sending loving thoughts and prayers for you, Irish.

Love, Elaine

[SjoGirl]

Oh my heart breaks for you . . . so many challenges, this included. May you find some peace even if only for a short while.