Overrun

 

 

"Breakthrough Pain"

Canon G7x Mark II
Snapseed
Tangled FX
Stackables
Brushstroke

I've had idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in both feet for 30 years. The first time I told my PCP about it, he told me that I was "Hunting for Zebras in the tall grass." He's no longer my PCP. Subsequent tests by a neurologist confirmed what I already knew. Doc's don't know why I have neuropathy (hence the term idopathic..). Perhaps it was from exposure to heavy metals as a child. Maybe there is a genetic component.. Whatever the source - the result has been decades of chronic pain (mostly at night), and foot numbness which can effect balance.  I've tried lots of remedies, both mainline western medicine approaches and "alternative" approaches.  I've tried ibuprofen and weed and mindfulness.. Nothing really has helped. I've been reluctant until now to try the heavy-duty meds to control the pain, but recent events have forced my hand. For the past month or so, I have had waaaaay too many sleepless nights because of pain in my feet. The pains have a number of manifestations, feet-on-fire, feet-being-stuck-by-pins-n-needles, feet-having-railroad-spikes-driven-into-them, and my favorite, feet-being-bitten-by-a-beaver. Sometimes when the pain comes, I am completely overrun and have only the tools of stomping my foot/feet on the floor and repeating "Mo-ther-FUCK-er" over and over. So - I've stopped trying to tough it out. I talked to my PCP (a young dude who loves to swear - which I Fucking Love..) about it and he has me started on relatively low dose of an anti-convulsant - gabapentin.. Gabapentin has been shown to be quite effective in dealing with nerve pain. Our goal is to use the lowest dose possible to attain some relief.. High dose gabapentin is fraught with unsavory side effects like depression and weight gain (already have those two covered..).. Early results are uneven, but with promise.. Last night for instance I slept like a lamb..    We'll see I guess..  ~