Please let me say how much I appreciate all of your input to my questions about our battle against the beast. My question today has to do with the neuropathy I have in my feet that began after I completed my chemo in May of 2021. I am taking seven pills of gabapentin a day for total of 300 MG.
I'm sure it helps, however, I still have the feeling of pins and needles in my feet when I walk or exercise. No pins and needles, thankfully, while I'm sleeping.
My neurologist seems to think that this will be a permanent situation. That is discouraging; however, I'm so blessed to have been able to fight the beast for starting 21 years now. My question is, have any of you had any success with any drugs or vitamins to help alleviate the pins and needles that you experience with neuropathy in your feet.
Sorry to hear you have this problem. 300 mg of gabapentin is a low dose. The dose of Gabapentin could go to 3000 mg/day. Discuss doubling the Gabapentin dose and take it in 3 doses of 200 mg each.
Discuss with your doctor to change to pregabalin. It is more expensive but the insurance may cover it. Some people respond better to pregabalin than to gabapentin.
You could also discuss taking gabapentin 600 mg 3 times a day and 300 mg a bedtime. Perhaps you could achieve a higher peak and troughs level of gabapentin than taking 300 mg 7 times a day.
I had some neuropathy during chemotherapy. Acupuncture, including electrical stimulation of the nerves in my feet (by connecting a device to the acupuncture needles) seemed to help reduce the sensation significantly.
You might discuss Lyrica with your doctor, which seems more effective. I had a similar issue which was causing me not to sleep. I used Gabapentin and now Lyrica. My neuropathy ended when I developed nerve damage from an SBRT radiation treatment and it was all in my left leg. Given the paralysis I now have in my left foot, I think I would vote for having neuropathy. I also has great success with cannabis edibles. The effects lasted for almost three months without taking any doses in between.
These should be available at any cannabis shop. Remember, everyone is different but after trying several varieties, this is what worked for me. Hope it works for you!
Ask your doctor to switch you to pregabalin. They are both generic, but pregabalin has a linear dose response and is better absorbed. Therefore, most patients have fewer side effects and more efficacy.
Gabapentin was generic first, so doctors got in the habit of prescribing it, but pregabalin is a “cleaner” drug and you might have better success.
I take 12 x 300mg of gabapentin and recently added 60 mg of duloxetine. Duloxetine has improved my pain somewhat. You might talk to a pain specialist about this. There are other drugs to try; it’s always challenging to weigh benefits vs side effects.
I have severe Neuropathy from Diabetes (also have recurrent PCa and Soft Tissue Sarcoma) before ever taking chemo. I currently use an Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) supplement to get some degree of help.
Gabapentin caused cognition issues. I used to teach at a university, and would stand in front of the class and did not know why I was there! Discontinued it due to the brain fog.
Gaberpentin did not work for me. Tingling and pain in my feet only at night. I was affecting my sleep. 150mg of Pregabalin an hour before bed has worked well for meGood luck
Thanks - did you have any side effects???? Thank goodness I don't have any pain at night It is only when I get up and begin to walk and exercise that my feet feel like pins and needles and they're getting very hot.
No side effects. Started at 50mg snd worked up to 150mg before it worked well. Had neuropathy for about 3 years. Feet are mostly numb now. Great relief for me. VA made me try Gaberpentin first. When max dose offered no relief they approved Pregabalin. It was a cost issue for them. We're all different and on thus site it amazes me how often one drug works well for someone but not at all for someone else. Don't give up. Get relief👍
Hi Tom. I underwent chemotherapy (cisplatin) 9 years ago (not for PC). I have had foot neuropathy equally on the sole of both feet ever since. No pain, just persistent pins and needles. It was irritating at first, and worrying, but I gradually got used to it and it never changed. It does not prevent sleep. I know this is not a solution for you but failing an effective drug it might help to know mind over matter might work. Good luck.
Thanks so much for your input. It affects my balance when I when I try to play golf which is very irritating. have a great day. Tom
yes -
Sure - my neuropathy began after I finished chemo in in May of 2021. Since then, I have been on gabapentin, and it doesn't seem to be working. I have had nerve conduction study run by my neurologist, and I do have some nerve damage. Just seeing what other members have tried my and how it is worked. Have a great day. Tom
Gabapentin 600 mg 3 times a day. The Neuropathy is better now, after almost 6 years. Just read an article on Gabapentin and Pregabalin effects on heart and etc. Very discouraging. I am going to try and discontinue one dose a day. Sorry I don't have an answer. It was so bad 5 years ago I used to have a heating pad on a timer when I went to bed. My feet felt like ice. I am sure a heating pad is not a wise thing to do, and I do not advocate it as a solution. I was desperate.
Wow Monte - The good news for me is that I don't have any pain at night with my neuropathy. thanks for your encouragement. Tom
I have been on Lupron every 3 months and daily Zytiga + Prednisone since November 2021. Diagnosis Stage 4 Pca in September 2021, Mets to pelvis and other remote sites. Mets disappeared on recent PSMA-PET scan.I already had some neuropathy, but it steadily increased, along with arthritis and general muscle pain. I take Lyrica and Celebrex, and find wonderful relief with Tylenol Arthritis.
And I have found that a prescription vitamin compound called Metanx has clearly relieved and even reversed neuropathy. It can be found online with science to back it up.
That is very encouraging. So you think the Tylenol arthritis really helps your neuropathy?
Thanks - Tom
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No, but it definitely helps my arthritis. The MetanX is what helps neuropathy. You have to take it a couple of months before you feel improvement.It costs $70/month through an online pharmacy in Florida. There is a link on the MetanX website. Regular pharmacies charge $150 or more.
I'm convinced it has reversed my neurapathy.
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Thank you so much.I will definitely give it a try.
Tom
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My pharmacy is getting a one month supply shipped in. It is very expensive $200 but I will try your pharmacy after I have taken it for a month. Do you take it twice a day? Do you still take gabapentin? I am really excited to see if it works, thank you once again, Tom
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Yes, I still take brand name Lyrica for neurapathy and arthritis. The online pharmacy provides a 90 day supply and bills you $70/month for three months. Then automatically renews. I hope you get good results. It does take two to three months to begin to feel improvement.
I just ordered three months thank you I hope it works too...
No science behind it but the thing that helps my chemo induced foot neuropathy is voltaren gel which I put on at night when I am having a bad time. Interesting the only "shoes" that really don't bother my feet are ski boots!! Might be because they are totally rigid and there is not foot flexion.
thanks so much I’ll give it a try. We went out and bought some unlike you I don’t have problems at night it’s during the day so I’m gonna put some on during the day and give it a try. I will do anything to try to make it better. sure appreciate your input Tom
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