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Neuropathy

I have a Client/Friend who is suffering from very painful diabetic neuropathy. Well, we're not sure what kind of neuropathy, the doctors can't seem to figure it out. I have used Reiki and light massage on her. She also takes lots of pain medication. Has anyone come across this painful condition?

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Permalink Reply by Harobed Nella on December 18, 2009 at 6:58pm

yes, my father and as old friend both had neuropathy or nerve damage due to being diabetic. my dad has past on, but the women takes warm epsom salts baths and gives herself or has massage. she is also on a pain med called neurenten*. my father was on the same med. her pain is in her legs, his was in his feet.
consistent blood sugar levels is very important, so nutrition and insulin monitoring is key. food is our first form of med. and plain pure water. and taking all meds, in a consistent and diligent way.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gates on December 19, 2009 at 2:02pm

That is what my dad, who suffered from that, did. He couldn't feel anything in his feet and because of the diabedes, he had to be real careful of even cutting his toe nails. Warm epsom salt helped the feet part.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on December 20, 2009 at 9:14pm

Be careful of the massage--neuropathy is very painful (I have it, not due to diabetes but from Lyme, FMS and CFS), and even the slightest touch can send the patient's nerves screaming in pain. Now, I do find massage to be helpful, but some areas of my body can't take it, or my MT has to let up and work his/her way back down into the pressure. So just be aware that massage can be terribly painful at first--you have to really be gentle and gauge the pressure with it. Reiki before massage is a good idea, and keeping the patient warm is absolutely essential. Neurontin is what I take--epsom baths can be amazing, too, even if it's just on the feet and hands.

Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Rev.Moonwitch on January 6, 2010 at 2:34pm

Greetings, Running Cloud,
I have a friend who suffers with the same problem. However they have told her that it is fibromyalagia and have prescribed neurotin. It does help her!! Also the epsom salt bath is a highly recomended treatment by doctors!!! At the moment, I cannot think of the other med they have her on for it, I will ask her when she comes over and let you know.
BB Rev.Moonwitch

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on January 7, 2010 at 2:16am

FWIW, my guess would be either Savella, Cymbalta, or Lyrica--all 3 are the only approved FMS drugs at the moment, although many others are used off-label. Also, all 3 of them seem to work pretty well together with neurontin (generic gabapentin). Gabapentin, unless given at really high doses, doesn't have the mood-affecting properties that Savella, Cymbalta, and Lyrica have, AND it doesn't usually have the more severe side effects found with the other drugs either...

Just kinda an FYI for anybody out there. I have FMS, so I figured I could chime in ;)

Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Kourtnie D Nandlal on January 14, 2010 at 11:05am

I have a condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSDS) which can be sometimes wrongly diagnosed as other similar conditions. I have been on neurontin and gabitril and several others with horrible results. I am now taking a combination of Lyrica, Cymbalta, and trazedone with a bit more success. With any of these autoimmune conditions, please be very careful touching, even the lightest touch can lead to the most excruciating pain.

Please send lots of Reiki to your friend..as I am doing the same.

Permalink Reply by Kourtnie D Nandlal on January 14, 2010 at 11:05am

http://www.rsds.org/index2.html

hhmmm the first link didn't come through...hope this helps :-)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on January 14, 2010 at 6:45pm

Hey Kroutnie,
Some good friends of mine suffer from RSD, so I'm really familiar with it. I hope you have success with Lyrica and Cymbalta. I find it so interesting to talk with people who have been on the different meds I've tried because it's so amazing how our bodies react differently, don't you think? I've tried Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella, and can't take any of them--they had terrible side effects for me, and the only side effect I have on Gabapentin (Neurontin) is edema, so I may yet have to come off of it! But Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella all had a bunch of different horrendous side effects apiece... So odd how it all works, eh? ;)
Hugs and BB,
Jen :)

P.S. Bizarre how this has turned into a medication comparison chart... LOL Didn't mean to run off with the post and make it that, I just find this kind of thing fascinating since we're all chiming in with different meds and conditions!

Permalink Reply by Kourtnie D Nandlal on January 15, 2010 at 6:57am

Good morning Jennifer and everyone here :-)

I haven't had much luck with any medication (and there's been a ton) since being diagnosed in 2001 (not only with RSD but femoral and ilioinguinal neuropathy/neuralgia/neuritis, sacroilitis, arthritis and later fibromyalgia). So far the combination I'm on now hasn't produced the side effects that some of the others have but they also haven't produced the relief my neurologist and I was hoping for either. The Doctors all want to place a spinal cord stimulator but I lost my insurance awhile back and there's no way to afford it with out it. I'm not really sure if that's the route I want to go anyway, I've heard good and bad about the procedure. So right now I rely heavily on Reiki and meditation.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on January 15, 2010 at 6:39pm

Hey Kourtnie,
I'm soooo sorry you're suffering. FWIW, I have a girl (I think! LOL) I'm talking with on one of my forums I work with who just had the stim implant, and they did a trial, then are doing the permanent one--perhaps you can (when you get your insruance back?) do a trial first and see if it's successful enough to warrant a permanent placement? Also, some universities do trials and such, so perhaps you could check around and see if there's one in your area doing something to see if you could qualify for a study. If so, you might get your meds/implant for free. Just a thought...

I'm considering something like that for my migraines, honestly. If there was a study near here for a neural implant for migraines, I'd hit on it big-time. I have them on an almost daily basis. I'm lucky to have 2 days a week free of them! LOL ;)

Reiki and meditation are my own saviors as well.
Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Kourtnie D Nandlal on January 21, 2010 at 10:09am

Hey Jennifer,
From what I've been told everyone has to do a trial with the stims and thats my problem :-( i have the RSD type that seems to like to spread with additional traumas so I'm not a very good candidate for any invasive surgeries. So if it does work and help relieve the pain woohoo!!! but if it doesn't there's a very good possibility that the rsd will attack another one of my appendages :-( I fell awhile back and dislocated my shoulder and now my hand and arm is highly affected..can't seem to win at times. I stay positive and do what I can though :-)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on January 21, 2010 at 9:31pm

Hey Kourtnie,
That's a tough call, hun. I really get you on that. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes. I will send you positive energy to make the right decision for you, and also to hope that you feel better no matter what!
Hugs and BB,
jen :)