DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 90-year-old veteran of World War II and have had peripheral neuropathy for several years. My feet burn all night. I have been taking Neurontin for many years, but it doesn’t seem to help any. Can you please help with my situation?
DEAR READER:
Peripheral neuropathy causes pain, numbness, tingling, or burning of the extremities. It can result from infection, exposure to heavy metals or other toxins, infection, metabolic disorders, and more. Symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the types of nerves affected. Those with alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid, kidney, liver or specific autoimmune disorders are at high risk for the condition. I cannot determine from your letter what caused your problem; nevertheless, the point now is to improve your quality of life.
There are a number of treatments available. For mild cases, over-the-counter pain relievers or the application of medicated chest rub to the affected areas may be all that is needed. For more severe cases, prescription antiseizure medications, such as Neurontin, or pain patches, like Lidocain, may used. If these steps fail to provide improvement, seek out a pain specialist or visit a pain clinic.
I don’t expect you to be pain-free at the age of 90, but your neurologist should be able to keep you more comfortable than you are. Pursue the issue and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the progress. Good luck.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
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