I have had the pleasure in talking with hundreds of you since we began neuropathy.info, and the overwhelming question I get, is what is the best treatment for peripheral neuropathy?!? My answer has evolved over time, as while there is not actually one fix for this horrible condition we suffer from, there are indeed ways to live with this condition. I stress "ways" because many things together can indeed help with the condition, but there is no singular approach for most of us. Instead, we must take a full 360 approach to our suffering and find that new quality of life.
Underlying Conditions
First and foremost, has to be a look into why you have peripheral neuropathy and what underlying condition has or is causing it. We have covered the two biggest causes in articles on our website, and will be coming out with more of these in the future; however, the good news here is with some underlying conditions, your neuropathy may get better by treating the condition itself. An example here would be even in my own Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), some patients will find that once they finish the chemotherapy, their neuropathy symptoms will improve (obviously as in my own, this is not always the case). With different types of Diabetic Neuropathies, controlling your blood sugars and treating the diabetes can also improve the neuropathy symptoms. After you have done this, then it is time to realize a big fact about neuropathy, in that it is a chronic condition.
Chronic Pain
So what is chronic pain condition? Mayo Clinic defines chronic pain as "a serious health condition. Like any long-term health problem, the condition often leads to complications beyond your physical symptoms, such as new or worsened depression, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Chronic pain can make it more difficult to keep up at work, manage tasks at home and attend social gatherings, leading to problems in your relationships and financial instability. Some research suggests that the more severe your pain, the more serious these problems."
The serious consequences of chronic pain make finding effective treatment a critical goal. Unfortunately, this process is complex and uniquely personal. What works for one person's chronic pain may not offer any relief for your pain, for a number of reasons. Your diagnosis, biology and personal history all play a role, and finding pain therapies that bring you adequate relief can be a lengthy effort.
Your doctor is key in this step in establishing a fundamental plan to treat your pain which will most often start with a pharma regimen. We have included a list and explanation of the most common pain medications suggested here. You will also want to check out our article on medication specifically for neuropathy here. After you establish a good pharma regimen for your neuropathy, next comes the 360 approach.
360-Approach
I call this the 360 degree approach because you must look at every part of your life and realize what makes your neuropathy better and what makes it worse. Here we are not just talking about the neuropathic pain, but the other issues such as balance and mobility. As with any chronic condition we are individuals here, and what works for me, may or may not work for others. From the foods you eat, to the supplements you take; from the exercise you get, to the eastern medicines you practice; from the cannabis products you use, to the the Emotional Support Animal you get; there is not a one practice fits all. However, different things as simple as the shoes and socks you choose to wear, can make a world of difference in achieving a new quality of life. (articles about all of these things are posted on our website here.
The New Quality of Life
This is perhaps the hardest truth that many sufferers will have to accept and only until they accept it, will they be able to find that "best treatment." For me it was a few years of opioids, deep depression, horrible pain, falling all the time, and having no mobility, to realize these simple truths. This condition is not going away... The doctor's can only do so much... I must take my life back from the neuropathy and find my new quality of life...
To do this i have spent the last years trying many of the things I write about, until I have found a mix that works for me personally. This does not mean I do not struggle, this does not mean there are not days that I still cannot get out of bed. However, I struggle less than before, I spend less days in bed, and I have found enjoyment in my new quality of life.... It is my sincere hope that all of you can find it too.
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