Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I was interested to read your post and to hear what the doctor has diagnosed because I am experiencing some of the same symptoms. Since my foot surgery 3 months ago, I've had increased pain in both feet (a hot, burning pain, even when I'm sitting). The orthopedic surgeon is sending me to see a neurologist on Wednesday=----and one of the things he will be checking for is neuropathy.

I'm curious as to how the doctor came up with this diagnosis for you. Did you undergo nerve conduction tests? I have had some of those with a different doctor, but from what I understand, the neurologist will be able to do more extensive nerve testing.

The orthopedic surgeon who did my foot surgery had me try Lyrica (3 times a day) this summer---before the surgery---to confirm that I did indeed have a nerve problem. The Lyrica did help tremendously (that was the first time in years that I had walked without a lot of pain), but it made me so drowsy---and I gained about 20 pounds in the 5 weeks I took it! I was so starving that I would eat a sandwich and make me another one! The doctor told me I could not take the medicine long term. I gradually weaned myself off of it (reducing the dosage to twice a day for a week and then once a day for a week, then every other day), and I still experienced some ugly withdrawal symptoms when I finally got off of it. (I felt like I had the flu, was nauseous and achey, and had bad insomnia for about 2 weeks). That finally got better! Of course, the doctor didn't want to attribute that to me stopping the medicine, but I know it was (the nurse told me the drug rep said it could do that.)

Hopefully, it will help you with the pain and swelling. I know it did me! It's got to be better than taking the steroids. I'm glad you finally have a diagnosis. Maybe now you can get some relief.

I am interested to see what this neurologist says on Wednesday about medications for nerve pain. My main concern is that I cannot afford to take anything that will cause me to gain any more weight! Right now, I take a very small dose of Elavil (one of the old anti-depressants), on a as-needed basis only, at night, when the nerve pain gets too bad. Lately, it hasn't seemed to help at all!

Good luck!

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