Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I spent an hour with the neurologist this morning. He tested my reflexes, and he concluded that I do not have neuropathy. After looking at the MRI's and X-rays I brought with me, he doesn't think the nerve pain I'm experiencing in my feet are related to my disc problem in my back. He said he wished he could wave a magic wand and make me better, but that I just have a nerve problem (which I already knew) in both feet---not caused by anything, just bad luck. (He looked at the results of my nerve conduction tests done by another doctor.) He said he knew it's painful, and that I have got to break the pain cycle and get back to exercising. (I tried to explain to him that I can barely make it from the sofa to bed each night!)

He said the orthopedic surgeon did the right thing by operating on my left foot (a plantar fascitis and a tarsal tunnel release), but that nerves take a very long time to heal. He said it may take me 6 months to a year (following the surgery which was Sept. 20) to feel better.

He is starting me on Neurontin to help with the nerve pain, and he recommended that I find a water aerobics class to join. He wants me swimming 4 days a week. He did order a few more tests (I had blood drawn). The good news is that Neurontin is used for mood disorders and I have bipolar disorder, so it may help me with that too.

When I told him I've taken nerve medications in the past and they helped temporarily but the pain comes back when I discontinue them, he looked at me funny and said, "I'm not talking about you taking it short-term. If you have to take it the rest of your life, so be it. I take blood pressure medication every day because I need it." Gulp! (I wasn't expecting that.)

I am also doing physical therapy twice a week----and the first time I went, I was in even more pain! But since going last time, my feet have felt a lot better. I went today and begged the therapist to continue the same regimen. (He is using ultrasound and an ice pack, as well as having me do some stretching exercises.) Hopefully, this alone will give me some improvement! I'll take any I can get! I just want to walk without pain!

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