Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet.
It can also affect other areas and body functions including digestion, urination and circulation.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may lessen or go away over time, but in some cases they never go away.
These are some ways to learn to live with it: Use pain medicines as your doctor prescribes them.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels.
Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.
There are 5 stages of neuropathy which are.
Stage 1: Numbness and Pain.
Stage 2: Regular and Persistent Symptoms.
Stage 3: Debilitating Pain.
Stage 4: Constant Numbness.
Stage 5: Complete Loss of Feeling.
Gabapentin is one common medicine that is prescribed for neuropathy.
Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain.
Gabapentin, also known by the brand name Neurontin, is a prescription Painkiller belonging to its own drug class, Gabapentinoids.
It is considered an anticonvulsant, and is most commonly used to treat epilepsy, restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, and neuropathic pain.
When you have neuropathy it doesn't always go away completely but the pain and symptoms of the neuropathy can start to heal up and go away within 6 to 18 months.
However sometimes neuropathy symptoms and neuropathy itself may last as long as 5 years or longer and may be lifelong.
Once you get neuropathy it can't be reversed but you can help with the symptoms such as through therapy or medications and lifestyle changes.
Exercising and walking often can help with the neuropathy pain but sadly the neuropathy cannot be cured fully and it's usually just lifelong.