Nerve Pain helped by Neuro One Topical

Neuro One is a topical that you can order through Amazon and other places. It has L-Arginine and Vitamin B-12. It is one of the medications, along with neural flossing, warm bathes or 5 min ice, non painful massage, metatarsal support, and foot mobilization, that I use routinely for foot nerve pain of any sort. This can include Morton's Neuromas, peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, etc. I advised this particular patient to reduce the Neuro One to once daily to see if we get the same great results. 

Hi Dr. Blake,

I hope that you and your family are keeping well! We are muddling along without too many problems.

You suggested that I check in by email right around now.

The only question that I have right now is whether you want me to change my NeuroOne routine.

I have been using it for about 14 weeks, twice a day, on my left foot.

The neuroma “pain” is diminished by about 50% on both feet since I starting using the NeuroOne in February. Now on both feet it’s in the 1-2 range, and the predominant sensation when I walk is something like having the ball of your foot brushed by a vegetable brush.

Also, I have stopped icing the balls of my feet at night. Now I just ice the boney ridges on the tops for 10 minutes in the evening, which is more relaxing than anything else.

I haven’t gotten up the courage to try any shoes other than my Chaco sandals. Sheltering in place (with daily walks between 90 and 120 minutes) doesn’t require any footwear more stylish then Chaco’s.

So, there you have it: the NeuroOne question, plus I’d be happy to hear any other suggestions or advice.

Thanks, and take care!

Peripheral Neuropathy: WalkJoy Device a Possible Help

This product I have no experience with, but I really could not find anything wrong. If any of my readers have some information, please comment on this post. Thank you. Rich

Dr. Blake,

WalkJoy is the only FDA approved device to help reduce falls and foot ulcers for patients with peripheral neuropathy.  We'd love to see if we can help some of your patients.  Attached is a flier and a few testimonials.

Cheers,

Blain

Testimonials from Patients

“Life Changing”

Thank you to The Foundation For Peripheral Neuropathy for introducing me to WalkJoy, Inc.  I am a 78 year old retired Plastic Surgeon. I had a major back surgery 9 years ago with total success. Post-surgery, I noted there was a burning in both feet and the surgeon said it could not be repaired. Over the next few years, I was told I had Peripheral Neuropathy, etiology unknown. The burning went away, but I had complete numbness resulting in loss of balance that slowly developed into full blown problems that were debilitating. After two years, my EMG showed destruction of the axons and myelin.

I have been using the WalkJoy for several months now and am thrilled with the results that have been fabulous. I play golf 6 days a week with amazing balance, improving my game and I am using the treadmill with increasing speed. Socially I feel more comfortable in movies and getting up from a table. My general walking has increasing length of strides and my improved balance is life changing for me. I am grateful for the wonderful way my active life has improved.

I sincerely hope more neurologists are made aware of the WalkJoy product to make their patient’s lives much better.                                 Larry R. MD FACS    Palm Beach Gardens, FL

“I feel more stable and in control.”

I am an 80-year-old male and I have had idiopathic axonal sensory peripheral neuropathy for at least 10 years.  It has progressed to the point where I have no sensory nerve response from my toes to below the knees.  As a result, my balance is very poor and I use a cane.  I was becoming sedentary as my ability to maintain my balance declined. I read about the WalkJoy units in my Neuropathy Association newsletter and decided to give them a try.

What a difference they make!  I wear the WalkJoy units nearly full time.  When walking I am able to increase my stride and speed, and I feel more stable and in control. I walk several miles a day for exercise, and my neighbors have commented on my improved mobility.

I feel the WalkJoy units are enabling me to avoid having to use a walker, and ultimately a wheel chair.  I am very pleased with my increased mobility.  Thank you, WalkJoy!"                                                        Lee M.  Modesto, CA

“My first reaction…was astonishment.”

My first reaction to trying out the WalkJoy units was astonishment. Within about a dozen paces, I was walking with an almost normal gait. All without feeling anything detectable from the units.

I am 92 years old and have had idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for at least the past dozen years. I have fallen a few times, and I have to watch my feet when I walk. My excellent physical therapist found that I still have some proprioception (muscle sense) available in my feet, and exercises have helped improve my balance.

The improvement when using WalkJoy is clear and almost immediately evident to me. I now wear them most of the day, every day. There is a temporary residual effect when I take them off, and it takes almost an hour before my walking gait deteriorates. WalkJoy is an excellent product, but it is not, I repeat, not a cure. My balance tests show that without WalkJoy my proprioception is still faulty – especially when I try to stand, unsupported with my eyes closed. Don’t expect miracles.                                                    William T., Ph.D.    Sarasota, FL

“I am able to move with greater ease and balance.”

I have been using WalkJoy for about 6 weeks.  I have peripheral neuropathy so my feet cannot feel the ground.  This has caused me to have poor balance even though I have had balance training in physical therapy.

As soon as I started using Walk Joy my balance improved noticeably.  Smooth, shiny floors (usually marble) have long been a challenge for me, but no longer.  I can now comfortably walk on these floors.  I have also begun to walk my dog again.  I am not as afraid of falling and am more assured when I walk.

I had been frustrated because there is no treatment for the loss of sensation caused by peripheral neuropathy and was thrilled when I learned about WalkJoy.  Thanks to WalkJoy I am able to move with greater ease and balance.                      Janice C.  Falls Church, VA

“WalkJoy has truly changed my mother’s life.”

Walkjoy has truly changed my mother’s life…. seriously. She had tried so many different treatments and nothing worked. Her doctors told her there was no cure for her neuropathy and that she would just have to learn to live with it. This went on for 4 years! Well they were totally wrong! My mom started using the Walkjoy unit’s every day and felt a change (for the better) almost immediately. It has been around 2 weeks now and she is like a new person. Walking around is not an issue anymore. It has not only changed my mothers’ life but ours as well!                                                                Margaret B.  New York, NY

“My Dad has not fallen EVEN Once!”

My Dad could not be happier with the WalkJoy after a little more than three months of use. He has not fallen EVEN ONCE! Daddy is very active and walks outdoors every day. He is now back to walking almost a mile down our local road, as well as back and forth from his tractor shed (about 100 yards from the house) many times all day long. All of his leg and foot wounds have healed (I do not know if it is from the correct walking posture or just from not tripping and falling) and he is able to do so much more of what he likes every day.

Robert D. Houston, TX

“Muscle strength and stamina”

After experiencing nearly 20 years of increasing debilitation due to peripheral neuropathy, he was thrilled to feel the sense of balance and control that WalkJoy gave him! 

Three full weeks have passed now and he has not used his electric scooter once! He relies solely on his walker and cane without fear of falling. With each day of renewed confidence in his balance and stability, he has been able to increase his walking and exercise activities. As a result, both his muscle strength and stamina are slowly returning.

WalkJoy is an excellent product with the potential to change lives! We are so grateful to have been introduced to it.

John and CeCe H.  Santa Barbara, CA

http://www.walkjoy.com/

Calmare Therapy: A Rising Star for Nerve Pain (even CRPS)!?

Hi Dr. Blake, I have some very exciting news to share. I have been on the East Coast having some experimental treatments for the last three weeks. A new generation of electronic device that delivers healthy nervous system signals to the brain, somehow erasing old pain pathways.
I was very skeptical initially, seemed like one more silly Tens kind of gizmo, but I have been completely astounded at the results.

The technology does not rely on the Gate theory  of pain, but rather on a different kind of signal theory.

Almost all of the pain and allodynia has been eliminated from my foot.
It is like a miracle.

I don't know how long this improvement will endure. Most patients experience some regression over time, and need additional treatments. and I also will have a lot of rehab to do to get a normal sock and shoe on that foot, and very gradually rebuild strength and endurance in walking.

But for right now it has given me so much hope to have relief from that horrible neuropathy that was like the worst kind of torture.

The name of the machine is called Calmar. There have been some small scale studies demonstrating efficacy, and larger scale trials, including at the Mayo Clinic, are now underway. It is effective with CRPS, post herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and post chemo therapy neuropathy. Goodness knows these are all patients who need help and hope.

I know you care so much about your patients and have been trying very hard to find solutions for me and others. I will send you more information when I get home.

Unfortunately my L5 – S1 disc issue, which was a sleeping tiger, has been set off by the travels, so I am having very painful sciatica now And  will have to get that calmed down. But even that is nothing compared to the CRPS.

I'll be in touch with more information about Calmar, when I'm home and doing a little better.

I hope you are doing well and thank you again for all your care and concern.

Best to you, 


http://youtu.be/GzbbkS-Imm0

http://youtu.be/KFkTEr-uz78

http://youtu.be/NElvi0ZYhYY

http://www.calmarett.com/pain/index.html

Sunday's Video of the Week: Peripheral Neuropathy

If you are beginning to get symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, this is a wonderful video on the common causes that must be investigated. Peripheral neuropathy involves the feet and/or hands initially, and then spread upwards. These video discusses the diligent evaluation of the common causes of this problem. Many feel it is a sensitivity of the nervous system to common environmental excesses that irritate the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy will present 1/3rd of the time as pain alone, 1/3rd of the time as only numbness, and the remaining 1/3rd of the time a mixture of pain and numbness.


The video reviews common peripheral nerve irritants as areas to investigate and reverse. These irritants include:
 deficiency in B12 vitamin,
 deficiency in folic acid and thyamine,
 chemical exposures,
 high glucose levels,
 chronic infections (including lyme disease),
  alcohol toxicity (more than 1 drink per day??), and
  mechanical causes at the foot/ankle/knee/hip/low back.
So many times it is a combination of low grade irritants that lead to symptoms. This is the challenge of trying to diagnosis. But as a patient, these are some of the secrets to easing/treating. 

http://youtu.be/ATu0467azRc




http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2014/02/fridays-patient-problem-of-week_21.html

Friday's Patient Problem of the Week: Peripheral Neuropathy

Hi Doctor Blake,

My name is Sophie.  I live in Chicago, IL.  I am 30 years old.  And when I turned about 25, I began seeing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.  I have burning, numbness, tingling, and pins in needles in my feet and legs.  Decreased sensation to temperature in my legs.  It's all of an unknown cause.  So it's very scary.  I do not have diabetes and have been tested for dozens of other illnesses, all of which come back with clean test results.  Which is great.  I have read a lot of your blog.  I need a doctor of your caliber to see on a regular basis.  Do you know of anyone in the Chicago-area that operates their practice like you do?  It seems so important to you to look at the big picture, spend LOTS of time listening and advocating for your patients.
Just curious if you had a referral in my area.  I'll continue to research, read your blog and stay hopeful!
Dr Blake's comment: I am sure someone on this member list of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine shares my philosophy. Here is the link. Unfortunately, I do not know someone directly. You could also call the William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago and see whom specializes in peripheral neuropathy. 

http://www.aapsm.org/members.html#il

Many thanks,
Sophie (name changed)


Sophie, I am attaching various links from my blog on aspects on this complex problem and I am so sorry my response to your email has been so slow. Read through these posts and see if anything makes sense, and send me more of your thoughts also. The basics that you need to do on a daily basis that are listed below are:

1. Neural Flossing three times a day
2. Apply Neuro Eze or similiar topical 4 times daily
3. Do pelvic/core strengthening to stabilize your lower spine AMAP
4. Take daily supplements that help with nerve sensitivity
5. Make sure your bone density is great.
6. Perform weight bearing exercise daily to stimulate the nervous system
7. Make sure you are not Gluten intolerant or another cause of nerve inflammation
8. Experiment with mediation, accupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic which all have success stories with peripheral neuropathy

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2013/07/nerve-symptoms-start-with-neuro-eze-but.html

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2012/12/neural-flossing-gentle-stretch-to-break.html

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2013/02/nerve-pain-double-crush-diabetic-low.html

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2012/06/peripheral-nerve-painneuropathy-and.html

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2014/02/wednesdays-article-of-week-peripheral.html

Wednesday's Article of the Week: Peripheral Neuropathy and Gluten Sensitivity

There are so many causes of peripheral neuropathy that podiatrists see affecting the foot. The classic causes are diabetes, osteoporosis, alcohol, Vitamin B deficiencies, but we all know that there are many other causes. This article abstract documents the potential relationship of gluten sensitivity to peripheral neuropathy. Gluten is in wheat. It makes sense that anything that increases our overall inflammation could lead to neural inflammation and therefore, peripheral neuropathy. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21796607

Nerve Symptoms: Start with Neuro-Eze but Evaluate the Cause

After several months trying to heal my sesamoiditis I started getting sporadic tingling sensations all over my foot, and a numb feeling around the sesamoid and along the inside of my big toe. After reading this post I subsequently bought neuro-eze with the hope that it would alleviate these symptoms. However, I have been hesitant to use it because the description on the bottle says that it helps with neuropathic pain, and I do not have any nerve pain and I'm not entirely sure if what I have would be defined as neuropathy. Would you still recommend to using it for my symptoms of tingling and numbness?


Dr Blake' s comment: 

   Yes, it is a good starting point for the neuropathy (abnormal nerve sensations). Patients with neuropathy get just numbness/tingling, just pain, or a combination of the 2, but it is still neuropathy. Neuro-Eze in my experience works on 50% of those cases. That being said, please have a neurologist or physiatrist look into the cause of this problem. Is it coming from your back because you limped for a while? Did the swelling around the sesamoid trigger some excitable nervous activity that now needs to calm down? Is it a totally separate problem called peripheral neuropathy related to pre-Diabetes, Vit B12 deficiency, osteopenia, etc? I hope this helps you. Rich

Neuropathy: What to Do?

Dear dr. Blake

my friend  saw you a few years ago with a broken ankle, recommended I write to you about what happened to me recently that resulted in neuropathy in the soles of my feet and toes.  She says you are wonderful.

Well, cheap footwear from a drugstore apparently had some toxic substance in or on the shoes.  These were a pair of flipflops, boy's size 4/5, with fabric covering the foot-bed.  Being chemically sensitive, I chose this model over all the plain plastic ones (which often reek of plastic fumes), thinking fabric would make them safer -- plus the fact that none of the other models they had available fit me anyway.

 I wore the shoes for about one hour total, and about 2-3 hours later began to notice the sensation of numbness in my feet.  This happened on Sunday April 21st, and there has been zero improvement.

That evening (soon after I noticed the problem) I soaked my feet in epsom salts dissolved in warm water, for about an hour.  Still had the problem, so next two nights I packed clay on my soles and toes (a friend suggested this detox method, and I was glad I had some clay ready to use).  I felt after these two nights that the toxins had been removed but that I was left with lasting nerve damage.  My right foot is worse, the first 4 toes and the sole of ball of my foot feel numb, sometimes there is a burning feeling, and if I stub a toe just a little there can be a sharp pain.  There is nothing visibly wrong, but the sensation I have when walking around is as if I am walking on wadded up kleenex.  I also noticed the skin of my toes felt clingy, as if the toes were sticking together, and my feet seemed to cling to my old plastic flipflops with a very unpleasant sensation.  I have found some relief from this by  putting cornstarch between my toes and wearing loose socks (no flipflops of course). Fortunately I have a pair of Aerosoles w cushiony insoles, which I discovered make it possible for me to go for walks -- and get some exercise.

But now I am scared to buy shoes of any kind.  I wonder if you can recommend some footwear known to be safe (even for the especially chemically sensitive).  I feel kind of ridiculous even asking such a question, but there it is.   Actually I think those shoes from the drugstore would be toxic to anybody but maybe the non-sensitive might not have an acute reaction.  The fact that these were a child's size gives me real concern for the intended wearers.

Dr Blake's comment: Here is a blog posting on this topic.

http://tipsforcs.blogspot.com/2013/04/shoes-for-chemically-sensitive.html

And if you have further suggestions what to do for neuropathy beyond:  I see that you recommend a lot of vitamin D, which I already have been taking for a long time now, so that should be covered.  I started taking B12 and other Bs, plus lecithin and various herbs that I saw recommended online.  I have the impression that massage is NOT a good idea.  Deep probing of the affected areas seems to hurt and not be helpful.

Any ideas appreciated.  Thank you.

Dr Blake's comment: 

     Thank you for the email, and I am sorry for your suffering. One of my medical assistants getting allergic reactions to the dyes in leather shoes and now uses only vegetable based shoes. She went to an allergist who tested everything, and it really helped her begin to control her symptoms and live more normal. Below is my nerve pain outline and so much can be used in your situation. I have highlighted in red the most common things you can do. Also see the video emphasizing exercise, healthy diet, sugar restricted diets, and no smoking or alcohol. 

3.      Topical Medications/Applications (should be gels for ease of application)

§         Warm Compresses

§         Non Painful Massage

§         Parafin Wax

§         Chinese Herbs

§         Lidoderm Patches

§         Neuro-Eze

§         Multiple Compounding Medications which include (usually not all of these):

ü      Ketamine 10%

ü      Clonidine 0.2%

ü      Gabapentin 6%

ü      Baclofen 2%

ü      Nifedipine 2%

ü      Lidocaine 2%

4.     Alternative

§         Biofeedback (Thermal to increase circulation)

§         Hypnosis

§         Meditation

§         Accupuncture (can be to opposite limb or ear)

·       Nutritional (next 3-12 months)

1.      Lipoic Acid 300mg 2x/day

2.      Acety-L-Carnitine 2000 mg/day

3.      Inositol 500-1000mg/day

4.      Vit B6 50mg/day

5.      Vit B12 1000mg/day

6.      Vit E (up to 1,600units/day)

7.      Thyroid Natural Supplements

This Mayo Clinic article gives a good overview. I hope this points you in the right direction. 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS00131/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Neuropathy or Referred Pain from the Low Back: Email Advice

Hi Dr. Blake,

I have a few symptoms that I will be telling my doctor about at my annual physical in two months. In the meantime, I thought I would ask you about them.

For about a year or so, I have a hard time with walking around the house barefoot. It is especially difficult first thing out of bed. Recently I have been having numbness in the corner of my right big toe. I thought this was just and old ingrown toenail thing acting up again, but it seems to be more than that. I have pain in my arches-just below the ball of my foot. I bought some arch inserts from Germany, and now have to put them into almost any shoe I wear, except my dansko clogs.

Dr Blake's comment: I have linked this with my video on foot nerve pain and it's relationship to the back. You can see how the corner of the big toe is related the L4 Disc as well as the pain in the ball of the foot into the arches.

Sometimes I imagine I get relief after stretching my hamstrings. I have one of those green stretch nylon ropes with loop holes I got after rehabbing from my knee surgery(right knee)  I got a little freaked out tonight after standing in a rite aid store. There I was getting dental floss and the auto message over the loud speaker was warning customers of their possible undiagnosed diabetic neuropathy. They listed off some sensations that sounded like a few of my symptoms.  Of course, walking home, I kept thinking.."what if this is something I have?" I don't have diabetes, that I am aware of anyway?

My questions are:

Why would the upper left corner of my big toe feel numb and burning on and off? Not just at the toenail, but under it on a callous pad and at side of toe bone.

Why is it so painful to walk barefoot? As if I need the support of a shoe or else it feels like my bones crunch with each step. As though not enough muscle in my arche to hold myself up?
Dr Blake's comment: The video above should explain what nerve root in your back is probably effected. Pressure on a nerve can cause both abnormal sensations and abnormal muscle function (ie your muscles are not supported the bones and they complain mightily.) 

Should I be concerned about diabetic neuropathy?
Dr Blake's comment: This does not sound like neuropathy, but, in the early stages of development, the symptoms can be atypical. If you were in my office, I would send you to our back doc to check if this was coming off your back. 

How can you tell the diference between foot weakness symptoms  - foot neuropathy -- Morton's neuroma - plantar fascia pain ?

Also what type of doctor would I want to be seen by. Is this for a podiatrist or a neurologist?
Dr Blake's comment: Both a podiatrist to treat the local symptoms and a neurologist or physiatrist to evaluate and possibly treat the back. The MDs would definitely help in pinpointing the diagnosis better, but the lion's share of the treatment can be left with the podiatrist. Sure hope this helps. Rich

Thanks for your time.

Peripheral Nerve Pain/Neuropathy and Vitamin D Deficiency: A Possible Link

This is information from Podiatry Management Online Magazine service. 

RE: Fosamax and Neuropathy? (From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

Kudos to Dr. Kass for mentioning the relationship between peripheral neuropathy symptoms and vitamin D deficiencies. In our practice, we have worked up a number of patients with severe peripheral neuropathy and found incidental findings of vitamin D deficiencies. In all cases, what motivated the ordering of the test was the finding of osteopenea in the met heads. When the patients were placed on vitamin D supplements (either over-the-counter or prescription grade), they had very rapid resolution of their neuropathic symptoms.

Hence, we now add a vitamin D 25 test as part of our work-up when we evaluate patients presenting with painful neuropathy. I want to caution readers not to interpret this as meaning that all cases of peripheral neuropathy are caused by vitamin D deficiencies, however, it should be on your differential diagnosis list when evaluating patients presenting with pedal symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY