Neuropathy update

[brokendamselfly]

I joined a group here for people with Diabetes type II and Fibro and I've promised to keep updates here in my blog on the treatments etc I have been receiving for the neuropathy. I am still on the 1800 mg of gabapentin for the neuropathy. But now I take a 6mg capsule of the zanaflex at night instead of the 4mg tablets twice a day. The dr's office has been giving me samples as the 6mg capsule has no generic and is supposed to be rather expensive, but apparently it works differently than the 4mg tabs do. I am doing better although now I kind of miss those naps! Also, I CAN still take a 4mg during the day if I have muscle spasms or cramps. It's much better than the flexeril HOWEVER you CAN NOT take the flexeril if you are taking zanaflex, they do not mix.
I am also in occupational therapy for my hands. I have to tell you that after the first visit I wanted my hands amputated especially the first night. But I let the therapist know the next time and he slowed it down. First he warms my hands up one with I think is moist heat then this machine that is some kind of infrared deep tissue heating. That feels good but don't wear rings during.... ouchie!!! Then he stretches the finger joints slightly. I have to squeeze this putty then I have to pick up these little pegs, 5 at a time in each hand simultaneously and put them into a little plastic board, HA. I swear a 5 year old could do it....dang manual dexterity. Oh and there are 1 lb weights I have to move my wrist back and forth. So far I can't tell any difference except my manual dexterity and those dang pegs isn't getting better!!
I can say it is getting cold out here and the neuropathy sure doesn't like it. My feet are freaking burning all the time. It feels like I have been sitting with them over a basket of candles!!
My best advice this far is watch your sugar. For me, Peter Pan makes an incredible sugar free peanut butter, you can't tell the difference. Then, there are sugar free oreos which have saved my life. They taste better than the regular ones!! Of course I still love my snickers, but I buy the snickers mini's now, 1 bite size, so if I am having a craving, I can just have 1 and there is little, if any, effect on my blood sugar for just 1.
More updates later.....xxxxxxxxx broken