Neuropathy

[grizdingo]

Hi - My mother-in-law has been temporarily diagnosed with neuropathy and has been put on medication that isn't helping. She has been back to the Dr. but he still won't authorize a visit to the neurogolist. She is now depressed, suicidal and in constant pain in her legs and feet. They are testing her for diabetes She already takes a lot of other medication for her arthritis, blood pressure, and other ailments that she won't tell me. She won't go see a counselor or nutrionilist. She is on social security and medicaid, is this why they won't refer her? What can we do to get her some help? How can I help to get a diagnosis and get her on the correct medication so she can continue her life as she has always known? Any advice would be helpful. Thank you

[Sue Val]

I sure sympathize with her as I know what it's like when your doctor won't do anything for you. It is not that hard to diagnose. She needs to have an EMG test done this test is to see if there is any nerve damage. It is also very painful if you do have nerve damage. I have been suffering with this disease for 3 years now and it's been hell. I have gotten a diagnosis but still can't get the proper medication to ease my pain. I have been to doctor after doctor and medication after medication. The only thing that does help me is oxycodon but the neurologist who prescribed this made sure I take only one a day. Of course this helps for an hr or so and then I am in pain for the rest of the day. The only thing I can suggest is that she go to the Emergency and try to get a doctor there to get these tests done and get her on the proper medication. I'm really sorry for her pain.

[lisa in pain]

I too have recently been diagnosed with neuropathy. I am 43 years old and had breast cancer, but the chemotherapy did damage to my nerves. I have had this pain for 13 months now and have been on many medications and none of them are working. If your mother in law cannot get a referral to another doctor I would call medicare itself and request one or change doctors. Have you gone to a visit with her and talked to the doctor yourself? Sometimes you have to raise holy heck to get what you want but I have learned in the last year and a half that sometimes you have to demand what you want. My docs have all been wonderful but other people I know have the same problem you do and actually fought with doctors to get referrals and treatment from specialists.

[Llove]

I would think you could contact a neurologist and explain that you want a
second opinion which your doctor refuses. It may take a little longer without
a referral but I have seen specialists by doing this.
And for Sue Val I am surprised your physician has not prescribed a time
release medication as pain doctors do. A short term pain med for long term
chronic pain is inexcusable in this day and age.