pics from 5-22-06 and some notes on medications and numbness

I notice that the numb patch on my left foot has moved further down toward my toes. It is kind of across the tarsals, more noticeable on the outside of my foot down near the sole. I think it is not as intense as in the recent past.

The pain is manageable on one tablet TID of Tramadol. I reduced the dosage about 2 weeks ago.
Last weekend I tried going without Tramadol. The pain was bad enough that I went back on after 2 days. I wonder if my body needs it now, or whether the pain is just that bad. Is my body addicted? I don't know. I don't feel psychologically addicted, but would I? Does an addict know they are addicted? Or is it only afterwards that they know they were? Any readers have any insight on this?

pic from 5-15-06

pic from 5/2 and comments on new neuropathy, also med dosages

Here is a picture showing the progress of the ulcer. It has completely scarred over at this point so I have stopped using the DuoDerm dressing.

The other picture is of an area that has gone completely numb on the skin surface. The area affected is about 4 cm wide and extends across the top of my left foot near my leg from the inner ankle bone protrusion to the outer. If I press on it, I can feel pressure, but nothing on the surface at all. It is not painful or tingly, just numb to the touch. I first noticed it about a week ago. It hasn't changed since then. When I first noticed it, the skin looked slightly pale or whitish and it still does. Hardly visibly noticeable and didn't show up very well in the picture here.

I continue taking Neurontin 400mg TID, Pentoxyfiline (?mg) TID, ASA 1 per day, Foltx 1 per day and Tramadol 2 tabs TID. I will try backing off Tramadol to 1 tab TID day starting tomorrow. I also continue wearing my support stockings most of the time I am not asleep, maybe 12 hours per day.

pic from 4/23

Here is a picture showing the progress of the ulcer on the right interior ankle