Anyone had swelling of ankles/feet and calves with neuropathy?
I had a cervical laminectomy and fusion Of C3 to C5 and now have neuropathy that started in my feet within the first two weeks after the surgery and has continually gotten worse and now has gone all the way to my knees. Burning, tingling, and some numbness, Neurologist has done nothing but meds. Gabapentin and lacosamide and no relief found yet. Currently trying infrared lights and just walking. I really don't know what to do and who to see but I surely do need some relief from this. All surgeon that did the op says is its residual nerve damage from the op. ??? Any info and suggestions will be appreciated.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.
Get off the Gabapentin one of it's side effects are swelling. I have swelling almost every other day. I use Aveeno stress relief lotion lather up. And then put on my support stalkings. Sorry you have to experience this. I hope long term you can get into a good neurologist.
TY
Do you also take Lyrica or gabapentin?
@kevinversace55
I am 54 and had anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery C5C6 and have neuropathy in upper/lower limbs. It sounds like your nerve roots were irritated from surgery. Hopefully no permanent damage and that you will bet better over time if the nerves can heal. What were your symptoms prior to your surgery? I had cervical spondylitic myelopathy which was affecting my body below C5C6 (walking, bladder, arm and hand strength/fine motors skills, etc.). You can take Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl L Carnitine supplements which helps with neuropathy pain. You can also try Salonpas brand lidocaine pain patches (no fragrance) and capsaicin neuropathy topical creams for nerve pain. It is best to avoid hot or warm environments with neuropathy pain and you may benefit from compression socks. Good luck healing!
@kevinversace55
I also wanted to mention it is important to get checked regularly over time by a neurologist to monitor nerve health. You should get baseline EMGs of upper/lower limbs and nerve conduction studies and small fiber neuropathy skin punch biopsy (samples taken from upper thigh and calf). I should have done this right before and regularly after my ACDF surgery in January 2022 but failed to do so. My symptoms have gotten worse and I am seeing a new neurologist end of April for updated testing (my last testing was done in 2019). My orthopedic doctor who did my surgery never suggested being followed with a neurologist which in hindsight is surprising since the reason for my surgery was spinal cord injury.
@kevinversace55
It does sound like you may have small fiber neuropathy and would benefit from getting the bunch biopsy to confirm. SFN can mess with so many things in your body. It may also impact blood vessels and cause the swelling in your calves. The swelling can cause worse neuropathy symptoms and pain.
I had swelling in both feet and ankles and not my calves. The cardiologist suggested it was vascular issues. For some reason they are not bad now only some occasional puffiness in my feet. I have no idea why suddenly this issue appeared but he was definitely not concerned perhaps because it was not his specialty.
I am fixing to go to the cardiologists soon. This all started after the cervical laminectomy and fusion I had 3 yrs ago. Thank you for your suggestion. It is much appreciated.
Weakness in my arms, hands and legs. By the time I had the surgery I was almost dragging my left leg. Now have weakness issues in my arms and legs, balance issues, and can no longer hold my urine or hold my bowels sometimes. Also it doesn't help that my lower back is very weak and i have sort of lost my desire to try and exercise. Thanks for your suggestions. It is much appreciated.
@kevinversace55
I feel for you and can empathize with the difficulty of having to struggle each day with weakness and balance issues. I am not the same person I was a few years ago. I used to be so productive and energetic and now reduced to a shell of my former self. I am on the couch or in bed most of the day and have not energy or motivation to do much of anything. I used to care about so much and now don’t seem to care about anything.