1. < Neuropathy

For those with Radiculopathy…..

Posted by serenafix @serenafix, Feb 12 12:00pm

Do you feel your symptoms symmetrically in both feet? I would have thought that the cause of my numbness would be something systemic yet my neurologist very confidently said it’s all coming from my L5 area. I have back pain which comes and goes. He did not order an MRI.

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smn1 | @smn1 | Feb 25 8:04pm
In reply to @serenafix "Thanks for your good advice. I would not recommend my neurologist to you, he is not..." + (show)
@serenafix

Thanks for your good advice. I would not recommend my neurologist to you, he is not interested in neuropathy patients and just wants to get them out of his office. However, one of the best neuropathy specialists in the world, is Dr Anne Oaklander at Massachusetts General Hospital. I’m sure you have to wait a year to see her. My neuropathy is not so bad that I want to go to that trouble. I probably won’t see any neurologist again, but maybe a back doctor who can verify that my back is contributing, as you advised.

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Trust me, I fully understand the Bad Taste one can get in their mouth dealing with various Drs. I personally am not a fan of any of them right now. Or the medical system as a whole. I'm actually not a neuropathy patient. And the circumstances leading to my current situation. Are long and convoluted as they many times become. As the devil is generally in the details and they grow quickly. So at this point I'm just looking for him to confirm. That a Radiculopathy of the Lumbar spine L5 S1 to be exact can localize to the foot without radiating down the entire leg. I've found multiple examples online and that's actually what the Neurologist I saw initially stated. Not that exactly, but that my symptoms localized to L5 S1 with small participation of L4. And the story as I stated is Much larger than this... So I understand your not Referring him and actually are Not a fan, which I get. But I have my reasons for asking. I would appreciate it though. Just name and city I'll take it from there 😉

REPLY
ellie1939 | @ellie1939 | Feb 25 9:19pm
In reply to @smn1 "Hi Ellie, have they said what's causing it?" + (show)
@smn1

Hi Ellie, have they said what's causing it?

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Nope, not really. It didn't start until I had sciatica and some minor
fractures caused by osteoporosis, and other spinal problems. So the pain specialist dismissed it and said there was nothing that could be done except
pain meds. So I have accepted it and move on to things that lesson pain
especially at night.

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ellie1939 | @ellie1939 | 4 days ago
In reply to @serenafix "Same, both feet affected, worse on the left. Was your Radiculopathy confirmed by an EMG or..." + (show)
@serenafix

Same, both feet affected, worse on the left. Was your Radiculopathy confirmed by an EMG or MRI or both?

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Hi Serenafix
The radiculopathy was confirmed by a neurologist after viewing my MRI of my back, The
neuropathy symptoms started after I had sciatica. The Neurologist referred me to Pain Management. I had the nerve conduction? test as I previously related and he tried an
epidural which didn't help a all. He said there was nothing that could be done except pain manegement.
I have been going to a chiropractor style PT and so far it is getting progressively worse.
so will inquire about the MRN suggested here but don't know if they have that type of
specialist at Cedars here in L.A.
Let you know.

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anncoates | @anncoates | 3 days ago

I have had nerve pain since Sciatica four years ago. I had a laminotomy at L4/5 and the upper pain was immediately resolved with the pain in my inner ankle and bottom of my foot remaining. After physicsal therapy, gabapentin, injections, EMG, MRI, SCS, DRG and two PNS the saphenous nerve was identified as the culprit. My next step is Mayo Clinic and a steroid injection into the saphenous nerve - 50% chance of being helpful. It’s difficult to remain hopeful with persistent pain - Hang in there!!

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