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Looking to connect with people who have non-diabetic neuropathy
Neuropathy | Last Active: May 7 5:32am | Replies (1122)Comment receiving replies
About two years ago I started having tingling and other sensations in my right foot, so I went to a podiatrist. He said I had radiculopathy, referred pain from my back to my feet. It affected the metatarsals which felt spongy or full. I have never had an official diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy to date. Yet my situation has escalated to mirror the symptoms I read about so much here at this group. I've had numerous xrays all over my lower extremities and I honestly can't remember all the findings. I know I have spotty areas of arthritis but you wouldn't know it to look at me. So when members of the group mention the type of neuropathy they have, I'm lost. I mean pain is pain, right? And everything I read about neuropathy points out that it just gets worse. And doctors can't figure it out. For once I'm at a lost for words because I really don't know what I'm talking about other than I have received a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy. So I guess the nerves in my damaged spine are the culprit. That's where it began. So what would you call that?
Replies to "About two years ago I started having tingling and other sensations in my right foot, so..."
I would encourage you to seek out a good neurologist for a full work up exam including full blood work up. ( including vitamin deficiencies).
My symptoms started just like your over 10 yrs ago. My PCP & several podiatrists made there pitch but really didn’t have a clue.
Finally I found a very sharp neurologist. She nailed a diagnosis. Large fiber sensory poly-neuropathy.
I was diagnosed with radiculopathy when I had the neuropathy in a single toe (the very tip). It started with a sharp jolting attack in my groin/leg while walking at the store, and I fell to the floor in pain.
The doctor suspected a nerve, and prescribed gabapentin.
I have not had a groin event since then, but the toe issue started some time after, and continues a year or two now assumed as the lumbar radiculopathy .
Sometimes the gabapentin + naproxen is not enough, so I apply campho phenique with a cotton q-tip as a temporary numbing.
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Hi @cb3, It's easy be lost for words when it comes to all of the different types of neuropathy and their causes. Nerve compression in the spine being a big one. I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy but only have the numbness. I'm sure my lower back issues and degenerative disc disease plays a part but I'm not sure it's the only reason for my neuropathy.
There are quite a few people with back and spine issues that have found Myofascial Release Therapy helpful for many different conditions. Here's a discussion on MFR if you haven't already seen it:
-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/