← Return to Worth visiting Mayo Clinic for evaluation of idiopathic neuropathy?

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Profile picture for neurojudy @neurojudy

@johnbishop , I have been diagnosed via EMC with idiopathic peripheral neuropath about years ago. I have metabolic disorder and high tryglycerides, which match the picture for painful
PN. Gabapentin helps but leg pain at night can be terrific. Exercize three times a week also helps, but I have never seen a neurologist. Would or a visit to Mayo that be of any help?

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Replies to "@johnbishop , I have been diagnosed via EMC with idiopathic peripheral neuropath about years ago. I..."

Welcome @neurojudy, sorry to hear you also have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. You mentioned metabolic disorder and high triglycerides. I also fit in the metabolic syndrome but never knew much about it and didn't even run across it until I started doing some research on my idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I've been in the pre-diabetic category most of my adult life and didn't bother with a diagnosis because I only have numbness and all of my previous PCPs had told me that there are no neuropathy treatments (medications) that help numbness. They just provide pain relief. When I finally decided I needed to know, I had the EMG and nerve conduction tests along with a physical exam and the neurologist gave me the same answer as all of my primary care doctors - no treatments to help with the numbness.

That's when I joined Connect and started learning and sharing with other members with neuropathy. I do think exercise helps but not to the extent I would like it to help and too much is not good (for me anyway). What has really helped me is trying to get my body out of the metabolic syndrome by exercising, eating healthier, losing weight and trying to eliminate as much sugar as possible for a guy that really likes cookies 🙃

I do try to keep my legs moisturized daily which I think helps some as the peripheral nerves are near the skin and dry skin is not good for neuropathy in my non medical opinion. Here's just one reference on the topic - https://calgaryneuropathy.com/74-skin-care-for-peripheral-neuropathy/. Here's some information on the metabolic syndrome.
-- The Metabolic Syndrome and Neuropathy: Therapeutic Challenges and Opportunities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881591/

I'm a patient like yourself, so not really qualified to say whether or not a visit to Mayo would help unless you are not sure of your diagnosis.