Can you have Neuropathy with out being Diabetic? I was told I cannot have neuropathy because I am NOT diabetic. The top of my left foot flares up and pain is so extreme I can't walk and the only thing to kill pain is Hydrocodone. (It is Not gout)
That's ridiculous and you should find another doctor. A large percentage of cases of neuropathy are idiopathic or the result of other health events. Mine is due to a malfunctioning autonomic nervous system. The right medication has completely taken it away but it took me 4 years to find a doctor (ended up at a cardiologist) who diagnosed me properly. You might want to get a skin punch test to confirm the neuropathy. Hope that helps!
Can you have Neuropathy with out being Diabetic? I was told I cannot have neuropathy because I am NOT diabetic. The top of my left foot flares up and pain is so extreme I can't walk and the only thing to kill pain is Hydrocodone. (It is Not gout)
@rdg063 I've very sorry to hear you've been misguided. Of course you may have neuropathy without being a diabetic. I'm living proof from B12 deficiency causing Small Fiber Peripheral Polyneuropathy. Please find a qualified neurologist to help you. Yes, a skin punch biopsy is a test to have along with a complete workup of blood, possible genetic testing, MRI's, EMG/Nerve Conduction Study. I wish you well.
Rachel
Can you have Neuropathy with out being Diabetic? I was told I cannot have neuropathy because I am NOT diabetic. The top of my left foot flares up and pain is so extreme I can't walk and the only thing to kill pain is Hydrocodone. (It is Not gout)
I agree -- you absolutely can have neuropathy without having diabetes -- there are over 100 different diagnoses from which you can have neuropathy-- from vitamin B12 deficiency, chemo, alcohol use, inherited, chemcial toxins, the list goes on and on -- many of us are idiopathic, which means the doctors don't know the cause -- when you call a neuropathy clinic, ask for a doctor who is most familiar with neuropathy -- the scheduler will say "they all do" --- not true! You really need to ask a lot of questions to find the right neurologist -- AND if you see a neurologist and he/she doesn't answer your questions, it is time to find another doctor --
Can you have Neuropathy with out being Diabetic? I was told I cannot have neuropathy because I am NOT diabetic. The top of my left foot flares up and pain is so extreme I can't walk and the only thing to kill pain is Hydrocodone. (It is Not gout)
Hi @rdg063 yes, someone can have neuropathy without diabetes. It is usually the result of compromised circulation. The nerve cells do not get the nutrition needed to survive. In my case, where the blood supply was blocked the neuropathy developed.
Can you have Neuropathy with out being Diabetic? I was told I cannot have neuropathy because I am NOT diabetic. The top of my left foot flares up and pain is so extreme I can't walk and the only thing to kill pain is Hydrocodone. (It is Not gout)
Hello @rdg063, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @rwinney and other members. You will notice that we moved your post to this discussion - People with non diabetic neuropathy so that you could meet with other members discussing neuropathy not associated with diabetes. As a member with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy I can assure you that whoever told you that you cannot have neuropathy because you are not a diabetic is wrong. Diabetic neuropathy is just another diagnosis that means the cause of the neuropathy is diabetes related.
Neuropathy Commons is a good source of information on neuropathy. Here's a list of some of the causes for neuropathy. https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/causes-neuropathy
You may also be interested in the following discussions:
@rdg063 have you thought about seeking a second opinion? I have no medical background or training but if you are just having the pain at the top of your left foot, it would seem to be more of a foot injury type of problem.
Hi @rdg063 yes, someone can have neuropathy without diabetes. It is usually the result of compromised circulation. The nerve cells do not get the nutrition needed to survive. In my case, where the blood supply was blocked the neuropathy developed.
I don’t believe poor circulation often results in neuropathy although it is possible especially with diabetics. There are many varied causes of sudden onset idiopathic SFN and often no good solution to date except pain meds.
Actually Rhombomyleoneuropathy and then a second diagnosis related to the antibody that was found in my spinal column which apparently hasn't been identified before.
That's ridiculous and you should find another doctor. A large percentage of cases of neuropathy are idiopathic or the result of other health events. Mine is due to a malfunctioning autonomic nervous system. The right medication has completely taken it away but it took me 4 years to find a doctor (ended up at a cardiologist) who diagnosed me properly. You might want to get a skin punch test to confirm the neuropathy. Hope that helps!
@rdg063 I've very sorry to hear you've been misguided. Of course you may have neuropathy without being a diabetic. I'm living proof from B12 deficiency causing Small Fiber Peripheral Polyneuropathy. Please find a qualified neurologist to help you. Yes, a skin punch biopsy is a test to have along with a complete workup of blood, possible genetic testing, MRI's, EMG/Nerve Conduction Study. I wish you well.
Rachel
I agree -- you absolutely can have neuropathy without having diabetes -- there are over 100 different diagnoses from which you can have neuropathy-- from vitamin B12 deficiency, chemo, alcohol use, inherited, chemcial toxins, the list goes on and on -- many of us are idiopathic, which means the doctors don't know the cause -- when you call a neuropathy clinic, ask for a doctor who is most familiar with neuropathy -- the scheduler will say "they all do" --- not true! You really need to ask a lot of questions to find the right neurologist -- AND if you see a neurologist and he/she doesn't answer your questions, it is time to find another doctor --
Can you have Neuropathy with out being Diabetic? I was told I cannot have neuropathy because I am NOT diabetic. The top of my left foot flares up and pain is so extreme I can't walk and the only thing to kill pain is Hydrocodone. (It is Not gout)
Hi @rdg063 yes, someone can have neuropathy without diabetes. It is usually the result of compromised circulation. The nerve cells do not get the nutrition needed to survive. In my case, where the blood supply was blocked the neuropathy developed.
Hello @rdg063, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @rwinney and other members. You will notice that we moved your post to this discussion - People with non diabetic neuropathy so that you could meet with other members discussing neuropathy not associated with diabetes. As a member with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy I can assure you that whoever told you that you cannot have neuropathy because you are not a diabetic is wrong. Diabetic neuropathy is just another diagnosis that means the cause of the neuropathy is diabetes related.
Neuropathy Commons is a good source of information on neuropathy. Here's a list of some of the causes for neuropathy.
https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/causes-neuropathy
You may also be interested in the following discussions:
Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/
Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
Here is an article I think you may find helpful. Why does the top of my foot hurt?: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319737
@rdg063 have you thought about seeking a second opinion? I have no medical background or training but if you are just having the pain at the top of your left foot, it would seem to be more of a foot injury type of problem.
I don’t believe poor circulation often results in neuropathy although it is possible especially with diabetics. There are many varied causes of sudden onset idiopathic SFN and often no good solution to date except pain meds.
Does anyone have myleoneuropathy? I'd love to talk to you if you do.
Hello @markwroberts, Welcome to Connect. There is another discussion that you might want to read through and post any questions you have.
Want to know if myelopathy is still a form of neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/want-to-know-if-myelopathy-is-still-a-form-of-neuropathy-y4-1/
Have you been diagnosed with myleoneuropathy?
Actually Rhombomyleoneuropathy and then a second diagnosis related to the antibody that was found in my spinal column which apparently hasn't been identified before.