@johnbishop, I can not find the words to express how happy I am that you started this subgroup and to heartily thank @firefly for posting excellent questions privately which prompted you to start this sub group! My cardiologist referred me to my neurologist because of numbness in my feet. The neuro ordered extensive blood and urine tests. I then was tested with the electrodes and pin pricks and told I had peripheral neuropathy and he ordered the diabetes test because tests conducted revealed no definitive cause for the PN. That test revealed prediabetes. On my second visit, I was prescribed Metanx, which I believe is a vitamin supplement.

I've been following the neuropathy group closely but while others mentioned numbness, nearly all also write of pain which I don't have, just the numbness and tingling which are advancing up toward the knees. Now I am beginning to experience some numbness in my hands but again no pain. As others shared the specific types of neuropathy they'd been diagnosed with, I have continued to wonder why I haven't been told more specifics. No mention of small fiber or large fiber or other so I have no clue but will ask at my next annual appointment.

I have had many of the same questions and concerns that @firefly mentioned. The neuro told me that this is a slowly progressing disease and when asked if p.t., water therapy, acupuncture or specific exercises could help stimulate the nerves or slow down the advance, I was told there was no effective treatment. It is a relief to learn that others diagnosed with neuropathy experience symptoms like mine. I have been feeling like an odd ball in the original group and felt like questions about fear of the loss of ability to drive or type or increasing issues with balance or the coldness I've had for years in both hands and feet were trite in contrast to what so many members were challenged with. I've seen Protocal mentioned in the other group but don't know what that is. Is it a medication or process one follows in trying to maintain the level of function? My sincere thanks for starting this sub-group.

Also haven't received daily digest or new posts for 2 days and hoping there isn't another computer glitch on my end? Nothing in spam folder. I got to this thread by opening an earlier post.