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Neuropathy: Numbness only, no pain
Neuropathy | Last Active: Apr 18 3:20pm | Replies (503)Comment receiving replies
Hello to all who are participating in this particular subgroup. I believe this is where I will plant myself for awhile. I can also scan through other discussions as needed, but you are going to be my neuropathy buddies!
I am new to the Mayo Clinic Connect forums and slowly figuring out the best way to navigate, save, and search for posts that interest me. And thank goodness for @johnbishop who always has a link to things as they are discussed. I can't imagine the organization on his computer!
I have a question (well, several) that maybe someone has heard answered or knows more than I do. Why numbness and no pain???
Is it possible to know from the nerve conduction tests if you are at the beginning of the nerve damage issue or approaching the end stage. My neurologist stated that my condition would not progress and I'm not sure I believe that, though it would be nice! If I do feel pain one day does that mean my condition is worsening or could it mean It's actually improving? Is it possible to present with numbness and never feel pain? Is it possible to present with numbness and not develop neuromotor issues.
Does any of this have something to do with whether the affected nerves are demyelinated vs damage to the axons? And does that also relate to sensory vs neuromotor issues? Any thoughts or experiences with these concepts?
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Hi MamaMarch, I have completed years of intense research on Peripheral-neuropathy . I am now aged 90 , an on nil medication of any description. I have opted for the practise of Neuroplasticity, and am achieving good results. Please read my previous posts, to fully understand . Good luck and go for. I want a cure not just releif.
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@mamamarch - Welcome to the 20% club as my Mayo neurologist described it to me when I was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber PN. You probably are not old enough to remember the old television show The 64 Thousand Dollar Question 🙂 but I think that's what you are asking. It's a great question but I've never seen a clear, easy to understand answer describing why some neuropathy patients have chronic debilitating pain while others like myself only have numbness and maybe a little tingling once in awhile. I can tell you I jumped a little during my first nerve conduction test but it really didn't hurt. My own non medical opinion is that it does have something to do with damage to the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve fibers. When the myelin sheath is damaged the nerves can misfire and signal the brain that it's not happy. I'm just glad my not happy is numbness and not pain. Lately my feet and legs have been feeling a little more on the normal side which I'm hoping is due to the supplements I take. I still have to wear compression socks for my lymphedema which I hate and that is a constant squeeze on the legs.
Here's a little information on the topic but it really doesn't explain it to me in words I can understand. Hopefully some other scholarly members may be able to provide a better explanation for your question.
Structural and functional differences between neuropathy with and without pain?:
-- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014488611002160
Myelin Sheath - an overview
-- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/myelin-sheath