Why test for neuropathy if there is no cure?

Dittos, Peripheral Neuropathy is an ideopathic disease which means doctors do not have an answer about cause or treatment

Hi @dwlowrance this is true but I believe some people want to find their exact diagnosis to determine what they are suffering from. It may help in the long run for any medical advancements. I have neuropathy but at this point it is not important to me to determine which kind. I will if and when it is necessary for medical intervention. Toni

Hi Toni
without knowing your complete history, I cannot really be completely accurate. However, it may be important to know what "kind" of neuropathy you have, because some are treatable, such as vitamin B12 deficiency.
BTW, in regard to another post, idiopathic does indeed mean of unknown cause, but does not mean there is no treatment. And treatment does not mean cure.

@user_che214927
Crikey Barry! You have forgotten me already! 😥

No worries mate, but I am one of the ones who said after your earlier posts that I am a solid believer in N.plasticity. I am reading Doidge's first book now. I am hoping to hear someday in the future that you are completely free of PN and ready to start your next career - gold mining perhaps. Go Barry! (Now throw another shrimp on the barbie for me, will ya?)

OK, thankfully for you I am out of timeworn Aussie phrases. Best, Hank

Hi @jeffrapp I agree with the term idiopathic. To me, a doctor may not know the cause but it doesn’t mean that a patient can not think back to determine potential causes through the process of elimination. It is similar to having an allergic reaction which I never had up until recently. Within a week I found the culprit. I did not waste time going to doctors for questions I can ask myself.
Neuropathy caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency can become permanent if not treated early. In my case, my neuropathy was the result of the last surgical repair for my ruptured AVM. It was a circulation issue involving the embolization of blood vessels. I have learned to deal with it. Luckily, it has only affected the left side of my body from head to toe. I have found supplements that help with the burning pain. The pain differs day to day. I feel we all do the best we can with our ailments(we know our limitations) so we can remain somewhat independent. Toni

Hi Barry @user_che214927 I believe many folks are wanting a “quick fix” which I know is not achievable at this point; however, it doesn’t stop them from searching for one. Nothing wrong with keeping “hope” alive. Toni

Whatever the cause of your idiopathic neuropathy, when your pain level interferes with living your life, it may be time to focus on relieving the pain. This June 2019 article from Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy is worth a read: https://www.foundationforpn.org/2019/06/10/neuromodulation-for-refractory-neuropathic-pain/?blm_aid=120498
Incidentally, some of the newest devices are MRI compatible.

I retired from a major pharmaceutical company. I can tell you the industry has put neuropathy research on the back burner. I don’t understand it because the market is huge. I am not very hopeful in the introduction of a new and effective treatment for SFN, or any neuropathy for that matter. Hopefully, I am wrong because hope s all we have.

Magnum52. Neuroplasticity is a major threat to to pharmaceutical industry's massive profits, because they cannot find a product that neuroplasticity will produce without using any of their products, even pain relief. Big business educate the doctors on drugs generally, never mentioning neuroplasticity, thus maintaing their huge profit results . That is why it is no the back burner.

Hi Barry. I understand what you are saying but I believe neuroplasticity is not a major threat to the pharmaceutical industry because not every person with neuropathy will choose to follow neuroplasticity. In fact most will decide on an easier path which will involve pharmaceuticals. Neuroplasticity takes time and discipline to perform the exercises. People will need to see doctors and therapists on a routine schedule. That is not an easy task for someone who suffers from neuropathy. I, for example. am willing to do the exercises but cannot travel twice a week to see therapists. Instead, I have elected in doing the exercises on my own as you have. Perhaps many cannot do exercises on their own. Having another option will allow for a more suitable resolution. In this case there is no need for the pharmaceutical industry to put the breaks on developing an end to neuropathy. I admire your patience with the exercises and wish you all the success in dealing with your neuropathy. I too still continue to see positive changes. Going on 4 months now. Good on you for keeping up the good work! Let us know about your progress. Toni