Connect
Vascular neuropathy?
Hi - I am wondering if any of you that are dealing with neuropathy have found that it is actually due to vascular or circulatory issues instead of neurological issues. I have had numbness and tingling in my arms and legs for 2 years. It also includes other symptoms, including muscle fatigue, legs aching, knots in my muscles, etc. I have had every neurological test my dr could come up with and have had normal results on everything. I also had digestive issues that started, leaving me with a lack of appetite, feeling full, feeling sick to my stomach for a year and a half, to the point where I lost 45 pounds without trying. We have looked at neuro stuff and autoimmune stuff, GI stuff, lots of blood tests, scans, procedures, etc and are left with no answers. Recently, I had a blood clot (DVT) and in the process of dealing with that whole situation, I have been wondering if I have circulatory issues instead of neuro stuff. The DVT was due to a narrowing in my iliac vein (May Thurner’s syndrome) and it doesn’t really explain all of the other issues going on -though it made the pain in my legs and hips at the time go away when the clot was removed. The numbness and tingling is still there as much as or more than before, but since I have been on blood thinners, the digestive issues just disappeared. Then, I recently saw an article /ad for a local vascular center that started with something like “are you having trouble with neuropathy? Many people with neuropathy are actually suffering from vascular issues instead or neurological issues” I know peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause some of these issues, and diabetes, but I don’t have diabetes (they have checked many times) and I am not overweight (because of all of the digestive issues) and I go walking almost every day, so it isn’t a problem with not exercising, my cholesterol is fine, so it doesn’t seem likely that PAD is the problem. The other stuff I have looked up usually affect smokers, and I have never smoked. I am just wondering if anyone here got answers that took them in the vascular direction. Thanks.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.
Connect
Thank you @johnbishop. I looked at that article and it was helpful and linked me to some other articles that were also helpful. I am very lucky, and managed to get an appointment with the vascular specialist next week, instead of “sometime in March” so maybe, hopefully, I will get some answers (?!)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@jair19, Can you let us know how your appointment with the vascular specialist goes next week? It's great that you were able to move the appointment up.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi @10987654321 I remembered you immediately by your unusual member name. Back in August @rwinney asked you what doctors you had seen and what sort of diagnosis you may have received. Unfortunately you didn't answer and no one here was able to get enough of a bead on your situation to be much help. I guess I would ask the same questions now. Who have you seen, and what have they told you about your condition. Have your conditions changed at all since August? It's odd to hear that no doctors will help you. Why is that? Best, Hank
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThis week neurosurgeon told me that the veins leading up to the cranium are narrowed. Is this what any of you have? I have had vertigo off and on for years but this week it was very bad...
@maryflorida Have you had a sonogram of your neck arteries? Do you take anything to lower your cholesterol? It is that kind of build-up that can cause strokes and other unintended consequences.. Ken
Just this last week they did an MRI.. I was in the hospital after bouts of severe vertigo. . I don't know what to do about too much cholesterol.. the prevastatin prescribed made me sick and also have hallucinations. I want to reduce the cholesterol but it seems like it may be too late. I am concerned for two of my daughters who are on the Keto diet. Won't they likely get this too one day?
Hi Mary @maryflorida - I don't think it's ever too late to work on reducing your cholesterol. Mayo has some tips here that might be helpful.
Top 5 lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/reduce-cholesterol/art-20045935
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you.. I do most of those already but may need meds.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@maryflorida Has any exam or doctor recommended a carotid artery Stent?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionNo, but my son mentioned it. The doctor was very abrupt and just told me to go to a neurologist for a follow up. It is an artery (or would it be more than one?) in the back of my neck. I am almost 80 and look very healthy (and am pretty healthy). This is scary.fearful of having a stroke before this can be reversed. What else is there to take besides prevastatin which made me hallucinate?