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Peripheral Neuropathy and the Spine
I have an advanced peripheral neuropathy with symptoms being far worse in my lower extremities. The neurologist and rheumatologist have said that the root cause of the neuropathy is Sjogren's Syndrome and that is being treated with mycophoenolate with results pending as far as potential improvement of the neuropathy.
However, I also have stenosis issues and some doc compression in my cervical spine and my lower back and I am sure that an aggravation of either or both worsens the peripheral neuropathy. When you get into spinal issues a lot of voodoo emerges since the symptoms can be all over the place. In my case its clear that if I sit too long, especially driving, my lower back pain and stiffness will worsen and will peripheral neuropathy will worsen in conjunction. Conversely, if I walk too much, especially under load as in uphill, my cervical spine pain and stiffness will increase with impact to peripheral neuropathy less easily correlated.
So, the subject here is to link spinal issues and peripheral neuropathy symptoms and to be vigilant about how one affects the other.
As an aside, being overweight is, as usual, going to impact the spine by increasing the mechanical load. I've gained about 30 lbs in the last few years and that has made things worse in all domains. Very difficult to lose it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_compression_syndrome
All input welcome, thoughts, observations, opinions...
Thanks
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Ditto! Severe thigh pain beginning side top of leg down to knee both legs. Worse at night and interrupts sleep. I use a pillow between my legs and that helps until my shoulder rings in. On 2400 mg of Gabapentin and find it helps. When I wake my calves have muscle spasms for at least an hour and have anKle heel pain. So walking to get my hot lemon water is my goal. Wish you well and seeing Doc Monday. I will share my visit. Take care.
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1 ReactionThe burn feeling can be overwhelming. My MRI showed a sac at the base of my spine that had a particular name. I can't remember what it was called but it was explained to be that it had spinal fluid in it and needed to be watched. It has been 2 years since I have repeated the MRI.
I have a brother who has numbness in both of his feet! Dr says it's Neurororpathy! He has a very bad lower back issues! Isn't this coming from his lumbar region?
I was told I have mass near spine. Not long ago I started having devastating shooting nerve pain in left thigh. u want to scream & cry much!!! Pls help ifcan!!!
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1 ReactionCoukd they be sure it was not cancer? I have ma d e near MT spine & pray much its not cancer.
Welcome @suespark777, It must be extremely difficult to deal with the nerve pain when it's bad enough to make you scream and cry. You mentioned you were told that you have a mass near the spine. Have you discussed your symptoms with your doctor to see what options you might have to get relief from the pain?
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1 ReactionI had similar symptoms every time I tried to walk the pain was horrible.I had a bulging disc on my back once I had surgery the pain was gone.I had no pain from the surgery.I did not need even a tylenol pill.No recovery time from the surgery.Good luck .I hope you can have the same recovery.
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3 Reactions2 things:
1- the mass near your spine. Get an MRI. I had a cyst near my spine causing a lot of pain. It was easily removed and my back pain disappeared.
2- Get a pelvic MRI (covers the thigh area). Your piriformis muscle can be touching your Sciatic nerve.
And good luck!!!
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1 ReactionGet a spinal X-ray or MRI.
I think everyone with PN should check the spine and rule it out.
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3 ReactionsHi all...I had MRI in 2016, 2018 and again 2020, narrowing on each MRI from L-3 to S-1 and docs say yes, narrowing is there but not the cause of PN both feet. Can be a contributing factor but not the root of the problem and each time the narrowing increased so did the PN increase. Also have stenosis. Top nuro-surgeon in my area says no surgery. Walking distance of 200 yards is a problem, back pain increases. Got to think there is a connection between lower spine and PN.
Left without answers. Ed
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