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Peripheral Neuropathy and the Spine

Posted by JohnWBurns @johnwburns, Sep 16, 2016

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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centre | @centre | Jul 5, 2022

I had successful back surgery four years ago for thoracic/lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylothesis, it helped the pain tremendously, but didn’t change the peripheral neuropathy of my right leg. I was given the firm lecture about the importance of losing weight. I hesitated to write you a reply as I’m sure you’re aware of and have tried many weight loss options, as I have. I did lose the weight and the ONLY thing that I found tolerable and worked for me, was the use of the app “MyFitnessPal”. You enter what you eat as the day goes by and it tracks your nutrition and calorie count. I try to keep my daily calories close to 1200, while getting my 3 “calcium rich” foods per day for my osteoporosis. This will sound ridiculous, but I’ve found the easiest way to do it is to eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch and switch up dinner. I buy the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers, less sugar/controlled portion. I walk around the block daily, but I’m slow because of the neuropathy, but it feels good to be out. Good luck to you, you can do this😊

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1 reply
NJ Ed | @njed | Jul 5, 2022
In reply to @centre "I had successful back surgery four years ago for thoracic/lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylothesis, it helped..." + (show)
@centre

I had successful back surgery four years ago for thoracic/lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylothesis, it helped the pain tremendously, but didn’t change the peripheral neuropathy of my right leg. I was given the firm lecture about the importance of losing weight. I hesitated to write you a reply as I’m sure you’re aware of and have tried many weight loss options, as I have. I did lose the weight and the ONLY thing that I found tolerable and worked for me, was the use of the app “MyFitnessPal”. You enter what you eat as the day goes by and it tracks your nutrition and calorie count. I try to keep my daily calories close to 1200, while getting my 3 “calcium rich” foods per day for my osteoporosis. This will sound ridiculous, but I’ve found the easiest way to do it is to eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch and switch up dinner. I buy the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers, less sugar/controlled portion. I walk around the block daily, but I’m slow because of the neuropathy, but it feels good to be out. Good luck to you, you can do this😊

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To centre - good points for sure!! I do walk daily and in winter months walk inside. We also buy Cafe Steamers for control over carb in take. I shoot for 1400 - 1500 cal per day. Few lbs a month adds up places less stress on lower back. Will look into the app....thanks for info. Ed

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carrollwhipple | @carrollwhipple | Jul 6, 2022

looking for treatment, maybe lazer.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Jul 11, 2022

I have bilateral PN due to osteoarthritis of my entire spine s/p 1990 fusion L4-S2. Your L4-5 vertebral area is responsible for nerves in the foot and most of leg. Check out Dermatomes on web for better knowledge. Have you had an EMG or nerve conduction studies to determine the precise issue?

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aquamarine4220 | @aquamarine4220 | Jul 11, 2022

I am bedridden, but I was able to lose about 15 lbs on Optavia.
My daughter now is a coach for that company.

She lost her Covid weight and looks like a college student (she
is in her 50's)

I can't do the Healthy Choice, etc. because of the amount of
sodium, and those are all said to be very inflammatory...trying
anti inflammation which the Optavia is, actually, for me, anyway.
Plus I am diabetic so ixnay on the sodium, due to just that.

Maybe do a search and see what the regimen consists of. Tasty
shakes, mashed potatoes, soups, bars, etc etc. Even choc chip
cookies, brownies and cinnamon cake. Snacks...It seems to work
for every single person who follows it.

I can barely move without major pain, so, actually they tell you
NOT to exercise at first, anyway.

Good luck.

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martyk | @martyk | Jul 12, 2022
In reply to @fields123 "I had similar symptoms every time I tried to walk the pain was horrible.I had a..." + (show)
@fields123

I 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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What type of surgery did you have?

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