Hello all, I'm a 70-year-old male and was told by a neurologist in January 2022 that I had neuropathy.
For all of you that started having symptoms of neuropathy in your 40s or 50s I really feel for you. No doubt I'm just at the early stages of neuropathy and it is changing my way of life. I can’t imagine having dealt with this for twenty or thirty years!
My wife tells me that whenever I tell a story I tend to ramble way too much, so I apologize up front if that occurs here.
The reason I went and saw a neurologist in January 2022 is because my cardiologist referred me. I have had heart disease for the last twelve years. A triple bypass in 2011 and four or five stents since.
One of the items my cardiologist tracks from my blood test every six months is my CK (creatine kinase) number. It has something to do with my muscles and it concerns him about the muscles around my heart. The range is supposed to be 100 to 200. A couple of years ago mine went up to 500 and the following 2 tests were over 1000, so the referral.
The neurologist examined me in January and had an EMG done. The results of that test showed Radiculopathy (compression) of the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine. And the analysis also included signs of polyneuropathy.
Probably for a couple of months prior to my neurologist visit I had been feeling tingling in my feet and toes at night, but I mostly ignored it. It wasn’t bothering me at all.
The neurologist then ordered a blood test looking for among other things vitamin deficiencies. Nothing out of the ordinary showed up. She then sent me to another neurologist for a muscle specimen of my leg, since she doesn’t do them.
The other neurologist suggested that the results of the EKG showed I needed an MRI on my lower back, not a muscle specimen. An MRI was performed and the analysis was spinal stenosis of the lumbar. At this point my back was starting to give me trouble. Went to Pain Management and received a spinal epidural.
The epidural provided no relieve and now my back pain included my legs and feet and the pain was getting much worse. So, I had an appointment with a neurosurgeon and in early May 2022 had a laminectomy. Part of my bottom two vertebrates in my spine were removed to take the pressure off of my spinal cord.
This immediately removed the pain in my back and legs, but I still had the feet and toes tingling and now was also having numbness in them.
Prior to the back surgery the first neurologist had ordered a bone scan. She was looking for problems with my bone marrow. I was able to have that done in June. The neurologist said there were abnormal results in the scan, but they were related to orthopedics, not something she was looking for. So, she has referred me to an orthoepic. I see him next week.
The neurologist had given me a sheet of information about neuropathy back in January. I saved it but hadn’t read it, until August 2022. She had told me there is no cure, but I was looking for some relieve from my numbness.
Under the heading “Symptom Management” was a list of five different topical creams or patches. I started trying them out. Asper cream, Voltaren, and Capsaicin creams. Short term relief was about all they provided.
Next, I called the neurologist and received a prescription for Gabapentin. Did not like how I felt taking it at all, so I stopped.
My next choice of pain management was marijuana cream. It seems to help better than any of the other creams, but certainly doesn’t eliminate all the tingling and numbness and it seems to last just a few hours. I believe there are different types of marijuana creams, so may try some others.
It was time to go visit Dr. Google. Somehow very early in my research I found this website. I have just begun to read all the information provided here and the links to other informative websites.
A great big THANK YOU to all the Volunteer Mentors who work this website! You are providing a wonderful and needed service to all who don’t know where to turn for info.
Where I am at now is I noticed that R-Alpha Lipoic Acid was mentioned many times on this site so I started taking 900mg a day about a week ago. I continue to use the marijuana cream usually twice a day. And I ride a stationary bike and lift some dumbbells daily. I read about the Protocol, but because of the cost will search other relief now.
I used to walk 2 or 3 miles every day, but can’t now. Numbness occurs in my feet after about a half mile or so. So everyday life is about the same for me except long distance walking. And also balance problems. I’m just praying I can keep it at this level!
My question now is where to turn with the medical field. One thing I haven’t mentioned is I am a Type II diabetic. I take a couple of prescription pills for it, and watch my diet. My blood tests are always good.
I think I have been labeled as a diabetic neuropathy. Is an EMG, blood test and bone scan all that can be tested? Should I seek a doctor who will investigate further my type of neuropathy, or will offer other types of treatment? Looking for suggestions.
Thank you so much for your time in reading this and may blessing be sent to you all!
Vic