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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Neuropathy | Last Active: Oct 27 5:51pm | Replies (6152)

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@decrepit

I had some success with Sanexas Treatments. I'm certain that my experience is different than most, but may help someone.

The background is that I suffered severely from lower back pain for years. I had a 4 level PCL in 2010 and an L3-L4 Fusion in 2014. Pain was improved a little after surgery, and I was able to get around better. But, ~ 2016 I started having problems with balance and was unable to lift up on the balls of my feet. I was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy by the Veterans Administration (also where I got the surgeries.) A neurologist performed the "conduction" tests only, and called it idiopathic hereditary peripheral neuropathy like CMT. I later had blood tests to rule out 35 kinds of neuropathy, including CMT, and was told my problems were probably a combination of neuropathy and nerve problems from L3-4.

Finally, to Sanexas. Knowing that my back was probably part of the problem, I asked if I could have the B12 injections and electrode treatment on the lower back. They agreed, and set me up with a PT who used dry needling for the "pins and needles" in my feet and exercise to loosen up the lumbar and increase stability. I had 20 treatments of Sanexas and 20 sessions of dry needling with exercise supervision.
The good news is that for more than a year, I haven't gotten "pins and needles" in my feet. They were the worst, because no amount of massage, itching, etc. would get rid of it. I found out, later, that some people use Aspercreme with Lidocaine for that issue, but I don't know if it would have worked for me.

The bad news is that I still cannot lift myself even a millimeter onto the balls of my feet. The stretching and stability exercises help with muscle tightness and balance, though.

Medicare covered 100% of the cost of the 20 Sanexas and PT treatments. I don't know how. But I was so worried about payment that I made them give me a statement specifying 100% coverage. Twenty treatments was the limit for Medicare. I would love to see if more treatments could help my strength problem. I want to get a portable unit like "tens" that uses the same sine wave as Sanexas.

Neuropathy can be caused by back problems, so I would suggest doing some homework prior to getting treatments. A small change may reap rewards. Good Luck to everyone that suffers.

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Replies to "I had some success with Sanexas Treatments. I'm certain that my experience is different than most,..."

Welcome @decrepit, Such great advice about doing some homework prior to getting treatments for neuropathy. There are a lot of businesses out there selling hope in the form of a cure for neuropathy when there is none. We just have to find something that provides relief from our neuropathy symptoms.

@duquer also shared his story of how Sanexas helped him and may have some thoughts or suggestions. He shared his story here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/645606/.

You mentioned PT treatments. Have you had any PT sessions to help you work on strength building?

I am puzzled as to why no physicians have labeled my symptoms as nerve damage from my multiple herniated discs and spinal fusion at C5-6. I had been in a rear end collision, which caused me to have a concussion, whiplash, and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disc damage. Not one doctor suggested my symptoms of neuropathy are from that. I have been undergoing testing and everything comes out normal, yet my symptoms exist. I am having a skin biopsy to confirm the doctor's suspicion of SFN.
I have never heard of B12 treatments. Can you tell me more about this? My doctors have only prescribed Gabapentin and are not doing anything more until I have a clear diagnosis, but the suspicion is SFN and Fibromyalgia.