Neuropathy from lumbar stenosis?

Does anyone have bad arthritis. I have cervical nerve involvement and lumbar at 4-5 pressing on nerves.
I have had long-term pre-diabetes. Can nerve entrapment in lower back be mistaken for SFN. If anyone knows a good spine doctor close to Pittsburgh please let me know. I especially need it for lower back as I have had leg pain for a long time. I am worried about further complications.

Have you been to a neurologist yet? And have you had a emg/nerve conduction test done? I think this test would help in determining your issue.
I have peripheral neuropathy and also lower back disc /arthritis issues. As you may be aware, the emg/ncs tests can detect large fiber neuropathy…however it typically can’t detect small fiber neuropathy (this can be detected via a skin punch biopsy). I also am pre-diabetic.
Best of luck.

Hello @lewin. You will notice that I have moved your post into a discussion on lumbar stenosis and neuropathy, which you mentioned. You can find your post here:
- Neuropathy from lumbar stenosis?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-from-lumbar-stenosis/

I see that @stallen has joined you and is also pre-diabetic, so I will encourage you to connect.

Have you been seen by a spine neurologist?

Thank you Amanda. Where is @stallen. I have bad arthritis in cervical spine and both knees. I need to find doctor who can help me. They say neuropathy in spine is mild and my SFN is severe. No doctor has shed any light on this. I need help. I sleep a lot and take klonopin for pain and low dose of duoxeltine (makes me sweat).

I have had many tests done. I can ask for EMG but how will this shed more light on what is causing the neuropathy? How did you treat yours.?

Hi @lewin, I know it's the pits not to know the exact cause of your neuropathy and living in constant pain looking for something that helps. You mentioned bad arthritis in cervical spine. Nerve compression in the spine is something that can cause neuropathy symptoms. Here is some information from Neuropathy Commons.

"Trauma Or Compression
A common cause of nerve injury is physical trauma to the nerves, such as by injuries, falls, sports activities or surgery. Nerve function can also be compromised by other body parts pressing on the nerve. An example is sciatica, which is caused by a degenerated disc which allows a vertebra to press on a nerve root, causing pain in one or both legs. Another example is carpal tunnel syndrome, in which wrist structures press on nerves. This often comes from repeated activities like typing or hammering. Tumors, scars or bone spurs can also press on nerves and cause damage. Tight casts can inflict external compression that impacts nerve function."
--- Causes of Neuropathy: https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/causes-neuropathy.

There is a discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) that might provide some relief from the symptoms -- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.

Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or major health facility?

I can strongly recommend Dr Mark Knaub at Penn State Spine and Joint Institute, in Hershey. I drive 2 hours to see him.
In 2017, I had a large lumbar disc herniation with severe sciatica and sensory and motor neuropathy in one leg. I did 2 epidurals, 2 courses of PT, little relief. I had very successful spinal surgery at Hershey, but continue to see him yearly due to my now diagnosis of moderate spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.
I saw a neurologist in Hershey last summer and had an EMG which showed the neuropathy is not due to “nerve disease”, but is coming from the spine. It is getting slowly worse, now getting symptoms in the other foot, but I do feel better knowing what’s going on.
I need to wear an AFO brace now to stabilize my ankle while walking and am in PT again.
All we can really do is just keep going and find joy in small everyday things (the robins are back up here). It’s great to have this group to share with, we look fine, but neuropathy is a “thorn” that never goes away.

Does anyone know if severe lumbar stenosis can cause or exacerbate bi-lateral peripheral neuropathy?

Damaged or compressed nerves in the spine can cause peripheral neuropathy.

"Central lumbar spinal stenosis compresses the cauda equina; this is similar to peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome. Therefore, severe spinal stenosis has the potential to cause peripheral nerve injury."
--- Can the severity of central lumbar stenosis affect the results of nerve conduction study?:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7387042/

Thanks John, I appreciate your response. Here is what is behind my question. My neurologist runs a monthly in person and zoom meeting for people with neuropathy. She made the comment that bilateral neuropathy is almost never caused by back issues. I have been diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy. Oh head several lumbar surgeries. And often, but not always, my feet feel better after the surgery. My neuropathy does not go away, but it is not as bad. The key word in my question is bilateral. Can stenosis cause bilateral neuropathy, and if yes how common is it to cause bilateral neuropathy. Thank you