Nerve damage and pain that isn’t neuropathy but feels like it.

Hello.

For over three years I thought I had diabetic neuropathy. All the signs and symptoms, burning, stinging, numb areas, boring sensation. I was told I had it and have rec’d treatment of lyrica and lidocaine.

A recent EMG study showed severe chronic lumbosacral polyradiculopathy worse at L5 and S1 and chronic cervical polyradiculopathy that is more severe at C5 & C7.

I was told by my neuromuscular doctor she does not see neuropathy of my feet (yes in right ulnar…) I am blown away, thinking all this time there was nothing else I could do except keep blood sugar in check which it has been between 6 - 7 hba1c. I was told by another doctor that neuropathy usually flairs at 11. Her having said that and me also having bad spasms in: hamstrings, calves, feet and toes made me wonder if it was neuropathy. Foot drs and neuro’s tested feet, yes they said to neuropathy.

The upshot of this is there is something going on with me that they are trying to diagnose…pinpointing what exactly it is and how it can be treated. I have to have an mri lumbar and ct to evaluate benign thymoma with and without contrast. My exams are in may. The have no sooner appointments.

My doctor is good, the one I see now. I trust her. She is thorough and taking me seriously. I was referred and there was a min of four month wait. It’s a long time to not feel good having strange things happen.

From one minute it feels like a bee stinging. To other deeper boring pain. The muscle spasms in the balls of feet and toes are so stiff and tight I cannot walk heel to toe without pulling the muscles. I fear I’ll snap it, its so tight now and the toes feel like 2nd degree burns or worse, I have skin sensitivity that feels like I have a bad sunburn and it hurts to touch.

The question I am trying to ask, is this: being I don’t have neuropathy but severe nerve pain and damage does anyone have any experiences with this?

I cannot sleep with the lower back causing tingling in both legs. I also have a problem with balance and use a cane. I am working on having a railing installed in the hallway so I don’t fall down the stairs. I use the walls now.

Does anyone have any encouraging thoughts? Within two years I’ve not driven because I could not feel the pedel It’s gotten worse. I fear I will end up wheelchair bound. Yesterday my legs felt weak and shaky. The left gave out for a split second. I would have dropped if it “went”.

Has anyone been through this anything like this? I looked up polyradiculopathy and didn’t get a whole lot. I did get pub med but that stuff is too complex. If I’m in the wrong place could someone direct me.

Thank you.