Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

Posted by rabbit10 @rabbit10, Apr 9, 2016

Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

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@johnbishop

Hi - I've had peripheral neuropathy in my feet and now legs for a little over 10 years. I'm probably more fortunate than most since mine is mostly numbness and tingling and no sharp pains. My doctors had me on gabapentin for awhile but it did nothing for me and when I discussed it with a new doctor team I was told gabapentin is only for pain and not numbness. I had to have an ECS and MRI before I could meet with a neurologist. The tests confirmed I have nerve damage but we still don't know the root cause. I have an appointment for May 2nd with the neurologist and I'm hoping to find out what type of neuropathy I have which may help when talking with other people with the same type of neuropathy who have found what works for them. Two excellent sources of information are the MN Neuropathy Association (http://www.neuropathy-mn.org/) and the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (https://www.foundationforpn.org/).

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John, My neuropathy was caused by vasculitis (GPA Wegeners) after extensive nerve testing including surgery to remove a portion of the nerve in my ankle for biopsy (I don't remember the exact terminology). That was an extremely painful process & recovery as well. My nerves are mostly damaged and not much chance of rejuvenation. Catching it early, especially with Wegeners (incureable) is crucial to your future over-all health. I hope this helps and you can determine what is causing the neuropathy. Keep us posted. 

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About 10 years ago when I had my doctor how they can tell if I have peripheral neuropathy, he said they could run some tests but they were expensive and may cause a little pain. I then asked him if the tests show I have nerve damage what can you do. When he said nothing I decided why have the tests. I've come to regret it a little since it's gone from the toes and bottoms of the feet up to below the knees. So now that I have had the ECG and MRIs that show nerve damage I'm waiting to see if the neurologist at Mayo will be able to tell me the specific type of neuropathy I have or if I need additional tests to make the determination. My doctor team at the Mayo Family Clinic thinks it's associated with pre-diabetes but I'm not buying that diagosis just because I've had it for a long time and do not have diabetes. I think it's related to my PMR which is mostly in remission. I have a friend with peripheral neuropathy that was helped by treatments through the Realief Neuropathy Center in St Louis Park, MN but they are really expensive. There is also a group of members of the MN Neuropathy Association that have had a lot of success using electrotherapy(?) with the Zopec DT-1200 device. I'm really hoping that there is some natural treatment that will reduce the numbness so I have been trying lots of different lotions and cremes with not much success so far. Another resource you can tap into looking for people with the same condition for advice or just to vent is the closed Facebook group Our Neuropathy Friends. Great group of people that are pretty active. Thanks for listening...praying that you all will find some relief.

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@johnbishop

About 10 years ago when I had my doctor how they can tell if I have peripheral neuropathy, he said they could run some tests but they were expensive and may cause a little pain. I then asked him if the tests show I have nerve damage what can you do. When he said nothing I decided why have the tests. I've come to regret it a little since it's gone from the toes and bottoms of the feet up to below the knees. So now that I have had the ECG and MRIs that show nerve damage I'm waiting to see if the neurologist at Mayo will be able to tell me the specific type of neuropathy I have or if I need additional tests to make the determination. My doctor team at the Mayo Family Clinic thinks it's associated with pre-diabetes but I'm not buying that diagosis just because I've had it for a long time and do not have diabetes. I think it's related to my PMR which is mostly in remission. I have a friend with peripheral neuropathy that was helped by treatments through the Realief Neuropathy Center in St Louis Park, MN but they are really expensive. There is also a group of members of the MN Neuropathy Association that have had a lot of success using electrotherapy(?) with the Zopec DT-1200 device. I'm really hoping that there is some natural treatment that will reduce the numbness so I have been trying lots of different lotions and cremes with not much success so far. Another resource you can tap into looking for people with the same condition for advice or just to vent is the closed Facebook group Our Neuropathy Friends. Great group of people that are pretty active. Thanks for listening...praying that you all will find some relief.

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Autoimmunity caused mine, which is now severe. I have Sjogren's Syndrome but a number of autoimmune diseases can cause it. Just a thought.

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@rabbit10

John thanks for your reply. The cause is unknown in my case. But I have constant tingling on legs and arms. Of course it is worse at night when trying to sleep. Sometimes I get a strong pain in my right leg near the knee and one in my thigh. I use a tens machine for the pain but the tingling and numbness doesn't stop. I also have restless legs and take requip for that along with tramadol. It helps with the rls but no the tingling and numbness.<br />
<br />

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Hyland's pills for RLS at Walmart (50ct) costs $6.54. FYI...<br />

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@johnbishop

Hi - I've had peripheral neuropathy in my feet and now legs for a little over 10 years. I'm probably more fortunate than most since mine is mostly numbness and tingling and no sharp pains. My doctors had me on gabapentin for awhile but it did nothing for me and when I discussed it with a new doctor team I was told gabapentin is only for pain and not numbness. I had to have an ECS and MRI before I could meet with a neurologist. The tests confirmed I have nerve damage but we still don't know the root cause. I have an appointment for May 2nd with the neurologist and I'm hoping to find out what type of neuropathy I have which may help when talking with other people with the same type of neuropathy who have found what works for them. Two excellent sources of information are the MN Neuropathy Association (http://www.neuropathy-mn.org/) and the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (https://www.foundationforpn.org/).

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Thank you for your reply. The one thing I've learned from everyone is to keep searching and trying new treatments until you find something that works since most only work for 20 to 25% of people with neuropathy. Hoping you are able to get some relief too.<br />
<br />

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@johnbishop

About 10 years ago when I had my doctor how they can tell if I have peripheral neuropathy, he said they could run some tests but they were expensive and may cause a little pain. I then asked him if the tests show I have nerve damage what can you do. When he said nothing I decided why have the tests. I've come to regret it a little since it's gone from the toes and bottoms of the feet up to below the knees. So now that I have had the ECG and MRIs that show nerve damage I'm waiting to see if the neurologist at Mayo will be able to tell me the specific type of neuropathy I have or if I need additional tests to make the determination. My doctor team at the Mayo Family Clinic thinks it's associated with pre-diabetes but I'm not buying that diagosis just because I've had it for a long time and do not have diabetes. I think it's related to my PMR which is mostly in remission. I have a friend with peripheral neuropathy that was helped by treatments through the Realief Neuropathy Center in St Louis Park, MN but they are really expensive. There is also a group of members of the MN Neuropathy Association that have had a lot of success using electrotherapy(?) with the Zopec DT-1200 device. I'm really hoping that there is some natural treatment that will reduce the numbness so I have been trying lots of different lotions and cremes with not much success so far. Another resource you can tap into looking for people with the same condition for advice or just to vent is the closed Facebook group Our Neuropathy Friends. Great group of people that are pretty active. Thanks for listening...praying that you all will find some relief.

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Thank you. I also think my autoimmune disease caused my neuropathy which is what I'm hoping I find out from the neurologist next Month.<br />
<br />

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Thank you some days are good and some not so good so I take it a day at a time<br />
<br />

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Keep us updated. Good luck<br />
<br />

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Thanks worth a try<br />
<br />

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@johnbishop

About 10 years ago when I had my doctor how they can tell if I have peripheral neuropathy, he said they could run some tests but they were expensive and may cause a little pain. I then asked him if the tests show I have nerve damage what can you do. When he said nothing I decided why have the tests. I've come to regret it a little since it's gone from the toes and bottoms of the feet up to below the knees. So now that I have had the ECG and MRIs that show nerve damage I'm waiting to see if the neurologist at Mayo will be able to tell me the specific type of neuropathy I have or if I need additional tests to make the determination. My doctor team at the Mayo Family Clinic thinks it's associated with pre-diabetes but I'm not buying that diagosis just because I've had it for a long time and do not have diabetes. I think it's related to my PMR which is mostly in remission. I have a friend with peripheral neuropathy that was helped by treatments through the Realief Neuropathy Center in St Louis Park, MN but they are really expensive. There is also a group of members of the MN Neuropathy Association that have had a lot of success using electrotherapy(?) with the Zopec DT-1200 device. I'm really hoping that there is some natural treatment that will reduce the numbness so I have been trying lots of different lotions and cremes with not much success so far. Another resource you can tap into looking for people with the same condition for advice or just to vent is the closed Facebook group Our Neuropathy Friends. Great group of people that are pretty active. Thanks for listening...praying that you all will find some relief.

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Thanks JOhn that's why I posted that question to see how others got thei diagnosis and what they are doing for treatment. As we know every one is different bit I<br />
Am willing any suggestion because who knows one of the suggestions<br />
Might work. Can't go to MN too<br />
Far away but maybe there is someone closer.<br />
<br />

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