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Good evening @jeffkboyce, I have just re-read your post about neuropathy symptoms. And I am having a good evening so let's see what we can share. First of all, I took the opportunity to read your profile and review your previous posts. It does seem like you have had more than recent and sudden neurological symptoms that can be categorized as neuropathic. I am trying to remember what finally took me to a neurologist and how long it took before I was given a diagnosis of SFN, small fiber neuropathy.
Like you, I was a very active trekker, walking anywhere from 3 to 15 miles a day in various parts of the world with a group of friends several times a year for at least 10 years. I also lived for 23 years at 6,000 feet in the mountains which did a lot for my cardiovascular system. My neuropathy was diagnosed within a reasonably short time by a skin punch biopsy on my ankle after the symptoms began. It was actually my orthopedic surgeon who recognized the symptoms and led the way for me. First, he sent me to a rheumatologist. She gave me a huge dose of Vitamin D and sent me back. Then he sent me to a Neurologist and he was the one who watched me walk, did some EMG tests ordered an MRI, and reviewed my history of 14 orthopedic surgeries that started when I was 13 years old.
So although the cause was "trauma" due to accidents and surgeries, the symptoms didn't accumulate to be recognizable as SFN until the tingles began in my feet and hands. I do remember that he pulled his chair over close to me and introduced the concept of neuropathy very gently. Now I know why. And now, I can literally watch the progression of this "nerve" disease sort of take over my life.
Within the last year, I have revisited the neurology team as they attempt to understand in what direction I may be headed. It seems that leg weakness has begun which can be attributed to radiculopathy or what is called "pinched nerves" as a result of the injuries and surgeries I have accumulated at the age of 81.
So it looks like you are seeking a timely diagnosis and some understanding about where you are headed. I hope this neuropathy "autobiography" of mine fills in some of the missing links and individual wonderments. I would appreciate learning about your findings and discoveries. I am here on Connect to help folks like both of us.
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris
Replies to "Good evening @jeffkboyce, I have just re-read your post about neuropathy symptoms. And I am having..."
The oddest sensation I have is buzzing on my left foot which is tied to a muscle twitch in my calf and insole. I was diagnosed with BFS and I have been told this sensation is very common among BFS sufferers. It is transient and resolves after awhile when I stand still. Is this a common neuropathy symptom? This is what I first noticed one morning along with tingling. It was with me for a few days then went away tjen I went back to my workouts but less frequency (still high intensity) then it came back and has been with me for 2 months. The buzzing seems to be getting a little better the tingling in my right foot goes away if I lift my leg in certain positions but is enhanced if I do mild nerve flossing exercises
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Thanks a lot Chris! I appreciate you taking time read my note and look at my posting history. Indeed my tent is getting older I need to expect that changes are going to occur. 😀 Yes I have had some strange sensations on my knee and I have BFS for sure. I had some very very mild tingling that after an L4 nerve root injection resolved and it hasn’t been much of issue since. These particular foot issues just started one day, are different and more pronounced. I have had very mild glucose increase post statin but I read for neuropathy to occur in that case you need to be diabetic and it comes on slowly - not suddenly. I do have a back issue which was what I first suspected to be the culprit- which if true all of the exercises I was doing built up aggregation and I progressed my condition or created some flare. Previously though it would improve with rest and then ultimately it resolved. It really isn’t I am seeing some slight improvement but not alot. What puzzles me is the ortho was pretty much a wait and see let’s do another injection and see what improves what doesn’t etc. In this case I am 2 months in with no answers. So I am driving the process now to get to a diagnosis. The EMG test should provide some clues? I am so glad you are having a very good day and thanks again!