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Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

Neuropathy | Last Active: Apr 25 1:31pm | Replies (2916)

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@jenniferhunter

Hello, Beth. Welcome. An EMG will tell them something, but they probably don't have the time to test nerves all over your body and will probably focus on the area that is worst. I have had all the same symptoms because of cervical stenosis with spinal cord compression at C5 C6. If you have had a whiplash, that is the spine level that is often damaged. Some people get no pain when their spinal cord is compressed, but I had pain everywhere in my body, muscle twitches, pain in legs and feet, gait disturbances, bladder retention, throat pain, feeling like I was choking, horrible headaches up the back and side of my head, etc. I had muscle spasms that moved the cervical vertebra straightening the normal lordotic curve which increased symptoms because it pulled on my spine when there was no fluid space left around the spinal cord. If you have not had an MRI of your cervical spine, I would keep that in mind so you can either rule out spine issues or find them. You could also have a problem anywhere along the spine and compression will affect the levels below that area. The spine is mapped where nerves exit, but spinal cord compression does not follow that organized arrangement. I am a Mayo spine surgery patient and spine surgery resolved all those symptoms, and I've had a great recovery. 5 surgeons missed connecting my symptoms to the imaging in my neck and would not help me. That 's why I came to Mayo after reading a paper co authored by a neurosurgeon that described some similar symptoms, so I came to see him. He helped me right away, and was kind and compassionate. If your tests reveal a spine issue, and you want a recommendation for my surgeon, just ask. Mayo is great place if you need another opinion and they are very efficient and thorough.

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Replies to "Hello, Beth. Welcome. An EMG will tell them something, but they probably don't have the time..."

Thank you for responding. I was told if I had numbness in my face that it could not be coming from my neck. I did have a cervical MRI and it showed some mild degeneration. i know the EMG will not show all nerves affected, I'm expecting that it just be a start. I will need a skin biopsy to show if small fiber nerves are affected. The most depressing part is that I've learned despite having these tests and what they show, there's not much they can do for you. Thanks again for sharing.