How can a person be diagnosed with Neuropathy if they are not Diabetic

Posted by Dino Soke @dinosoke, 14 hours ago

I was told that I have Neuropathy in my right ankle and server infection in my left ankle. Now I am understanding that a person must be a diabetic in order to be diagnosed with Neuropathy. Is any of that true?

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I have developed neuropathy in my toes after chemo and do not have diabetes.

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I have developed neuropathy in my toes after chemo and do not have diabetes.

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@geet69 okay thank you for your response. Only mine is in my ankle and foot. One day the pain will be in the Arch of my foot and the next day it'll be on the side of the ankle and the next the pain will be on the other side of the ankle and so on. Some days it feels like I'm going to break the ankle and the pressure from standing is so server it feels like I am learning how to walk again. I'm so unbalanced it's pathetic considering that I have trained most of my life in the arts that teaches us to be balanced. The doctor that I have seen gave me a walking boot to wear and it actually helps a whole lot. Unfortunately I can't afford to be seen in the ER every single time and because we here in California were able to choose our own insurance policy it still gave every Doctor the same choice either to except the insurance or not and since I am on Medi-Cal I still can not find a medical office who will except me as a new patient. Just about ready to give up and see what's on the other side.

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Dino @dinosoke, There are many causes for neuropathy and even one when they can't pinpoint the exact cause of your neuropathy like mine - idiopathic small fiber PN. Here's more information from Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061.

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy also has a list of known causes and more if you care to learn more about neuropathy - https://www.foundationforpn.org/causes/.

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"Neuropathy"... the term literally means some sort of problem with the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy indicates a problem in the peripheral nerves, the nerves that run throughout your body, sending and receiving messages from the brain via the spinal cord. Those two comprise the central or autonomic nervous system. Smash your finger with a hammer...that pain is a response through the peripheral nerves. Pinch a nerve in your back...that's an issue with your central(autonomic) nervous system.
Neurologists study your nerves by conducting tests. Usually performing an EMG, or electro myelogram. I don't quite what exactly keys them in to a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. I fell skiing hard 3on my back. That damaged a whole bunch of nerves, and, as a result, I have nerve pain today ten years later. I didn't really need an EMG to tell me that I had neuropathy. This thing can be a real bugger to treat. They tell me there is no cure, just a bunch surgical and non-surgical treatments. I wish you well and hope you have a blessed Christmas.

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Diabetic neuropathy is simply the most common, and hence, the most talked about form of neuropathy.

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My neuropathy was diagnosed as "idiopathic" after seeing 4 neurologists and them doing countless tests over an 8 year period. My GP told me that up to 40% of patients with this 'frickn disease never get a cause determined, hence the term idiopathic. I've been dealing with the pain, numbness, and burning for 10 years now.

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