Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Did your doctor look at the spider bite? Also, is skin tissue around the bite look or feel different? I would want to know if it were a particular spider like a brown recluse or black widow since they can cause nerve damage (I think).

"Black widow toxin causes nerve cell dysfunction and muscle cell twitching. Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles recluse) are tan to dark brown with a leg span of ..." --- Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider Bite: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_black_widow_and_recluse_spider_bite/article_em.htm

"The clinical manifestation of brown recluse spider bites varies from skin irritation, a small area of tissue damage to neuropathic pain, ..." --- Necrotic arachnidism and intractable pain from recluse spider bites treated with lumbar sympathetic block: a case report and review of literature: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21317774/

Thank you, John. I did have both my primary and my neurologist check the site of the spider bite. There was no sign of necrosis or other tissue damage. In truth, I waited for 2 weeks for the bite to resolve on its own, as such bites usually do. By the time I saw the docs, there was no visible sign of the bite. Even though I insisted the symptoms had to be related to the bite due to the timing of the onset of symptoms, my primary said he doubted it, and the neurologist opined that, while rare, an incident such as a bite *can* cause symptoms to begin. As my symptoms are on the lower leg just above the bite site, I have to reluctantly agree that such must be my case. I thought perhaps it would seem more macho if I were suffering from a bite from some rare, venomous arachnid. Nope, it's neuropathy, pure and simple.

Is there a major hospital near you providing a pain mgt clinic and also when was the last time you had a thorough physical?

I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet that came on all of a sudden in May 2019. It is gradually getting worse. Symptoms are numbness -- not really any pain or tinging just straight numbness. I feel it mainly when standing not sitting. It is worst first thing in the morning when standing when getting out of bed.

My frustration is not being able to find a cause.

Possible causes:

1) Low B12 - while I have low B12, I take shots and B12 is fine with the shots.
2) Blood sugar - fasting glucose is usually around 104, which is a bit high, but A1C is within range.
3) Alcohol - I do not drink at all since 1995
4) Circulation - my doctor says it is fine.
5) Lower back - I do have some issues in my lower back, but people examining MRIs cannot see a major problem.

None of the above is a "smoking gun".

I don't know what else to do to try to find a cause.

Hi Rick @rickhood, Welcome to Connect. Your symptoms sound pretty much like the situation I was in 20+ years ago. I had the numbness that started in the toes of both feet and gradually worked it's way up into my legs before I decided to get a diagnosis which was disappointing to say the least when I was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I shared my neuropathy story and what has helped me in another discussion here - Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

As far as getting a diagnosis, my own personal feeling is the getting the diagnosis is just the beginning of your journey. Unless you have nerve damage or compression that can be corrected by surgery or therapy of some sort there is no cure for neuropathy. You can find treatments and therapies to manage the symptoms and provide relief for any associated pain but that's kind of a downer for all of us when we start our journey and are looking for that one magic pill or treatment that will fix us and make us normal again. I would recommend learning as much as you can about your condition and what questions to ask when discussing treatments with your doctor.

Here are a few good sources for learning about neuropathy:
-- Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropady: https://www.foundationforpn.org/
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview

Have you been seen by a neurologist or had any tests like an electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test, or a skin punch biopsy?

Thank you for the response John.
A neurologist did tests in November 2019 -- I believe EMG. No smoking gun with the EMG test. Diagnosis was idiopathic polyneuropathy, possibly caused by pre-diabetes. A second neurologist, who I only saw via Zoom, said the even slightly elevated blood sugar could cause neuropathy, but that it was unusual that it did not start in the toes. Mine did not start in the toes, it started in the entire front part of the feet all at once (arches forward) and it remains mainly in the front foot. Massage helps it a lot -- I have a massage gun that helps but only temporary.
A chiropractor I went to thinks my back is the issue, but a specialist I went to see does not see anything of major concern in the MRI of my lower back nor in the Xray of my feet. The chiropractor thought cortisone shot in the back might help but the specialist thought that was unlikely, although that is still a possibility, I see him again in 4 months.

Have you heard about Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR)? @artscaping and others have found it helpful for their neuropathy symptoms. Here's a discussion with more information.

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Hi. I have tarsal tunnel syndrome probably caused by fallen arches which made my flat feet even flatter. The left foot is much worse than the right. The left foot is much flatter than the right. I have had 3 decompressions on my left foot with no results. Not even from day 1. This all happened 4 yrs ago after my second tkr. My feet are constant freezing, burning, tingling all at the same time. Nothing helps. 600 mg gabapentin 3 times day. R-lipoic acid, b complex vitamins. I am probably literally walking on my nerves. Same with or without my orthotics. PT to eliminate scar tissue but no help with sympthoms. I am literally at wits end. Any suggestions!

@kp6350 I would take a look at the amount of vitamin B6 in the B complex vitamins you are taking along with B6 in any food. It is one of the vitamins that can induce peripheral neuropahy if you get too much (toxicity) or have a deficiency. More info here - Vitamin B6 Toxicity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554500/

Have you seen or heard about Myofascial Release Therapy? Others like @artscaping may be able to share how it's helped their symptoms.

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Any treatments for gum neuropathy, had for year.