Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Welcome to the Neuropathy group.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet other people who are dealing with neuropathy. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with neuropathy, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you’ll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentor John (@johnbishop) and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What concerns would you like to talk about?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@lyndajenn

I am currently being worked up for peripheral neuropathy. I have an EMG Wednesday and see a neurologist in3 weeks. I am perusing the comments and
experiences of others as I move through this.

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I had a EMG and had just a tiny stinging sensation during the procedure. It was easy for me. Mine was done by the neurologist and he was very good. If you relax, it should not bother you much.

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@johnbishop

Hello Scott @revfluegel, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. @egayle187 @jenniferhunter @suzylulu and other members have discussed similar symptoms of feelings like bugs crawling around under the skin and electric shocks and may be able to share their experience with you.

I also take supplements to help with my idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I shared my story in another discussion which you might find helpful - Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

You mentioned you believe your neuropathy may be related to your service deployment in the middle east. The VA has some information that might be helpful if you have not already seen it - Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/

Do you mind sharing what supplements that you are taking and if you are also taking any medications to help with your neuropathy?

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Hi Scott,
I am relatively new to mayo connect (about 6 days ago) and I was given the same identical diagnosis by Mayo in MN. I said axonal what?? My motor skills in both legs is the biggest challenge. Mayo told me not to take Lyrica and Gabapentin created angry issues. I find it frustrating because I do not know of anyone else that has this and I reside in a low populated beach community. No known cause for me means no treatment plan. Most things, I've found out on my own. Neurologists kind of shrug their shoulders. So, you are no alone with this and I hope you can manage through this. Not easy, that's for sure.

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@leonallison662

There are many causes of neuropathy. Diabetes is the number one cause in the United States. Other common causes include trauma, chemotherapy, alcoholism, and autoimmune diseases.

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Welcome @leonallison662, You are so right about the many, many causes of neuropathy. I'm thinking even my idiopathic small fiber PN doesn't mean it is without a cause...they just don't know what it is. How about you, have you been diagnosed with neuropathy?

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Thank you for doing this. I have been dealing with neuropathy and other nerve related issues for 40 years with very little relief. I hope this will help.

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@rocketdad

Thank you for doing this. I have been dealing with neuropathy and other nerve related issues for 40 years with very little relief. I hope this will help.

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Hi @rocketdad, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear that you have been dealing with neuropathy and other related issues for 40 years with not much relief. There is a lot of information out there but you really have to do your research and find reliable sources. Here are a couple in case you haven't seen them.

-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/index.php/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/

Are you able to share a little more about your diagnosis and the symptoms that are most bothersome?

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I began to have numbness in both feet and one calf after ankle surgery. In the Nursing facility, I complained about the pressure on my lower back, but no one offered to make me more comfortable. Recently, I have been diagnosed with S1 Radiculopathy. I have gone to a chiropractor for a month which has not helped. I am so depressed about this as I always feel like I’m wearing a high boot on my right leg. At night, my feet get hot. I’m seeing a Neurologist at Mass General Hospital and hope and pray this condition can be healed!

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@marksmom

I began to have numbness in both feet and one calf after ankle surgery. In the Nursing facility, I complained about the pressure on my lower back, but no one offered to make me more comfortable. Recently, I have been diagnosed with S1 Radiculopathy. I have gone to a chiropractor for a month which has not helped. I am so depressed about this as I always feel like I’m wearing a high boot on my right leg. At night, my feet get hot. I’m seeing a Neurologist at Mass General Hospital and hope and pray this condition can be healed!

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Hi @marksmom, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear you haven't gotten any relief yet. It's good to hear you have an appointment with a neurologist at Mass General Hospital. Hopefully they can help you with a treatment for the S1 Radiculopathy. From what I've read surgery can help but that might be a question when you have your upcoming appointment.

"Corticosteroid injections reduce pain by suppressing inflammation around the irritated nerve. This is an excellent treatment for L5 or S1 radiculopathy when other conservative, nonsurgical treatments have not worked. There are generally two reasons for surgery. The first is significant weakness, such as a foot drop."
--- Sciatica and radiculopathy: Peculiar names for shooting back, leg pain: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/sciatica-and-radiculopathy-peculiar-names

Do you have any pain with the right leg and lower back?

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@johnbishop

Hi @marksmom, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear you haven't gotten any relief yet. It's good to hear you have an appointment with a neurologist at Mass General Hospital. Hopefully they can help you with a treatment for the S1 Radiculopathy. From what I've read surgery can help but that might be a question when you have your upcoming appointment.

"Corticosteroid injections reduce pain by suppressing inflammation around the irritated nerve. This is an excellent treatment for L5 or S1 radiculopathy when other conservative, nonsurgical treatments have not worked. There are generally two reasons for surgery. The first is significant weakness, such as a foot drop."
--- Sciatica and radiculopathy: Peculiar names for shooting back, leg pain: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/sciatica-and-radiculopathy-peculiar-names

Do you have any pain with the right leg and lower back?

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Yes, I have lower back pain at times. I believe My nerves were damaged from compression while in a hospital bed at a nursing facility. My leg was raised and back was raised creating pressure especially on my lower right back. Thankfully, I don’t have any pain, just numbness which is enough to get me very upset!
Thank you for the information! Blessings to you!

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@johnbishop

Hi @marksmom, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear you haven't gotten any relief yet. It's good to hear you have an appointment with a neurologist at Mass General Hospital. Hopefully they can help you with a treatment for the S1 Radiculopathy. From what I've read surgery can help but that might be a question when you have your upcoming appointment.

"Corticosteroid injections reduce pain by suppressing inflammation around the irritated nerve. This is an excellent treatment for L5 or S1 radiculopathy when other conservative, nonsurgical treatments have not worked. There are generally two reasons for surgery. The first is significant weakness, such as a foot drop."
--- Sciatica and radiculopathy: Peculiar names for shooting back, leg pain: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/sciatica-and-radiculopathy-peculiar-names

Do you have any pain with the right leg and lower back?

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Left leg and back. Excruciating pain

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@daphnebattle

Left leg and back. Excruciating pain

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No. I only have pain in the left leg and left back right and left on neuropathy

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