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Why do I have all symptoms of neuropathy but Dr can not detect it
I had chemotherapy in 2023 after all treatments soon afterwards I have tingling, numbness in toes, feels like frostbite. painful to walk, constant foot cramps and legs cramps, burning sensation in legs and arms. Tingling and numbness in fingers and hands and also cramps. Can hardly write. Saw a neurologist and had EMG tests and results were neuropathy non detection. How is this so I am not making up my pains they are constant . I do not have diabetes. I have scheduled to get a 2nd opinion.
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Welcome @queeniep69, Sorry to hear you have developed neuropathy from your chemotherapy treatments. You aren't alone as many members have shared their experience with chemo-induced neuropathy. It might be helpful to scan through the discussions and comments from other members to learn what they have shared - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/.
Here's an explanation of why the EMG test and nerve conduction tests are not positive for neuropathy for chemo-induced neuropathy.
"The diagnosis of CIPN can be established by clinical history and by development of symptoms and signs attributable to neuropathy. Neurologic electrodiagnostic tests such as nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) are used to evaluate the peripheral nervous system, but in the case of CIPN they often lack the capacity to detect changes in otherwise clinically present neuropathy [15,17]. This derives from the limitation of NCS being able to detect changes only in thick and myelinated fibers [17]. Overall, CIPN is clinically characterized by the appearance of tactile symptoms, initially in distal parts of the extremities, progressing to more proximal parts."
-- Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) in Patients Receiving 4–6 Cycles of Platinum-Based and Taxane-Based Chemotherapy: A Prospective, Single-Center Study from Kosovo:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9443419/
If you haven't already seen these resources, I thought they might help you learn more about the condition and what can help manage the symptoms:
-- Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) Pocket Guide:
https://healingworksfoundation.org/resource/chemotherapy-induced-peripheral-neuropathy-cipn-pocket-guide/
-- Exercise for CIPN: https://www.foundationforpn.org/exercise-for-cipn/
Have your doctors offered any suggestions for treating or managing the neuropathy symptoms from the chemotherapy?