Peripheral Neuropathy

[artme]

Been having trouble with numbness in the feet for several months now. It started out with just the toes but now, at times, it goes all the way to just above the ankles.

It isn't bad, feels like a very tight sock. However I do some times stumble after getting up in the morning, when the effects are worse. I don't really know where my feet are!:doh:

Specialist has sent me off to another specialist - neurologist.- to see what can be done. Apparently there is some treatment available.

My only hope is that it doesn't start in my hands. I guess time will tell.

[dai sensei]

Not good news mate. I don't know the illness, but hopefully they have something to get it until control and stop the spread.

All the best.

[Chipman]

My wife has it quite badly and I can only have empathy for anyone with it. Sadly, treatments work for some but are ineffectual for others (my good wife)

Artme, I hope you can get the treatment you need,

Kind regards,

Chipman

[tea lady]

:C Hope they find something that helps.

[artme]

Thanks all!:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

I had best get into the woodheap before thing do get worse!:D

[wheelinround]

Arthur welcome to the club my main disability is called Charcot Marie Tooth do a search you'll find some interesting info. I am not main steam and the good news is recently the gene DNA has been found which has the fault.:2tsup:

[Keith_W]

Hope you are one of the lucky ones that the treatments avalliable will work for you artme.
Sorry that there isnt much treatments for your CMT wheelinround.

Haveing had half of my foot amputated from an industrial accident and all the problems that I am experiancing walking again can sympetsise your two problems.

The positive attituded that wheelinround has is an insparation and you will get on top of your problem artme im sure.

Regards,
Keith.

[joe greiner]

Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy isn't a disease of its own; more like a family of symptoms which can vary all over the lot. I've been told by my neurologist that there can be up to 150 real diseases. Most commonly, diabetes is an influence, so get checked for that at least. (Absent for me).

Mine (many years now) manifests itself with a burning sensation in the feet, typically after strenuous yard work, sometimes not. Numbness would be a great relief. There are some topical treatments based on capsaicin, the hot stuff in chili peppers; I take mine internally from jalapeno peppers. I don't know if it helps, but it gives my gut a workout.

Google isn't much of a friend for this one - too many possibilities.

According to Hippocrates, the physician's mission is to amuse the patient while Nature cures the disease. Laughter really is pretty good medicine.

Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this!"
Doctor: "Well, don't do that!"

Cheers,
Joe

[artme]

Yes, the specialist told me that there is no singular cause for the problem and more often than not no cause is found. My blood sugar level is fine,so that is one thing ruled out.

I originally thought that this sensation was caused by lower back problems. I have Ankylosing spondylitis , stenosis and some disc problems. My back is giving me curry at the moment but it is not the cause of the problem in the feet. Just one of those wait and see things that afflict us from time to time.

[wheelinround]

Hope you are one of the lucky ones that the treatments avalliable will work for you artme.
Sorry that there isnt much treatments for your CMT wheelinround.

Haveing had half of my foot amputated from an industrial accident and all the problems that I am experiancing walking again can sympetsise your two problems.

The positive attituded that wheelinround has is an insparation and you will get on top of your problem artme im sure.

Regards,
Keith.

:B Thanks Keith

Oatly :rolleyes: I used to live over the hill Mortdale dad worked at what was Mortdale Bolwing club I went to Mortdale Primary one near the brick pit.

[munruben]

Sorry to hear you are having problems Arthur and hope the specialist can fix you up pretty quick. When you got to see the specialist?

[nine fingers]

Been having trouble with numbness in the feet for several months now. It started out with just the toes but now, at times, it goes all the way to just above the ankles.

It isn't bad, feels like a very tight sock. However I do some times stumble after getting up in the morning, when the effects are worse. I don't really know where my feet are!:doh:

Specialist has sent me off to another specialist - neurologist.- to see what can be done. Apparently there is some treatment available.

My only hope is that it doesn't start in my hands. I guess time will tell.
I have numbness in both feet for a several years , seen a specialist about 4 years ago , had all the tests , couldn't come up with any positive cause, have blood tests every few months , checking everything.
I had bad back problems about 30 years ago, and lost feeling down the side of my ankle, over the years it progressed to both feet.
Stood on a nail about 3 years ago in the workshop, didn,t know until I took my shoe off about 4 hours later ,sock covered in blood.
With it I have bad circulation in both legs, I don't fly anymore , driving I have a break every hour or two.
regards John.

[artme]

Not good NF. I certainly hope it doesn't get any worse for you.

I must agree that Wheelin is an inspiration. What a great pity that there seems to be nothing that can be done for CMT at the moment.

I see the next specialist in about a month. One thing about what I have- or seem to have - is that under certain circumstances it may be controlled to some extent. From what the specialist said the other day my problem is not caused by my lower back problem. He was very thorough and specific with his questioning,.so I don't think there is any doubt about what I have.

The next specialist may have more definitive ansewers as to possible causes and possible treatments.

[Ad de Crom]

Arthur, not so nice, hope you meet soon the right specialist who can really tells you what's wrong.
My wife has rheumatic for a long time, had several specialist in several hospitals, untill she found the right rheuma specialist. He give her now the right treatment she need.
Sometimes you have to push a specialist to get his attention. That's exactly what she did.
Ad

[rsser]

Also consider acupuncture.

There are some doctors who've qualified in it so there's a Medicare rebate.

I had it in Hong Kong years ago, and more recently in Melbourne, for a digestion problem that doctors couldn't diagnose; the effects were miraculous and also fairly short lived, but it helped me get a grip on the problem.

[wheelinround]

Also consider acupuncture.

There are some doctors who've qualified in it so there's a Medicare rebate.

I had it in Hong Kong years ago, and more recently in Melbourne, for a digestion problem that doctors couldn't diagnose; the effects were miraculous and also fairly short lived, but it helped me get a grip on the problem.


Ern were you having acupuncture for the wrists ??

Arthur have they done nerve conductivity tests as yet http://funny4myspace.com/smileys/jan06/36_11_23%5B1%5D.gif

[rsser]

No Ray; for the digestion as I mentioned.

[Dengue]

hi artme, I have the same problem with burning feet. Started on one toe, spread throughout the foot, then to the other foot.

I have been to GP, podiatrist, physio and naturopath to try and find a cause and a cure, with no luck. I had put it down to a deterioration of a long term lower back problem, but the physio rejected this idea because the burning was in both feet.

GP thought the neurologist would be a waste of time, as they would only do the same test she did ( touching feet with a pin to see if I could feel it)

What exactly did the neurologist say you had?

[artme]

Might give the acupuncture a go. Thanks Ern.

No Ray, none of those tests yet.

JillB - just that, peripheral neuropathy.

My left foot is more effected than my right foot, and some days are worse than others. If this is as bad as ity gets for me then I can cope easily. First neurologist isn't sure that I won't get worse. Ah well, we'll see.

[wheelinround]

Burning feet syndrome can be caused by many things one of which being sciatica

[artme]

Specialist looked at the sciatica angle. I get that sometimes, but rarelly.

The sensation has worked its way up to my calves this morning , as it has on other days. That will fade though.

[joe greiner]

Burning feet syndrome can be caused by many things one of which being sciatica
Yep - that too. Might be a cause, or might just be a companion illness.

Vitamin B-12 is supposed to aid nerve growth or restoration, and there seems to be no toxic dosage.

Cheers with hope,
Joe

[wheelinround]

Yep - that too. Might be a cause, or might just be a companion illness.

Vitamin B-12 is supposed to aid nerve growth or restoration, and there seems to be no toxic dosage.

Cheers with hope,
Joe

You'd think but with CMT suffers like myself its on the Do Not Take list. I have done even had B-12 shots by Dr after a heavy weekend :roll:

[artme]

One of the treatments for PN is an anti-depressant called Cymbalta. As I already take that to keep the Black Dog at bay I gues that things could be worse.

Also means 2 for the price of one>:D:D

[wheelinround]

One of the treatments for PN is an anti-depressant called Cymbalta. As I already take that to keep the Black Dog at bay I gues that things could be worse.

Also means 2 for the price of one>:D:D

I refuse to take anti-depressants mother was giving me Valium when doing my school cert :roll: never again.:no:

[joe greiner]

You'd think but with CMT suffers like myself its on the Do Not Take list. I have done even had B-12 shots by Dr after a heavy weekend :roll:
Bummer. Might be a drug interaction problem.

(Sorry for the late reply, Ray. I hadn't checked this thread for a while.)

Joe

[artme]

I refuse to take anti-depressants mother was giving me Valium when doing my school cert :roll: never again.:no:

Valium is not an anti-depressant. It's a tranquilizer. There is a difference.

If I didn't take anti-depressents I most certainly wouldn' be around for you lot to enjoy my company!:p:p:p

[rsser]

Artme is right; primary purpose is sedative but it has also been prescribed to a lesser extent as an AD (as well as for a whole lot of other conditions).

[wheelinround]

Bummer. Might be a drug interaction problem.

(Sorry for the late reply, Ray. I hadn't checked this thread for a while.)

Joe

Your right Joe ............its long be a consideration that my problem came about soon after having the Triple Antigen when a kid. No way of knowing for sure.:~

[wheelinround]

Valium is not an anti-depressant. It's a tranquilizer. There is a difference.

If I didn't take anti-depressents I most certainly wouldn' be around for you lot to enjoy my company!:p:p:p

Eggsactly imagine trying to concentrate or even think and stay awake while doing exams.

I have also seen what many go through on antidepresents :no: usually over prescribed and they never solve the problems in the peoples lives.

[artme]

Saw the neurologist to-day and she confirmed that I have Peripheral Neuropathy.

Need to have a full spinal MRI to clarify this and other problems. No recommended treatment but it was interesting to learn that anti- cholesterol drugs, such as Crestor can cause or exacerbate the problem.

While Cymbalta is used to treat the problem it is not the most effective drug to use.

I'm not a case worthy of intervention yet and the problem seems to have settled somewhat and is not getting any worse. At least I son'thave to take any more bloody pills.

[wheelinround]

Saw the neurologist to-day and she confirmed that have Peripheral Neuropathy.

Need to have a full spinal MRI to clarify this and other problems. No recommended treatment but it was interesting to learn that anti- cholesterol drugs, such as Crestor can cause or exacerbate the problem.

While Cymbalta is used to treat the problem it is not the most effective drug to use.

I'm not a case worthy of intervention yet and the problem seems to have settled somewhat and is not getting any worse. At least I son'thave to take any more bloody pills.

There are a whole series of drugs can exacerbate the problem. see email

[artme]

Well it's not worth meddling with the spine and that is fine by me.

BUT I have a measure of glucose intoleranc. ie. the first early warning of diabetes type2. So off with the excess avoidupoise and a bit more exercise. Specialist thinks that this will totally reverse the symptoms, even if it takes time.

The reason for the numbness/tingling is that the nerve endings are being bathed in sugars and this prvents them from working properly.

For those of you who are wondering. my blood sugars are fine and so are my urine samples. This test picks up the very earliest staages og diabetes type2.

So, if you have tingly feet get a glucose tolerance test done.

[tea lady]

Well at least is IS fixable unlike the other thing they were thinking it was. What was the test? Was it like the one I had to do when I was pregnant? Drink a bottle of the sweetest green lemonade you have ever had and hang round for a blood test?

[artme]

Well at least is IS fixable unlike the other thing they were thinking it was. What was the test? Was it like the one I had to do when I was pregnant? Drink a bottle of the sweetest green lemonade you have ever had and hang round for a blood test?


That's the one!

[Dengue]

hi Artme. Many thanks for all this valuable information. After doing all the things outlined in my previous post (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f136/peripheral-neuropathy-115055/index2.html#post1129882) above, I finally went back to my GP and asked for a blood glucose tolerance test. He poo-pooed the idea, as I had previously had the diabetes test done recently, and that was -ve. He said he was pretty sure the burning was due to anti-cholesterol medication ( Lipitor). I had given that medication away for a month, and it made no difference to my feet burning.


As I needed a cholesterol test with a view to getting off the Lipitor for a much longer period, I asked that he include the glucose tolerance test.

So I did the blood test, which involved an initial blood collection, then a 75ml syrupy lemonade drink which was quite OK, then another blood collection 2 hours later. Apparently up until recently this was a particluarly yukky drink.

Two days later I got a call from my GP to come and see him. Turns out I had Pre-diabetes with Impaired Glucose Tolerance, and was borderline diabetic type 2. The normal diabetes blood test does not pick this up. You can read a good publication on it here (http://www.diabetesvic.org.au/AboutDiabetes/Prediabetes/tabid/90/Default.aspx). I have also attached a more detailed article from that site below.

The GP said that the burning was due to all the excess sugar around the nerve endings of my feet.

He also said that 30% of people with this improve with diet and exercise, 30% stabilise at this level, and the remaining 40% go on to full blown diabetes, which was likely in my case because I already had the burning in my feet for the past 2 years. I could have killed the bastard! All that time it has taken to find the cause, and then only because of what I had learnt on this Forum with this thread, and insisting on the glucose tolerance blood test be done.

He then went on to tell me that I have to be treated as if I had full blown diabetes, with daily exercise to burn up the sugar and medication called Metformin that lowers high blood glucose by helping the body make better use of the insulin produced by your pancreas. Which also gives diarrhea!

So, I have consulted with a dietician - absolutely no sugar items allowed any more - sweets, cakes, flavoured drinks etc, and off to the gym everyday. I have to lose 10kg and the problem will probably go away, she said. I have chucked the Lipitor too, so am expecting the cholesterol levle to jump markedly, but hope to bring it down with this new diet and exercise regime. The doctor said the Lipitor is particularly effective in reducing cholesterol levels, and my levels will now shoot up quite a bit. I have to get another blood test in 3 months time and report back.

Damn!! That as well as PVD ( tearing) of the retinas and continuous blurry vision make this a difficult time, but there are others much worse off.

But many thanks again to this Forum, and particularly Artme for sharing his experiences.

[rsser]

Crikey Jill, that's a difficult outcome for you but v. instructive for the rest of us.

Onya for pushing back.

[acmegridley]

I was a type 2 up until 2 weeks ago, now am type 1 insulin dependent. I could not exercise because of a back problem ,I had a piece of cartilage from my spine impinging on the sciatic nerve,had this operated on 12 months ago, only coming good now.I have now pretty good control of my diabetes and am looking forward to tossing a couple of pills, namely Metformin and Amaryl and only having night time shot of Lantus ,(long acting insulin).Starting to get back into exercise now have to have at least one hour walking per day does not matter how, could be two half hour stints,4 quarter hour stints.Let me assure you the older it gets the worse it gets the pancreas gradually works less and less efficiently.I have a ten year old grandaughter with type 1 ,caught it from a virus, so don't believe that it is hereditary, or is from lack of exercise, overeating etc whilst these do not help,it just goes to show how it effects different people different ways.She is about to be interviewed on ABC as she is one of the few people in Aussie with a Paradigm insulin pump which is worn around the waist and constantly monitors her blood sugar so her mother only has to look at a small display to see her sugar levels and the give her the appropriate dose of insulin.She is marvellous with her diabetes, knows when she is high or low, what she can and cant eat etc .

[artme]

Glad to see I've helped at least one person in this world.

Acme, Your post is thought provoking and imely. W e have priends whose son suddenly devloped diabetes type1. Absolutely no family history. Slender , fit kid too.He is coping very well.and realizes that, as yet, there is no cure.