Peripheral Neuropathy

[Madwife]

Hi Guys! Just a quick question as to whether any of you do or have sufferred with peripheral neuropathy?

I have had complete loss of feeling within my feet since March now and have only just been seen by my consultant today who is going to refer me for nerve conduction studies. It's a bit of a nightmare as if I'm not collapsing through POTS / NCS symptoms then I'm tripping over my feet because I can't feel them or control them when weight bearing.

I'm just trying to think about the possible causes of this and was wondering if it may be realted to the POTS/NCS/CFS/Seizures in anyway????

[Jersey Girl]

I had nerve conduction studies on my left arm that had to be prematurely stopped because they were too painful. I still have symptoms though. Martha

[Madwife]

Hi Jersey Girl! What exactly did they do? From my own professional knowledge I am under the impression that they just place templates on the skin surface and insert small needles for muscle conduction side...is this what you experienced? How long have you had problems with your arm, if you don't mind me asking, and have they ever indicated it may be related to the POTS / Autonomic dysfunction in anyway?

Thanks for replying!

[Jersey Girl]

What you described sounds like what they did to me, but I honestly blocked out alot of what happened that day because I was feeling so crummy. To me it was like what I would imagine being electrocuted would feel like, but I was so ultrasensitive to any kind of stimulation then. I began to scream because of the pain, so the physician became angry and had to stop the test. I still have numbness on my left side that only went away for the brief time I was on Florinef (over reacted to that medication too!) Sorry I can't be of anymore help on this matter. Martha

[Madwife]

Typical physician...if they were in our shoes I'm sure they would be screaming too! Thanks for your input Martha it's interesting to see how many of us have suffered with this.

Take Care x

[ariella]

hi

I've been unofficially told that I have peripheral neuropathy, I get severe burning sensations on the soles of my feet, and some itching in the palms of my hands. It is not constant and wasn't going on when they did my EMG. BTW, I did the EMG on day that I also had some kind of virus or mild flu, was feeling feverish, so it increased the pain. The EMG did not show anything up, but I was asymptomatic for neuropathy at the time. They did the test as part of a series to evaluate a neuromuscular issue. Endocrinologist still thinks it's a no-brainer that I have some peripheral neuropathy. I do not take anything for it because it's relatively mild and not constant.

Good luck! (it helps to try and focus on something else during the test and keep telling yourself that it won't last forever)

Ariella

[Sunfish]

hi-

i have periods when i cannot feel my feet but it comes and goes. i also had a period where my left arm was almost entirely numb several years ago which gradually improved...very odd indeed. i've never had any nerve conduction studies but do know that i have autonomic neuropathy, which is considered a type of peripheral neuropathy. honestly i've never raised the numb feet issue too much with my docs b/c there is always so much else going on at the time. for me it tends to be worse in the morning or after sitting still so i've always chalked it up to a circulation issue, but who knows.

sounds like if this is new for you it's a good idea to be getting it checked out. let us know how it goes & good luck!

:-)melissa

[Madwife]

Thanks for the advice guys...not sure i'm particularly looking forward to it now but like everyone else probably i'm used to being poked and prodded and treated like a guinea pig!! Will keep ya's posted!

[MightyMouse]

I have had several nerve conduction studies--yes, they can be pretty painful. The basically stick a needle in your muscles/nerves and run a current through it. Ow.

My loss of sensation are related to my spinal problems--I have permanent damage. I also have more transient parathesias bilaterally in my arms and hands. My sleeping position definitely plays a role. When I get really bad, I go back to wearing my neck brace (hard brace, not soft foam) to keep my neck in good position while sleeping.

Nina

[joyrose]

The autonomic nerves are some of the tiny peripheral nerves. When they any nerves are in bad shape they can be numb or tingly or painful. My feet and legs have areas of numbness, yet some days I have such pain that is like a sunburn. I have a peripheral neuropathy.

If you are tripping on your own feet, it's probably more than just the skin being numb, but that certainly must contribute. Are you having trouble with balance, or sensing where your body parts are? I know, this is upsetting.

It might be a good idea to take your blood pressure with an automatic cuff and write it down in a notebook. that way you'll know whether it is the POTS that's causing your falls or else it's a combination of other things. You are the best detective. That way you can collect the clues and give them to the doctor and you work together. Sorry you feel so yucky. -Deb

[Madwife]

Hi Deb! Yes I am having both trouble with balance and feeling my lower limbs. The sensation has gradually travelled up my legs over the past couple of months so now I have no feeling from the calves downwards. On both feet I can only move my big and second toe when trying to curl toes. I am unable to keep shoes on my feet unless they are flat soled lace-ups.

This has really been playing on my mind since seeing my consultant yesterday as he also mentioned the possibility of Multiple Sclerosis...this scares the **** out of me as I have fought so hard throughout my illness in order to regain my independence and continue my work as a midwife, and to me M.S. would lead me to think I would eventually lose both.

Does anyone have M.S. aswell as POTS/NCS/CFS e.t.c???

[steph37822]

oops