Poll The ME/CFS and FM Peripheral Neuropathy Poll

[Cort]

Do you have signs or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy? We generally think of peripheral neuropathy causing numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and feet but it can cause many more symptoms depending on which nerves it affects. According to the Mayo Clinic they include

• Gradual onset of numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, which may spread upward into your legs and arms
• Sharp, jabbing or burning pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Lack of coordination and falling
• Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected

As well as

• Heat intolerance and altered sweating
• Bowel, bladder or digestive problems
• Changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness or lightheadedness

Choose all the answers that fit you.

 

[Who Me?]

My feet started in 2011. Just occasionally. Then it would creep up my ankles like there was a band wrapped around them.

My feet are so cold it's painful sometimes. Unless I'm standing I have a hearing pad on. Not fun when it's 80° outside.

Why no ME? That's what I have.

 

[San Diego]

I'm unable to vote. I get this error message:

Mysqli prepare error: Table './cortjohn_xenhrbu/xf_poll_vote' is marked as crashed and should be repaired

 

[Karmin]

I get error message too

 

[Cort]

I get error message too

Thanks. I'll get Stavya on it.

 

[Stavya]

@sdsu, @Karmin:

I've fixed the issue. The vote should be working fine now.

 

[Folk]

If my eletroneuromiography is ok then I don't have it?

 

[melamine]

If my eletroneuromiography is ok then I don't have it?

Folk, it you have neuropathic symptoms and EMGs are negative, it means you have EMG-negative neuropathy (and that you do not need a psychiatrist for an imaginary obsession). It is most likely an "immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy."

There are very few sub-specialists in this field and most neurologists do not understand it enough to recognize symptoms of it. My experience and impression from reviewing specialists is that pain is the only thing treated and therefore generally acknowledged. If ones neuropathy encompasses degenerative changes without pain, offers of treatment will not necessarily follow even if one is able to get a diagnosis. It is something to consider when deciding if the diagnosis by itself is important.

 

[Bob Dennis]

Do you have signs or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy? We generally think of peripheral neuropathy causing numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and feet but it can cause many more symptoms depending on which nerves it affects. According to the Mayo Clinic they include

• Gradual onset of numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, which may spread upward into your legs and arms
• Sharp, jabbing or burning pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Lack of coordination and falling
• Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected

As well as

• Heat intolerance and altered sweating
• Bowel, bladder or digestive problems
• Changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness or lightheadedness

Choose all the answers that fit you.

I was originally diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2006 (idiopathic), but since hospitalised for acute uvilitus, I presented with more global autonomic symptoms. This has impacted greatly on my feet, particularly my left foot, which I cannot maintain warm, and has reduced my walking distance to a maximum of 1 kilometre, but only when I am not experiencing a fatigue event. I have ongoing headaches along with sensitive teeth, but it is my feet that are the most troubling. I was also diagnosed with osteoporosis, and I understand that there is a link with this condition. The only treatment is paracetamol and ibuprofen, alongside amitryptiline.

 

[Cort]

If my eletroneuromiography is ok then I don't have it?

Electromyography and Nerve-conduction Studies

Electromyography and nerve-conduction studies are well-established neurophysiologic techniques used to assess the integrity of larger myelinated sensory and motor fibers. These studies often are normal in pure small fiber neuropathies. If there is question of possible larger fiber involvement causing symptoms or occurring concomitantly with a small fiber neuropathy, these studies can clarify if larger sensory and/or motor nerve fibers are involved.

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086960/

Skin biopsies are often used in SFN but often a physical examination is all that is necessary. A couple of other tests are used as well.

The history and physical examination findings still are considered the gold standard against which all tests are compared when making a diagnosis of a small fiber neuropathy. A detailed review of the symptoms, rate of progression, and complaints suggestive of autonomic fiber involvement is necessary.