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ideopathic mild sensory neuropathy
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MedHelp Member's Question

ideopathic mild sensory neuropathy

by spenjo, Nov 14, 2005 12:00AM
I have sensory neuropathy for about 9 months. Started as a buzzing feeling in my calves and became a mild burning to an overly sensitive skin feeling spreading to include my upper arms, upper back and right jaw area. Since its peak in August it is gone in jaw, forearms, upper back. I am now left with abnormal sensation and overly sensitive with occasional mild burning feeling, bilaterally in my outer calves between the ankle and knee and in small area above my right knee along with mild occasional tight feeling in upper arms with certain movements. What I am left with seems to be improving but very slowly. Sometime it seems to be almost gone and other times it flares up somewhat. Normal MRI brain, normal neuro exam with no loss of reflexes and normal labs. Have not been tested for paraneoplastic syndrome as doctor feels since I feel very well otherwise, am very active and I have no disability or reflex or strength loss, I am 42 year old lifetime nonsmoker nondrinker this would be unlikely. I know that small fiber neuropathy can be related to diabetes and I have a family history.  Fasting glucose in Sept was 88. Dodtor thinks post viral problem, an  ideopathic problem or perhaps the healing phase of the sensory variant of Guillain Barre as this did begin a few weeks after a virus last spring.

Could this be related to pre-diabetes despite fasting glucose level? Should I insist on paraneoplastic syndrome test?

If post viral, ideopathic or GB, how long does it take to heal?  What would I feel during healing?

Appreciate your thoughts, suggestions.  



Thanks, great forum.
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Nov 21, 2005 12:00AM
Your doctor seems to be thinking of the right things!



Paraneoplastic neuropathy is very rare, although can present before symptoms from a tumor. Clinical vigilance is probably more prodcutive than a fishing expedition using expensive blood tests.



Pre-diabetes can casue neuropathy, a fact that is more recently been recognised, and is diagnosed by an epidermal skin biopsy to look at nerve fiber densities. This can be done at some neuromuscular centers such as the Cleveland Clinic.



Due to presumed nerve damage, there may be residual symptoms for up to one year to 18 months or longer



Good luck
Member Comments (11)

by RunningL8, Nov 14, 2005 12:00AM
I've had post-viral small-fiber neuropathy for 9 years.  Another woman and I were just discussing small-fiber neuropathy below, so you might want to read the comments under "MRI scan abnormal" on 11/9 below for some suggestions on how to manage the condition.  As I read your description of the symptoms, though, I'm wondering if you actually have the right diagnosis.  My understanding is that neuropathy would likely affect the feet/lower legs and/or hands/arms, rather than the areas you describe.  Have you been evaluated by neurologists at a major research center?  Have you had any test results (e.g., sweat test or biopsy) that actually indicate small-fiber neuropathy?

by Pooner, Nov 16, 2005 12:00AM
Hi there, well i'm reading your post's and it sound just likem e writing the post, I also have bad burning "raw" feeling in feet, front of thighs and hands, and it all comes and goes like you explain, This all started in my feet and progressed into my legs, and hands, very weird symtoms..the cold weather seems to really Bother it twice as bad too!! also theres a Numblike feeling in feet, legs and hands! this happened last march 05, and I finally got insurance so I finally got to see a Neurologist recently, since I had an MRI of cervical spine and thoracic spine not lumbar ( don't ask me why?)..and I have a herniated disk in C5 C6 and a bulged disk in C4 C5, and they seem to think it has nothing to do w/ my burning symptoms, I also had a bunch of bloodwork and everything is negative!! recently had an EMG/NCS and all negative, relexes are a buit hyper he said, and everything is normal. I have a follow up in a few weeks and wonder whats next? he said 1/3 of ppl w/ this type thing never get diagnosed~=( I can't believe this is still lingering its going on 9 months for me too!! we have very similar things going on..Know your not alone!!

                         To pain free days!!

                             Lena =)

by johnflox, Nov 16, 2005 12:00AM
To: Spenjo
Did you take any antibiotic for the viral illness or for any other reason the months before it all started? One of the most frequent causes of newly acquired neuropathies is drug toxicity. You should check what medicines have you taken up to one year prior to the onset of your symptoms. There are quite a few that cause very long lasting symptoms (months, years, permanently) identical to the ones you suffer.

by Pooner, Nov 16, 2005 12:00AM
Hi there, ya know now that you say that I wonder if Yasmin caused this?!! Yasmin is a birth control pill I was on 2 yrs prior and the WHOLE time I was on it I was really shaky thinking it was the xanax I have been on also for 2 yrs and 10 months I am only taking 0.25mg b4 bed to help me relax and this is all due to  a SHL in my right ear ( sudden hearing loss) they think it was viral that caused my hearing to go suddenly in my right ear!! but back to the yasmin it has alot of potassium in it and I never got it checked when I was on it!! I wonder if this is the culprit???? How could I look in to it????

                          Thanks so much

                             Lena

by johnflox, Nov 16, 2005 12:00AM
To: Pooner
For Yasmin side effects look at:

Yasmin monograph

Rxlist for yasmin



For comments of other people and their experiences with Yasmin:

www.medications.com



Don't focus only on Yasmin, have a cool look to all the prescription meds you have had, specially if neurological aspects are involved. Thre are many antibiotics and antifungals, relaxers, sleeping pills, as well as statins and many others that cause very long lasting symptoms even years AFTER withdrawing the drug.



In antibiotics check specially if you have taken levaquin, cipro, avelox, etc... (quinolone family).

by joeybubbles, Nov 16, 2005 12:00AM
Hi,

I too have had burning sensation in my upper arms and legs and jaw since June. Last November started with constant ringing in my ears and frequent feelings of motion sickness.  The burning comes and goes, but the other symptoms have never left. I've always gotten frequent cold sores which have gotten worse the past two years.  I wonder if it is that virus or even perhaps the valtrex I take for them.  So far, my tests have all been negative too.  My b12 was a low normal (311) and my cholesterol levels are very low.  I too was wondering about getting checked for paraneoplastic syndrome. My doctor didn't think it was necessary to get checked for lyme disease or heavy metal toxicity. My fasting glucose was 89.  My mri of the brain was ok but I haven't had one of the spine.  I too am in my 40's and have always been really healthy.  It's frustrating.  Guess all we can do is keep plugging alon.

by spoons12, Nov 17, 2005 12:00AM
This all sounds so familar.  In mid July 2005 I was treated by ENT for a nasty upper respiratory infection (probably viral).  I took a 10 day course of 500 mg. levaquin.  A few days after completion of the treatment I was having very bad headaches, vetigo and general dizziness.  



I saw my neurologist in eary Aug. and he did a MRI with/without contrast, EEG, MRA and a general nero exam.  Everything checked out ok.  A few days after the tests (mid August) I began to have tingling and buzzing in my hands and feet, but no numbness. The headaches and dizziness had resloved.  Discussed this with Dr. during my next visit and he didn't seemed concerned, mentioned hyperventilation but did schedule a Nerve conduction test on both arms and one leg. Results were normal.



Now the tingling and prickly feeling can be felt on my back and stomach/chest from time to time as well as my feet and hands.  Everything seems to be overly sensitive.  I really have no other symptoms, I do my workouts at the gym and my strength and stamina appear to be normal.  Symptoms are more pronounced in the afternoon and evenings.



I have a followup with the Neurologist on Nov. 28 and I plan to bring up the levaquin as I have never taken it before, but have taken Cipro without any problems.  It could be conincidence, but a virus, then levaquin followed by these symptoms????  Could levaquin cause a problem when Cipro doesn't?



I did have a terrible reaction to augmentin in 1997 where my liver enzymes went off the chart resulting in jaundice