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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Peripheral Neuropathy and Work-Related Issues
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Peripheral Neuropathy and Work-Related Issues
by Leghurts, Mar 06, 2006 12:00AM
Diagnosed with sensory-motor, axonal, distal peripheral neuropathy. Asymmetric with most of damage in lower left leg and foot. Idiopathic after routine tests. Fourteen months now. Numbness, some burning, and pins and needles. Pain lessened since onset but tightness and pressure seem to be getting worse. Slight calf atrophy (tibial nerve CMAP severely reduced). No meds. Second NCS showed basically no change with NCs, CMAPs, SNAPs, etc. And second EMG showed mostly reduced recruitment of muscles tested in foot, calf, and front leg.
Have a part-time job which requires me to sit at a computer three days a week for five hours each day with one 15-minute break and then sit at a computer one day a week for seven hours with 15-, 30-, and 15-minute breaks.
Can all this sitting add to my neuropathy problem? Have a very well-padded chair and move my legs frequently. Often press my legs (one at time) straight out against the wall immediately behind my desk and hold for a few minutes. Point my toes on the floor and hold up my feet this way for a few minutes each time. Just do a lot of little things except standing up which is not allowed.
Should I be concerned that all of this sitting could actually aggravate my neuropathy? Which type of job would be the best? The sitting job I have now or a standing-on-feet (but moving-around) job for five hours a day, five days a week? Or should I avoid both types of jobs? The extra money helps pay for doctor bills. :>)
Have a part-time job which requires me to sit at a computer three days a week for five hours each day with one 15-minute break and then sit at a computer one day a week for seven hours with 15-, 30-, and 15-minute breaks.
Can all this sitting add to my neuropathy problem? Have a very well-padded chair and move my legs frequently. Often press my legs (one at time) straight out against the wall immediately behind my desk and hold for a few minutes. Point my toes on the floor and hold up my feet this way for a few minutes each time. Just do a lot of little things except standing up which is not allowed.
Should I be concerned that all of this sitting could actually aggravate my neuropathy? Which type of job would be the best? The sitting job I have now or a standing-on-feet (but moving-around) job for five hours a day, five days a week? Or should I avoid both types of jobs? The extra money helps pay for doctor bills. :>)
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Mar 09, 2006 12:00AM
Sitting, on its own, should not worsen a neuropathy, unless there is compression of a nerve while sitting - for example leaning on your elbow and the ulnar nerve in the arm, or leaning your lateral knee against something and the superficial peroneal nerve. With the right seating you probably need not worry. You should however try to maintain an active exercise program outside of work to keep your muscles, joint and ligaments in shape
Good luck
Good luck
Member Comments (3)
by 77 Star 77, Jul 08, 2006 12:00AM
Hello, I am a 20 yr Chigo Police Officer, I have been placed on ordinary disibility for the past two and 1/2 yrs. and still have 2 more to go if I choose. This is my dilemna. I was denied 75% Duty Disibility when I applied. Brief summary: I have several occupational documented injuries on duty that involved the same side (right )as my pain complaint which would be tingling to the right hand involving the second and third fingers, and the fifth finger does not adduct now due to a fracture from a fall when chasing a man with a gun. I also lost eyesight to the right eye temporarily when I struck my right temple, and the already painful rt. hip from a previous tussle from an arrestee, was aggravated more. Rt knee was lacerated and rt shoulder was re-injured again (rt shoulder reconstruction from another work incident). My case was denied because a secondary doctor who examined my hand and heard my complaint reported that he could not relate my disibilty to my work? I suddenly developed tingling, numbness, coldness in hand and fingers, pain burning up to my elbow, and dropped heavy objects, and could not close (and still) my hand to make a fist.I was placed on work disibilty by a city doctor first because he felt that somehow it was all related. Then I was sent to a pension board doctor who also agreed that my symptoms were all correlated to my job but the second opinion doctor who never knew me from the start stated he could not conclude that it was all caused by work duties. I have been surviving off of 50% of my pay, I am raising 4 kids, and my police union doctor lost my administrative appeal, and I hired a second lawyer to go circuit clourt and he lost (did not give me appeal time restriction)so I was not able to appeal again. I must see the pension doctor for the city again, and wish to convince him that he can possibly re-apply me for an administrative appeal again. But I want to supply him with the best armor possible to side with me on this. Please help me with any suggestions. I have also been on 2 depression meds for the past year and a half and sometimes think I am better off dead. The pain is sometimes excruciating when it throbs and shoots up but I manage to curb with Ibubrophens 600 mg 2 x a day. Please let me know what if anything can I possibly do? Very appreciative, Maria
by 77 Star 77, Jul 08, 2006 12:00AM
Hello, I am a 20 yr Chigo Police Officer, I have been placed on ordinary disibility for the past two and 1/2 yrs. and still have 2 more to go if I choose. This is my dilemna. I was denied 75% Duty Disibility when I applied. Brief summary: I have several occupational documented injuries on duty that involved the same side (right )as my pain complaint which would be tingling to the right hand involving the second and third fingers, and the fifth finger does not adduct now due to a fracture from a fall when chasing a man with a gun. I also lost eyesight to the right eye temporarily when I struck my right temple, and the already painful rt. hip from a previous tussle from an arrestee, was aggravated more. Rt knee was lacerated and rt shoulder was re-injured again (rt shoulder reconstruction from another work incident). My case was denied because a secondary doctor who examined my hand and heard my complaint reported that he could not relate my disibilty to my work? I suddenly developed tingling, numbness, coldness in hand and fingers, pain burning up to my elbow, and dropped heavy objects, and could not close (and still) my hand to make a fist.I was placed on work disibilty by a city doctor first because he felt that somehow it was all related. Then I was sent to a pension board doctor who also agreed that my symptoms were all correlated to my job but the second opinion doctor who never knew me from the start stated he could not conclude that it was all caused by work duties. I have been surviving off of 50% of my pay, I am raising 4 kids, and my police union doctor lost my administrative appeal, and I hired a second lawyer to go circuit clourt and he lost (did not give me appeal time restriction)so I was not able to appeal again. I must see the pension doctor for the city again, and wish to convince him that he can possibly re-apply me for an administrative appeal again. But I want to supply him with the best armor possible to side with me on this. Please help me with any suggestions. I have also been on 2 depression meds for the past year and a half and sometimes think I am better off dead. The pain is sometimes excruciating when it throbs and shoots up but I manage to curb with Ibubrophens 600 mg 2 x a day. Please let me know what if anything can I possibly do? Very appreciative, Maria