Is it peripheral neuropathy?

[slangley77]

Hi. Thank you for the time for helping me out here. For the past 10 years, I have had lower back pain as a dull ache when standing, sitting or sleeping. I also get sharp pain right at the top of my neck but I did not have an MRI done of the cervical spine.The pain started getting worse this year and going down my leg. I had an MRI and It showed mild bulging disc on S1, Moderate on L5 (if that is the one above S1) and Mild on L4. My doc has been prescribing percocet for the pain and now Celebrex but nothing makes the pain go away. It does help me to be able to sleep at night.

About three or four months ago, my feet started hurting every morning making it almost impossible to get out of bed. There is no tingling or burning sensation. It is just stiff and it hurts. In the past couple of weeks this same pain has progressed to my fingers, then elbows and now knees. I am on ST disability right now because about a month ago, I started having daily panic attackes, confusion, forgetfulness and inability to do my job as I can not analyze data.

The pain is at its worst in the morning. Once I take two percocet, I am able to get out of bed and walk and can get through the day while taking percocet throughout the day because the pain continues when I am active but the stiffness isn't as bad when I am active. Walking is becoming hard to do because of the pain and when my breathing gets heavy, my upper back stings between my shoulder blades.  My great great grand mother, and my mom all have had or have peripheral neuropathy but it is due to diabeties. I am not diabetic.  I do not get the tingling feeling or the burning sensation. It simply hurts and is stiff. I am also having urinary retention. Does this sound like peripheral neuropathy or do you have any other suggestions as to what it may be?Thank you so much for your time!

Stacie

[slangley77]

Thank you so much for the information and taking the time to read my post. I will read up on the information you have given me. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you! I have an appointment with a neurologist on the 25th. I am sure he will run all the tests needed.

Stacie

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Based on the information you provided, you may have a radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is the result of nerve compression as the nerves exit from the spinal canal/vertebrate. The compression could be due to arthritis of the spine or due to a herniated disc or other lesions. The symptoms include pain at the level of the problem (i.e. neck or back etc) and pain that may radiate down the arm or leg (depending on where the problem is). In more advanced cases, muscle weakness or sensory symptoms such as tingling or numbness may occur. A radiculopathy is often diagnosed based on history, physical examination, and MRI of the spine.

However, anxiety/depression can cause whole body aches. Another condition, called fibromyalgia, can cause whole body aches.

I would suggest you follow up with your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms and further workup.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.