Neurapathy! What does that mean? On Neurontin

[meikman]

Finally I have a Dr that listened to me.  Now I am not sure what it means.  He told me that I had neuropathy and order an EMG.  I won't have that done until the 27th and he put me on Neurotin 300mg twice a day.

So my questions are:

1) Does anyone have experience with neuropathy.  What does that mean to have it.

2) What are they looking for with an EMG.  What do they do to you? I was so shocked that the Dr was taking me serious I lost my mind and forgot to ask a lot of questions (plus I had my screaming 14 month old with me)

3) Anyone taking Neurotin?  I have taken my first dose and I am not liking the feeling.  I feel as if I have in la la land.

[cat457]

From what I have heard, neuropathy is caused by deterioration of the peripheral nerves, and disrupts the body’s ability to communicate with its muscles, organs and tissues.  It causes burning, itchiness, crawling sensation, dizziness, etc.   I believe that if it is caught early it can be controlled.  Do you have diabetes?  Many diabetics get this.

[meikman]

Thanks for your reply.  What I have found about Neuropathy is such a wide range just wasn't sure exactly what it is.  All the symptoms that you listed is what I have been having.

No I am not diabetic.  During my last pregnancy when I took the sugar test it came back a little high and before they let me know and schedule the 5 hour test I was already in the hospital and the treated me as if I was diabetic.  I was there for two weeks and in that time my sugar level didn't go over 119 and the tested me about every 4 hours.  My Dr is having blood work on me to make sure that I am not diabetic now though.

[cat457]

Hi, Meilkman!
Sorry about your symp's.  Perhaps you had gestation diabetes? Some women get this during pregnany and then their blood sugar gets back to normal after pregnancy.  What is your diet like?
You may want to search on some sites for alternatives to help you. Hope you feel better. Best of health to you.

[kitlyn]

Yes i take Neurontin , but this was given to me yrs ago, after a head injury, got car jacked and hit in head w steel pipe. It helps soem, w my symptoms i have unrelated to past  issues. I take 300 mg three times daily. I hope you feel better,

[meikman]

I am on my second dose of the Neurontin and I was amazed when I took my daughter to preschool.  I was half way back to my car when I realized that my back and my upper legs weren't killing me but I was so weak in the lower part of my legs from just above my knees down.  Later on this evening I was back to the old pattern of pain. Is this just part of taking the Neurontin until I get use to it?     I am only taking 300mg once a day then after 7 days I am to increase it to twice a day.  

I am really starting to worry about what it is that my Dr is trying to find.  He said that I had a neuropath and schedule and EMG for the next day.  The Neurologist had to cancel and I was reschedule for the 27th.  Could I have MS?  I am majorly fatigue, I am having burning in my legs, terrible back pain, I have a horrible time walking and only can walk a very short distance without leaning on something.  If I continue to walk I get very shaky, like I am wobbly and I feel as if I am going to fall.  The balls and toes of my feet tingle constantly.  I know no one can give me a Dx here I guess I am looking for some insight.  The Dr didn't say much to me and I was actually in shock when he took me seriously.  All the others Dr blamed my weight on all my complaints.

Also does anyone know what it means when the Dr pushes on your calf and tells you to push against him.  He kept saying push, push and I was and it seemed as if the muscle in my calfs were shaking.  I know this may be a stupid question but is that normal?

[cat457]

Hi Meilkman,
I recall a neurologist did a resistance test where I had to push my arm and leg toward him--he was looking for clinical muscle weakness.
I passed the test.  Did you ask the doc what he was looking for?

[meikman]

No I didn't.  I always look back on situtation like this and say boy I wish I would have.  I did have my youngest 2 with me and the baby wasn't too happy which distracted me.

I know that i'll get some answer sooner or latter its just the waiting and reading too much information.

[marRachel]

Please check out toxicicity of quinolone drugs you may have taken. Symptoms like your can come months later.  (antibiotics)

[papabear69]

i do have diabetes. my name is ralph ulibarri, and i have been experiencing pain. from my feet to my shoulder. somedays it is bearable other i feel as though i am losing control of my life. the pain varies from burning to pin pricking sensation. then there are days i feel as if i have been hit by a car. i dont know what to do.

[RickyO321]

Nerves are the communication lines of the body.  Electrical signals from the brain travel through the nerves and give instructions to the various body parts.   The body receives information from the environment through the senses and sends this Information to the brain via the nerves.

Neuropathy is nerve damage which is a breakdown of the myelin sheath around the nerves.   Without this protection the electrical signals are not transferred properly just like if you stripped the covering off the electrical wires in you house.

As the nerve damage gets worse, the nerves either lose their ability to transmit information (numbness) or they start sending false signals (Pain or tingling).

There are many ways a person gets neuropathy because many things can cause the nerve damage.  I found a list of the various reasons at http://www.mcvitamins.com/neuropathy-risk-factors-nerve-pain.htm

The drugs cover up the pain, but fixing the nerve damage is what will fix the problem. It is becoming more known that certain special forms of B vitamins have a lot to do with repairing nerve damage.