Seeking opinion regarding cause of peripheral neuropathy

[nemotin]

Last October, I began having neurological problems seemingly "out of the blue". My symptoms began with paresthesia in my right pinky and ring fingers that then also spread to the same two fingers on my left hand three days later. The sensations were intermittent and not severe at the time. A week after my initial symptoms I began experiencing sharp pains in my forearms (much like cramping) and shooting pains that ascended my right arm into the shoulder. Also, I was experience severe fatigue.  At that point, I went to my GP and was referred to a neurologist. I was able to get into the neurologist three weeks after my symptoms began. At the time of the first visit, I also was having intermittent paresthesia in my legs and feet below the knees. In the next week, I had MRIs (with contrast) of my head and neck, EMG, and a full blood work-up including tests for Lyme Disease, HIV, Lupus, etc...which were all negative except the EMG confirmed both sensory and motor neuropathy in all four limbs and MRIs showed sinusitis. Blood tests showed that the only slightly elevated values were blood glucose levels (102 mg/dL) and HbA1C (6.1) followed by arsenic at 56 ug/L. This was followed up with a 3 hr glucose test which was normal.

I was diagnosed with prediabetic neuropathy with a recommendation to control by blood sugar and exercise more (I has already running 4-5x a week before this all began). Also, I began taking multivitamins and flaxseed oil. I'm 30 years old, Caucasian, male, 6' 1" and weighed 235 lbs at the time (now I'm at 225 lbs) and have never had any major health problems including allergies until this occurred. After the diagnosis I began having fasciculations in my calves, feet, hands, face, neck and back intermittently. Additionally, I had intermittent bouts of vestibular problems (feeling off-balance), blurred vision primarily in my left eye, headaches, and extreme tension in my forehead and temple region where it felt like someone was pulling my skin from behind my ears.  This continued throughout November and most of December before I started improving slowly. By March, my symptoms were all but gone except for chronic sinusitis.

Two weeks ago, I've had a relapse, albeit not nearly as severe as before. I have intermittent pain (cramping or dull pain) in my calves, feet, and forearms but really annoying paresthesia in across my face and head spanning several cranial nerves.  I also have had some vestibular issues. Again these aren't as severe as before but are extremely annoying.

From all the research and reading I have done, my symptoms do not fit prediabetic neuropathy at all. I've come up with a couple of possibilities and would like anyone's opinion before I meet up with neurologist again in August. I've always been a bit of drinker averaging about 8 beers (never hard alcohol) usually once a week in a social setting since I was 20.  I never drank at home. I've noticed that when I would even have a couple of beers, my symptoms would become noticeably worse when present but 2-3 days after drinking.  Obviously, alcohol is toxic so I keep my alcohol consumption minimal (I haven't been drunk since November). Opinions that I could have alcoholic neuropathy? Second, I had my first two fillings (amalgam) put in in September three weeks before my initial symptoms began. Opinions on chemical posioning (mercury?). At the same time, I had a pretty nasty upper respiratory infection. Could this all be some weird post-viral syndrome?

I'm not looking for a diagnosis but some opinions and ideas that I can bring up with my doctors. Something obviously has happened to be last fall and I'm trying to figure out what that might be.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[Contessa765]

Do you take vitamins? If so have your B6 level checked.

Best wishes,
Contessa

[nemotin]

Thanks for the reply. My symptoms are consistent with alcoholic neuropathy but I'm not sure if my drinking history really is. Perhaps I do not metabolize alcohol properly like I used to?

[drrajgopal18]

Hi,
The symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy are – Numbness , Abnormal sensations -; "pins and needles" ,Painful sensations ,Muscle weakness ,Muscle cramps or muscle aches ,Heat intolerance, especially after exercise ,Impotence (in men) ,Difficulty urinating ,Incontinence (leaking urine) ,Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying ,Difficulty beginning to urinate ,Constipation ,Diarrhea ,Nausea, vomiting ,Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease: Swallowing difficulty ,Speech impairment ,Loss of muscle function or feeling ,Muscle contractions or spasm ,Muscle atrophy ,Movement, dysfunctional . Results of a neurological exam may be abnormal. The person may have reduced reflexes signs of local nerve problems. Neurological problems usually affect both sides of the body.An eye exam may show decreased pupil response or other problem. Blood pressure may fall when the person rises to a standing position.Alcoholism is a risk factor for nutritional deficiency. Nutritional studies may show deficiencies of thiamine (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), pantothenic acid and biotin, vitamin B12, folic acid, niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin A, or other deficiencies. Most of your symptoms relate to the disorder . Please discuss these possibilities with your doctor .  Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !