Is this a symptom of Neuropathy?

[Angie9798]

Quick question for anyone out there with peripheral neuropathy...I have pn and no known reason for it....well I am still testing.  However the typical reasons have been ruled out...

Anyhow, a strange that that I always feel is when I go to lay down for bed my legs don't want to be straight.  They feel like they need to be bent a little and not too close to each other.  Maybe like its a muscle thing.  My muscles are tight feeling.  Is this normal with pn?

Also, the "discomfort" or "pain" that I experience is worse at night and first thing in the morning....?  And my feet always feel like they are cold or like I am standing on ice.  I wear socks all the time now, it's a mind over matter type thing.  Anyone else feel that way?

One last thing...my arms and legs fall asleep ALL THE TIME.  I can put my arm up to hold the phone to my ear and boom...it's asleep...?

I know most of my other symptoms are pretty typical for pn, but just these couple of weird ones.  Please let me know what you think or if you experience anything like it.

Angie

[COBOB]

PN rarely effects upper and lower extremities concurrently.  It typically effects one side more than the other and starts in the feet.  When something effects Left and Right, Upper and lower at the same time, look for a central cause.  CNS is the brain and spinal cord.  The other issues in that you have sensory issues, but is sounds like there might be clonus or spasm issues in your legs.  That is considered a motor deficit.  So now there is sensory and motor issues in 4 extremities.  I'd look for a good neurologist.  I think they would want to start with a good neuro exam, then maybe an EMG, MRI of the brain and C-Spine.  In order for something to effect arms your talking about something going on above C7-T1.  Since you mentioned the movement of the phone to your ear, that really sounds like a possible issue in your neck and cervical spine.  There really isn't enough info to say more than that.

Bob

[MMahon]

From what I understand with pn, because of nerve damage usually worse in the extremeties the muscles start to shrink because they lack the stimulation of the nerve.  For me this causes a good deal of pain and discomfort and certainly can be the reason you have the 'muscle tightness' you describe.
I know that 'cold feeling' all too well.  Again it's the lack of nerve stimulation wherever it's needed. (muscle, blood flow,etc)  I feel like I'm standing in a bucket filled with ice-water all the way up to my hips.  That numbness however becomes a good thing because without it the pain is more severe.
I too get that 'falling asleep' thing too but usually only in my arms when I'm holding them up when using the phone.  I find I have to keep my arms down to avoid this symptom.
What I have took a while to diagnose too.  It's CIDP.  it's pretty rare but worth checking out if your interested.  See the link below,
http://www.gbs-cidp.org/aboutcidp.htm

Let me know how you make out.