Dying back of nerve

[honky]

Could you please answer a few questions for me?  What do neurologists mean when they refer to the dying back of the nerve and assuming peripheral neuropathy is "idiopathic" where does the nerve stop "dying back".  I have posted here before and apologize for taking up your time.  I am looking into the possibility of coming to your clinic for further investigation (I live in the UK) but have had extensive tests here.  I really am desperate as this neuropathy is ruling my life and I am relatively young and have a family to look after and think of.  Can the nerves from peripheral neuropathy heal themselves and have you ever seen this happen?  Also why do I have such extreme problems with burning symptoms in hot weather?  Thank you so much for your time.

[plv]

friends .........msg and aspartame will kill your nerves just like toxins and metals and they are both toxins and excitogens....see if avoiding them as much as possible helps

[Empreinte]

Hi There ~ I'm pretty new to this site and didn't realize that this section is related to the Cleveland Clinic.  Do you know if this entire site is devoted to the Cleveland Clinic?  I am reading that you live in the UK - so does my Sister and her family - a place called Lancashire - if I spelled that right.
What exactly do you have going on with you physically - if you don't mind me asking?  This Peripheral Neuropathy is what I have been diagnosed with along with several other issues.  One terrible major one (and all illness' are awful) is Crohn's Disease.  Also, severe Osteoporosis which to the point the I'm fracturing and terribly so in my rib cage bones and they don't know why.  I'm also steroid dependent and just can't get off those damn little white pills that have brought me tons of nothing but grief. I was under the impression that PN was only Diabetic related and now I'm reading that anyone can get this?
I hope someone has an answer to that and how do you get this treated.  I am in constant pain and my pain meds are no longer helping me one bit.  Last year, I was all over the place doing this and that and having a great life and now I can barely walk.
I'm loaded up with severe abdominal, rectal and spinal pain, as well.  I ask myself - What the hell happened?  From one minute to the next it seems.  I am so sorry for what you are enduring.
Trust me, I do know pain.  I have a very high tolerance to pain but not with what I am going through now.  I have actually prayed to God to just please let me go. I have had enough.  I understand that God counts everyone's tears - Oh,my.  The amount that He must have of mine! But kidding aside, nothing that I am going through is a joke.  It has been agony and is getting worse.
My local Doctor's have given up trying to figure out what to do so I went out of town to a big name Clinic and got the same treatment there.  No help. The diagnosis doesn't fit the problems and the compassion was very, very limited from those Doctor's.  I've thought of trying the Cleveland Clinic but I'm not sure yet on what they could do for me except put me through all those gross G.I. testing again and so forth. I really need compentent help and not high and mighty attitudes from Doctor's. Especially with this horrific abdominal, rectal, and spinal pain.  It's completey out of this world and these Doc's here will not help me out with anything strong for pain. Very cruel.  What made you consider the Cleveland Clinic?  Do you know anyone who has been and recommended this place to you?  I hope you E me back - please
write me direct at A G D L 20 @ AOL.COM  I spaced it out so it's easier to read.
Talk soon and God Bless~
Empreinte
Ps - Is your name Pauline?  I'll tell you mine if we can E back and forth to each other..............hope so, anyway :)

[honky]

Hi, just to say a huge thanks for the support.  Sometimes you feel so alone and scared.  Its great that the net allows us to feel that we are not alone in this - even though I am half way round the world to where most of these posts are from!  I agree, we must hang in there and one of us will hopefully get an answer.  Let me know if you get anywhere and I'll do the same.  Love Pauline

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Dying back of the nerve can occur in a variety of situations

In of certain types of peripheral neuropathy, nerves which are smallest and farthest away from their nutrient source (nutrients obtained down the length of the nerve from the nerve cell body in teh spinal cord) or supplies by tiny arteries/veins, start to 'die' or degenerate first in disorders where the supply of nutrients is blocked or the tiny nerve endings which are more fragile are compromised. This is a common mechanism in many types of peripheral neuropathy - this is why it begins in the feet and legs and does not affect the hands until the same length is reached in the legs. There may be many different causes though - diabetes, toxins, heavy metals, drugs etc.

If the nerve cell body itself is damaged, the nerve that comes out of it can also degenerate from the end up - this is call Wallerian degeneration, antoher type of 'dying back'.

The prognosis depends on the underlying cause, although this is not found in 30% of cases, which are arbitrarily termed 'idiopathic' or 'we don't know'. If the cause is stopped or reversed, a certain degree of recovery may occur, but if damage is sustained over the long term, the effect may be permament.

Nerves, especially those that have lost their myelin insulation, are sensitive to hot weather in that the signals that pass along them become slower - so some people with, for example Multiple sclerosis, may be able to get into a hot bath but not out of it

Good luck

[Beebarbiedoll]

Dear Honky,

I have ready alot of your notes and have alot of the same symptoms.  I had a brain MRI yesterday and am waiting for the results.  I to feel terrible as I have nerve pain all over my body, evenly, on both side. DO NOT apologize for asking the same questions, as you have a right to be worried or scared.  I think most of us on this website all feel the same way. We don't have anyone else to ask about this stuff, other than the doctors. Hang in there.  Hopefully, we will make out okay.