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Peripheral Neuropathy??
I didn't really know what "topic" to list this under. My neurologist did an EMG test which showed that I have peripheral neuropathy, but he only did my legs. I have been having pain in my upper shoulders and neck with a burning sensation. I did tell him that prior to my appt. Due to a positive ANA test, he sent me to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist has run blood work for all kinds of muscle and autoiummune disorders, which isn't back yet and he is sending me for a full body bone scan. So, my neurologist is waiting on all those results as well. Basically, I am in a holding pattern.
My questions are these: Should he have tested my upper back, shoulders and neck? or could that be unrelated to the PD?
and can PD affect my colon? I have had intestinal issues for several years, had a foot of my intestine taken out due to it was basically shut down at one spot, strangled. But I am still having issues so was wondering if I should mention the PD to my gastro doctor?
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!
My questions are these: Should he have tested my upper back, shoulders and neck? or could that be unrelated to the PD?
and can PD affect my colon? I have had intestinal issues for several years, had a foot of my intestine taken out due to it was basically shut down at one spot, strangled. But I am still having issues so was wondering if I should mention the PD to my gastro doctor?
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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 your doctor.
Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I cannot comment on a formal diagnosis or treatment plan for your symptoms. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding this matter.
It sounds as though you were diagnosed with a large fiber neuropathy. There are several categories of this type of neuropathy, and there are many many causes. Sensory neuropathies can involve just one nerve or several nerves in the body. The symptoms are sensory loss and if motor nerves are involved ,weakness. Some types of sensory neuropathies occur and progress very slowly, others sort of wax and wane (with flare-ups) and some are progressive. One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes, and sometimes only glucose intolerances, or abnormal rises in blood sugar after a glucose load can be the only indication (this is called a oral glucose tolerance test. Other causes include but are not limited to hereditary/genetic causes (such as in a disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth, in which there is a family history of sensory neuropathy usually from an early age associated with other clinical features such as high-arched feet), autoimmune problems (such as lupus (SLE), Sjogren's, Churg-Strauss (in which asthma also occurs), polyarteritis nodosa, which affects blood vessels), and demyelinating diseases (such as CIDP). Vitamin B12 and B6 deficiency, as well as excess vitamin B6, can also cause neuropathy. Some toxins, such as lead, arsenic, and thalium can cause large fiber sensory neuropathy. Other causes include abnormalities of protein metabolism, as in a type called amyloidosis or monoclonal proteinemia. In many neuropathies, both the sensory and motor nerves (the nerves that supply the muscles) are involved, leading to sensory symptoms as well as weakness.
The diagnosis of large fiber neuropathy is made by findings on a test called EMG/NCS which assess how well the nerve conduct electricity and how well muscles respond. Rarely, in some cases a lumbar puncture provides useful in formation, and very rarely a nerve biopsy is required. In your case, checking the lower extremities by EMG was likely enough for your diagnosis. Given the fact that you did have part of your colon taken out, I would make sure that your vitamins that are absorbed by your colon are at adequate levels. These would include Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Copper, Zinc, Vitamin B6. Although it seems as though your doctors are working up an autoimmune etiology as the cause of your neuropathy.
I hope this information was helpful. Best of luck.
Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I cannot comment on a formal diagnosis or treatment plan for your symptoms. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding this matter.
It sounds as though you were diagnosed with a large fiber neuropathy. There are several categories of this type of neuropathy, and there are many many causes. Sensory neuropathies can involve just one nerve or several nerves in the body. The symptoms are sensory loss and if motor nerves are involved ,weakness. Some types of sensory neuropathies occur and progress very slowly, others sort of wax and wane (with flare-ups) and some are progressive. One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes, and sometimes only glucose intolerances, or abnormal rises in blood sugar after a glucose load can be the only indication (this is called a oral glucose tolerance test. Other causes include but are not limited to hereditary/genetic causes (such as in a disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth, in which there is a family history of sensory neuropathy usually from an early age associated with other clinical features such as high-arched feet), autoimmune problems (such as lupus (SLE), Sjogren's, Churg-Strauss (in which asthma also occurs), polyarteritis nodosa, which affects blood vessels), and demyelinating diseases (such as CIDP). Vitamin B12 and B6 deficiency, as well as excess vitamin B6, can also cause neuropathy. Some toxins, such as lead, arsenic, and thalium can cause large fiber sensory neuropathy. Other causes include abnormalities of protein metabolism, as in a type called amyloidosis or monoclonal proteinemia. In many neuropathies, both the sensory and motor nerves (the nerves that supply the muscles) are involved, leading to sensory symptoms as well as weakness.
The diagnosis of large fiber neuropathy is made by findings on a test called EMG/NCS which assess how well the nerve conduct electricity and how well muscles respond. Rarely, in some cases a lumbar puncture provides useful in formation, and very rarely a nerve biopsy is required. In your case, checking the lower extremities by EMG was likely enough for your diagnosis. Given the fact that you did have part of your colon taken out, I would make sure that your vitamins that are absorbed by your colon are at adequate levels. These would include Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Copper, Zinc, Vitamin B6. Although it seems as though your doctors are working up an autoimmune etiology as the cause of your neuropathy.
I hope this information was helpful. Best of luck.
Thank you so much, this information was incredibly helpful. I am printing it out to take to my rheumatologist and my neurologist. Thank you!!!
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