Neuropathy

[alixjalenmom]

Hello,
I just found this forum while trying to do some more research on my situation and hoping someone may have some helpful information. In May of 2006, I was diagnosed with bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) (currently a Workers' Comp. situation and have had one surgery on left hand, awaiting other surgery for right hand). Soon after, I started having neuropathic pain in arms, up to shoulders--which the doc said would not be from the Carpal Tunnel, and then I started having neuropathic pain in my legs and feet. In August of 2006, I went out on short term disability from work, and am now on long-term disability. Since being diagnosed with the CTS, and Polyneuropathy, I have also had chronic pain in my hips, neck and lower back, and through MRIs and X-rays, etc, I have been diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Joint Disease. I have been seeing a spine specialist and now a ortho surgeon concerning these arthritic issues.

I see a neurologist at Mass General Hospital for the Polyneuropathy--I have had a brain MRI to rule out MS, twice undergone blood tests to rule out all kinds of diseases (Lupus, RA Lyme, Thryroid, Diabetes, etc.) as underlying factor, have had skin biopsy to rule out small fiber neuropathy, a fat pad biopsy to rule out amyloidosis, and I think that is it......this has been ongoing for about 15-18 months, and there has been no findings, all testing has been normal---so I fall into the grouping of Idiopathic Neuropathy

Due to the issues I have with arthritis, has anyone else experienced this combination of health issues and found confirmation of any kind that maybe the degenerative disc disease is the cause of the neuropathic pain? if so, would love immediate reply! Any links to any information would be SO very much appreciated. Thank you!

[nrfarley]

Hi
I hope you come back to read this
I have Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy and a also have bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but i have not had surgery.I also have chronic pain in my lower back, neck and both knees. As far as my back diagnoses, this is what my MRI showed Multilevel Lumbar Disk Desiccation and mild Degeneration of L-4-L-5 and Asymmetric Facet joint overgrowth, results in mild acquired central as well as lateral Recess Stenoses, I have Raidiclulopathy and Ischogluteal Bursitis in the right buttocks. i'm also seeing a Neurologist and i also go to the The Spine Center For Pain Management, I have Arthritis in my neck, shoulders, and knees. To answer your question When my back first started it was Degenerrative disc then Disk Protrusion then disk Desiccation now i have lateral Recess Stenossis, and Radiculopathy Which is a Pinched Nerve. Any of these symptoms can put pressure on your spine nerves wich can cause Neuropathy and the worse it gets the more pain you have. I have had 4 Epidural blocks wich gave me 50% help with the pinched nerve. I also had a Facet joint injection wich did nothing for me. The Pain Management Dr. has put me on 75mg of Lyrica, and Baclofen for calf cramps and Oxycodone for severe pain. If i were you just go on a web site and look up (Back Pain and Neuropathy) I have read on many web sites that preassure on your back nerves can cause Neuropathyand if you have had a back injury it can cause Neuropathy.
I hope this was helpfull.

[alixjalenmom]

Thank you very much for your reply and all this information....it is very much appreciated. Take care of yourself!

[lisa in pain]

oh my goodness, I have almost all the same things wrong with myself that you do. I have been getting treated for neuropathy for about 13 months now. I have pain over my entire body, can barely walk, drop things all the time. I have been on so many medications I can't remember all of the names of them. I am now being referred to a specialist because my doctor thinks I have arthritis or a joint disease along with my neuropathy. I had chemotherapy for breast cancer which caused the neuropathy. I am just starting the process to apply for social security, any tips on that? Going for an EMG test next month, which I hear is a painful process. I had spinal fusion surgery 7 years ago and unfortunately the chemotherapy and neuropathy have affected that. I only get about 3 hours sleep a night. I am so grateful for this forum. Any tips on this disease??? Any help would be appreciated. I'm a 43 year old woman who feels 90. Its bad enough being diagnosed with breast cancer, which there is no sign of right now, thank god. But, the pain I am in is excruciating, muscles, skin, face, joints, can't walk without walker. I'm glad i'm not the only one going thru this. Sometimes my doctor looks at me like i'm crazy.

[alixjalenmom]

Lisa, just a quick reply at this time as I am on short time, but I never found the EMG tests to be that painful, in comparison to all other things that have been done to me, so don't worry about that! Will come back to this forum to reply again. So glad to have your reply and the other reply--VERY Helpful to me! I just woke up, and feel 90 years old, like you~~I just turned 46.