Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
Link to Periferal Neuropathy Syptoms


Neuropathy, which doctors refer to as peripheral neuropathy or PN, signifies a problem with the functionality of the peripheral nerves responsible for the transmission of signals from the central nervous system to the rest of the body and from the body back to the brain.

Depending on which peripheral nerves are affected, PN produces many symptoms with varying degrees of severity. In a lot of cases, other health conditions perpetuate PN, and thus, it can be both a symptom and disease unto itself.

1. Numbness and Tingling​

If peripheral neuropathy affects the sensory nerves, a person may experience numbness and tingling in localized areas of the body. This occurs because the nerves that carry messages of sensation — touch, pain, temperature, and so on — are not performing optimally.

Numbness generally occurs in the lower half of the body, with an increasing loss of perception in the region. Tingling signifies a mild, prickly feeling of localized magnitude.

2. Localized Pain​

Many individuals suffering from PN experience sharp, shooting pains at random, mostly in their legs. Sometimes this pain comes from a stimulus that should not be painful, such as a light touch. It is noteworthy that these are characteristic of sensory neuropathy where dysfunctional nerves produce atypical sensations in the body.

3. Loss of Balance​

Peripheral neuropathy may cause loss of balance due to muscle weakness or a loss of sensation in the legs. This makes it harder to know where the body is in space.

4. Abnormal Gait​

A complex network of systems across the body control how we walk. Walking relies on the proper functioning of sensory and motor nerves in an integrated manner.

Those suffering from PN may develop an abnormal gait due to dysfunction of the sensory and motor nerves. A stooping walk, lopsided trudge, or dragging feet can indicate this symptom.


5. Cramps​

Peripheral neuropathy may affect motor nerves that control movement across the body.

In such cases, muscle cramps can occur and interfere with daily activities. These cramping aches may sometimes be so severe that over-the-counter NSAIDs may not be sufficient and stronger prescriptions drugs may be required.

6. Muscular Weakness​

When muscles become weak due to motor nerves developing neuropathy, patients can have problems performing small movements that require precision. For instance, buttoning a shirt, gesticulating, and picking up small objects may become difficult. In older individuals, these signs often go unacknowledged or are attributed to the natural aging process.

7. Gastric Problems​

In some cases of peripheral neuropathy, patients suffer from gastric problems such as indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or flatulence. This occurs when neuropathy affects the autonomic nerves, which govern involuntary actions.

Often, the cause of gastric problems goes undetected when a person takes medications to relieve these common symptoms.

8. Low Blood Pressure​

The autonomic nerves also control blood pressure. If peripheral neuropathy affects these nerves, one may develop hypotension, a drop in blood pressure.

Low blood pressure may produce a host of symptoms from fatigue, dizziness, and palpitation to nausea, blurred vision, and fainting in extreme cases. As with gastric problems, often the cause goes undetected.

9. Bell's Palsy​

When, in rare cases, peripheral neuropathy affects a specific nerve, Bell's palsy can develop, causing temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles on either side of the face.

People with Bell's palsy may suffer from mild muscle weakness or complete facial paralysis. The face may droop on one side, and it may be difficult to make facial expressions or close the eye on that side.



10. Other Symptoms​

Depending on the specific nerve or nerves affected, PN produces various symptoms. Some people experience eye problems such as eye pain, double vision, and difficulty focusing.

Others complain of altered sensation and weakness in the fingers. Sweating, heat intolerance, loss of bladder and bowel control, impotence, and carpal tunnel syndrome are also by-products of peripheral neuropathy.

There are various diagnoses that can have Peripheral Neuropathy as a symptom. One of them is Diabetes.
 

I am fortunate, I only have the numbness, mostly in my feet, with some creeping up as high as my hip. In the search for cause the diagnosis was "ideopathic" which translates to "we dunno". I do occasionally get some sharp, shooting pains here and there, but that's been going on since I was younger...
 
I am fortunate, I only have the numbness, mostly in my feet, with some creeping up as high as my hip. In the search for cause the diagnosis was "ideopathic" which translates to "we dunno". I do occasionally get some sharp, shooting pains here and there, but that's been going on since I was younger...
That's good it's not so bad. I used to have shooting pain in the bottom of my feet but it's gone away. Every once in awhile I get one, though. I have the balance problem and gait problem and some of the gastrointestinal but not sure it's due to PN.
 

As many of you know I was diagnosed with PN 2 months ago. It is horrible for me. It varies in symptoms for each person. Mine seems to be something to do with my neck/spine area. My feet and legs, abdomen, ears, and sinuses feel like they are burning all the time except while I sleep. To sleep I have to take 2 cocktails of meds to sleep 3 1/2 hours at a time. I see a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Neurology clinic Friday morning. I had to wait for 6 weeks to see her, and she isn't a neurologist!! The whole game with PN is to manage pain. There are many pharmaceuticals, supplements, exercises, massagers, alternative medicine...acupuncture, acupressure, and using warm and cold compresses....and many more ways people find to cope with the pain.
 
I am fortunate, I only have the numbness, mostly in my feet, with some creeping up as high as my hip. In the search for cause the diagnosis was "ideopathic" which translates to "we dunno". I do occasionally get some sharp, shooting pains here and there, but that's been going on since I was younger...
"Idiopathic" yep that is the word for it, in front of many, many PN sufferers. I am on a couple of Zoom support groups for PN and chronic pain. During one meeting a man called it "Idiotic Pathetic Neurosis". he was not a very happy bear at the time. The meetings are important to me. It is hard to communicate the suffering caused by PN ....some call it the the "Silent Disease".
 
Not much I can add except to say ...... yes I suffer from all of those . I don't know if there is a worse one ? Probably the worse thing is the fact that there [apparently] is no help [cure] for any of it . And the meds to 'help' control the symptoms do not do a very good job. So much mobility limiting pain, & in regarding the Gastro problems, you'd better stay home, & the porcelain convenience better be convenient .
 
I had my first appointment with the Neurology Clinic this morning. She was very thorough, testing my muscle strengths, eye movement, balance issues, and specific questions about my symptoms. I had several blood draws, a sugar test ( diabetes ), and scheduled an appointment in 2 months. That is quite awhile to wait, but what can you do. One day at a time. :)
 
I am fortunate, I only have the numbness, mostly in my feet, with some creeping up as high as my hip. In the search for cause the diagnosis was "ideopathic" which translates to "we dunno". I do occasionally get some sharp, shooting pains here and there, but that's been going on since I was younger...
"We dunno" expands into "we dunno but we're going to run a lot of tests because there's a new Tesla model out and I want one but when the test results are back we still won't know. But the good news is that I'll have a new Tesla!"
 
I have had some difficulty the past couple days with PN. A storm came in a couple days ago and my pain level went from 4 to 6, after all the stuff I use to get relief. I asked the Mayo Clinic forum on chronic pain if the weather effected PN. Yep, many people posted that Barometric pressure effects PN. Many people even planned before a storm would come through by increasing their relief meds. Also it interrupted my sleep. I only got 4 hours the past 2 nights.
 
I will be going to have an MRI tomorrow morning on my brain and cervical spine. The PN has gotten worse. I can no longer sleep lying down because the pain is too strong. My meds do not work so I am now camping out in the living room in a comfortable rocker. Laptop is on my lap. :) Last night was my first night to sleep in the chair. I got about 5-6 hours sleep! I have some worry that this will continue to be progressive as it is in so many people. I do not want to be an experiment for pain relief meds. So my future is very unknown. Coping with this is pretty much a full time job. I no longer can enjoy music because my ear canals are painful and feel blocked. I can exercise about 20 minutes before the pain gets worse. This is quite a journey. One I never dreamed would happen to me. I realize that terrible stuff is happening to millions of people every hour/everyday. But, when your hurting it is hard to be interested in anything but the pain.
 
Sorry to hear that. I have cervical spine problems. It makes so many things hurt. The only offer I have had is injections that may or not work. The pain relief would be temporary, then they have to do it again, but only up to 3 times. I just want it fixed, if there is a surgery just do it!!
 


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