Elderly, alone and frightened. Please read. - Neuropathy Message Board

Maryduralde · 09-01-2006, 07:30 PM

I posted this in Fibromyalga board. I'm new, this was my first post and didn't know how it worked. Still don't know much but will paste my post below. I would so much appreciate a reply. It's very frightening to be alone and scared. I forgot to mention that the numbness is mostly on the front part of my legs, ankles and top of my feet. Thank you kindly for reading. Here is my post.
I'm at a loss. I'm in my early sixties, have high anxiety and stress. I've had numbness or tingling, not sure what to call it, which started about 4 or 6 years ago and doesn't let up. The soles of both feet burn occasionally but then the ball of my feet are rather worn out. These are my only symptoms and my doctor has sent me for an EMG/NCV which is negative. I have FMS, scoliosis, low back pain, stomach muscle are/have been very weak due to surgery in 92'. Now my doctor wants me to see a neuro specialist. Would some of you folks please help me. Do you know if these are symptoms of MS? I'm widowed with no one to turn to should I get down and this is really scary. I have terrific health anxieties, panic disorder too. Thank you so much and may God bless all of you.

snowmelts · 09-02-2006, 06:53 PM

I'll be 60 next spring myself.
I too live alone, but I do have relatives within a half hour or so driving distance.
I can't claim elderly status yet since my mother is the elderly one in the family,
but I do take advantage the Senior Citizen discounts whenever possible!
I do understand your worry about being sick and not having someone else there.

Believe it or not I just read a newpaper article not long ago that said a lot of people have feet whose pads of the feet get thinner. Kind of supprised me since I don't know anyone it happend to.. but I thought I'd mention it so you know you are not alone in that problem. I have no idea what to do about it.

YES, I agree you should see a Neurologist.
The tingling sensations you feel in your limbs is called Paresthesia.
Here is a link to info on that:
[url]http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paresthesia/paresthesia.htm[/url]

There are literally hundreds of reasons people get Paresthesia.

The numbness may indicate an entrapped nerve, or something else..the tests will help pinpoint the probable cause of problem.

The Neuro will (most likely) order a blood test, checking for Diabetic problems, vitamin/mineral imbalances, ANA, and things like that as well as perhaps an MRI of your spine to see if any nerves are entrapped causeing your Paresthesia. If MS is suspected he may order a CT scan of the brain.

Paresthesia is one of many unhappy symptoms of Periphal Neuropathy us board memebers share, (no matter other symptoms we may also have).

Be aware many of us haveing Periphial neuropathy never find the cause because there are so many diff problems lumped under Neuropathy!
But we keep searching.
Good luck.

Maryduralde · 09-04-2006, 08:26 AM

Thank you for replying Vet. I'll be seeing the neurospecialist on Sept 13. Meanwhile I am going to try a reputalbe chiropractor. I believe the EMG/NCV elininated a pinched nerve, problem with disc. He told me the test was neg except for bilateral carpal tunnel which really doesn't bother me since I don't work. He did both arms and one leg. I HATE getting old! My vision started going at 40, at 50 I was DX with hypertension and at 60 all HEL* broke loose! Thanks for letting me vent and God-bless you for taking the time to reply.

6foot3 · 09-04-2006, 12:12 PM

Hi mary....Have you had your blood sugar levels tested for diabete's or pre diabete's as this a cause of numbness in the areas which you described..Is this MS that you have? ...well no one knows but only a skilled neurologist who can properly diagnose your situation and even if you do have MS there's different ways to fight it medically and nutritionally...
take care !!.....

Maryduralde · 09-04-2006, 05:35 PM

Thank you for the reply 6'3. Yes, I've had the test done, all neg. I just read a post by a neuro doc on another board that mentions my symptoms. He stated that the problem could be due to cervical cord compression. I'm not well versed in medical terminology but I think this is the upper spine? I have scolosis and have problems with my left side of my neck, a result of whiplash years ago. Sometimes if I turn my head a certain way, it will catch and for a few seconds, I can't move my head. I've been thinking 'small fiber sensory neuropathy' until I read this post. The doc said sensory problems over the front of the shin, top/inside of the feet could be from an L5 root lesion. I have no idea where this is. Thank you for your post S6'3, you seem very knowledgable. I've read many of your other post. God-bless.