is it periforal neuropahty ? - Neuropathy Message Board

david1612 · 01-17-2009, 06:15 AM

hi, i have over the last year been diagnosed with various health complaints starting with cellulitis then severe obstructive sleep apnea,then trpe 2 respiratory failure, then deep veinous thrombosis, then diabettes type 2 and now the doctor thinks i have periforal neuropathy. i get very swollen feet and ankles my lower legs and feet are blotchy red all over ..large patches of purple bruise like colour on the front and back of my shins..often with pins and needles and some numbness and very cold feet when rest of me is hot...and finally the pain i have is very very hard to take and i can hardly walk and frequently stumble or drag my left foot behind me...its a lot to take in but would be gratefull if anyone can shed some light on it ...i have to wait till i have a nerve conductivity test before the periforal neuropathy can be confirmed or denied...thnx

SNOOKERED · 01-17-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david1612

hi, i have over the last year been diagnosed with various health complaints starting with cellulitis then severe obstructive sleep apnea,then trpe 2 respiratory failure, then deep veinous thrombosis, then diabettes type 2 and now the doctor thinks i have periforal neuropathy. i get very swollen feet and ankles my lower legs and feet are blotchy red all over ..large patches of purple bruise like colour on the front and back of my shins..often with pins and needles and some numbness and very cold feet when rest of me is hot...and finally the pain i have is very very hard to take and i can hardly walk and frequently stumble or drag my left foot behind me...its a lot to take in but would be gratefull if anyone can shed some light on it ...i have to wait till i have a nerve conductivity test before the periforal neuropathy can be confirmed or denied...thnx

Peripheral Neuorapathy sounds somewhat similar to your description. But the numbness, burning, pin and needles are mostly in the feet and hands. Numbness does move up the leg. I believe the pressure on the nerves is heavier on the feet then the legs. It is also usual to find in both feet and both hands. The pain usually extreme in the later evening is present even while sitting down in a recliner. But since peripheral mean "surrounding the outsides" these symptoms could be anywhere on the outside of the central nervous system.
One suggestion on relieving the foot pain is to put a semi-frozen slip lock bag of 50% mixture of rubbing alcohol and water on your feet.
Also, ask your Dr. for a subscription of Gabapentin. I have been taking 2x400mg capsules a day. Recently increased to 3x600 p/day. It is very effective at relieving the pain if used as prescribed.