ADVICE PLEASE! - Neuropathy Message Board

scotland79 · 08-28-2003, 10:28 AM

Hi, Just wanted to ask if my symptoms sound like neuropathy.

I am female 23 and for a while now i have been getting totall numbness in my ring and pinky finger on both hands when awakening. It goes away after a few minutes. Other mornings when my hands arent numb they feel swollen yet they arent, just a tight feeling as though filled with fluid. I also have sponginess when walking, like the floors moving, bit like walking on a moving floor. Its very annoying. Oh and one morning when i woke my big toe was numb too, but again, it went away after a few secs. None of my GP'S or any doctors know whats causing this. I have had a normal brain MRI result and i am not diabetic. I suffer no pain except a slight tiredness in my legs when kneeling down, quite uncomfortable. Just wondering if this sounds like neuropathy? And can people get it for no reason without diabetes? I have been referred to a neurologist but its an 11 month wait!!!! too long!!! any help would be greatly appreciated.

dwpavlik · 08-28-2003, 01:37 PM

Hi
Just a side note to one of your questions, Diabetes is not the only cause of neuropathy. So it can be that you have the illness, (Neuropathy) but it would be caused by another situation. Your neurologist will be able to give you, hopefully, the answers you need. Sorry to see the appointment is so far off in the future. Try not to use the effected appendages that are numb when they are affected. You can loose balance or injure parts of your body that have little or no feeling. Hope this answers some of your questions.
Don

scotland79 · 08-29-2003, 03:30 PM

Thank you for your reply. I do not get numbness during the day at all. just when awakening. Then it goes. Someone told me that "sponginess" when walking is the first symptom of neuropathy and the pain follows. I have no pain but the sponginess. Is this true? also what other things cause neuropathy? ive had all bloodwork done and brain MRI. All fine. Thanks in advance

riceneuroni · 08-30-2003, 02:03 PM

Hi, sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Thought I'd offer some ideas.

Since the finger numbness goes away after waking, you might try a different firmness mattress. Numbness in those specific fingers (and I wouldn't be surprised if it is only the outside of your ring finger) is frequently caused by a nerve pinched in the spine.

You might also try wrist braces when sleeping. Try some that are very long, comfortable, and that you can straighten the metal rib inside completely.

I think the sponginess can also be caused be caused by pinched nerves in the spine, but I don't have experience with that symptom myself. If you can check with a chiropractor or two you might be able to get help sooner than 11 months. I can't imagine an 11 month wait, you poor dear.

Keep asking questions here and around the Board. You'll likely get many suggestions. Hope this helps.

scotland79 · 08-31-2003, 02:53 AM

Thank you for taking the time out to reply to me. I will go to a chiropractor and get advice. Its just that it costs so much to go to one of these but i'll make a point of going. Thanks again

Lyndsay