Neuropathy - seeking the truth!

[modert]

Okay, I am frustrated. I am trying to learn more about neuropathy and am reading opposing things that don't make sense. I believe I am experiencing symptoms of neuropathy but I am not sure.

On one hand, I have read that neuropathy is permanent nerve damage and that it is not reversible. On the other hand, I have read that the burning/tingling sensations associated with neuropathy can be a result of nerve regeneration or healing nerves. I have also read that neuropathy symptoms can temporarily worsen when you first bring your blood sugar under control (as is the case with me).

None of this makes sense to me. If its not reversable, what is healing/regenerating? What do they mean by "temporarily worsen" - for how long? What causes this? Will the symptoms go away?

I have had intermittant but daily burning in my feet that increases with activity and at night. This began about 5 weeks ago, approsimately 5 weeks after my blood sugar levels were brought under control. The burning can be quite intense (like my feet are submerged in boiling hot water) and at other times it can be a mild tingling feeling in my feet and lower legs (more like a flushed feeling) accompanied by mild aching. More recently I have had a few incidences where my arms and hands feel mildly sunburned (but not nearly as bad or intense as the symptoms in my feet and legs)

I mentioned this to my doctor and he ran some basic nerve tests on my feet. He put a vibrating device on my toe and asked if I could feel it. Of course I could. Then he poked my feet with a light pin-like device, and of course I could feel that too. I explained to him that my feet are NOT numb - they burn!!! After those brief tests he said, "Nope, you nerves are fine!"

When I went to my chiropractor (for my neck/shoulder problems) I asked him about my burning feet - he said, absolutely it is neuropathy - he had no doubt.

So what is the truth about neuropathy? Can nerves heal or regenerate? If so, why am I reading that it is not reversable? Will the burning symptom go away on its own? If not, what can I do about it? Why is my doctor insisting that my nerves are fine based on the basic tests he did? I can't imagine having to experience this symptom every day for the rest of my life!

Any advice?

[jtu91952]

Originally Posted by jdimassimo

Okay, I am frustrated. I am trying to learn more about neuropathy and am reading opposing things that don't make sense. I believe I am experiencing symptoms of neuropathy but I am not sure.

On one hand, I have read that neuropathy is permanent nerve damage and that it is not reversible. On the other hand, I have read that the burning/tingling sensations associated with neuropathy can be a result of nerve regeneration or healing nerves. I have also read that neuropathy symptoms can temporarily worsen when you first bring your blood sugar under control (as is the case with me).

None of this makes sense to me. If its not reversable, what is healing/regenerating? What do they mean by "temporarily worsen" - for how long? What causes this? Will the symptoms go away?

I have had intermittant but daily burning in my feet that increases with activity and at night. This began about 5 weeks ago, approsimately 5 weeks after my blood sugar levels were brought under control. The burning can be quite intense (like my feet are submerged in boiling hot water) and at other times it can be a mild tingling feeling in my feet and lower legs (more like a flushed feeling) accompanied by mild aching. More recently I have had a few incidences where my arms and hands feel mildly sunburned (but not nearly as bad or intense as the symptoms in my feet and legs)

I mentioned this to my doctor and he ran some basic nerve tests on my feet. He put a vibrating device on my toe and asked if I could feel it. Of course I could. Then he poked my feet with a light pin-like device, and of course I could feel that too. I explained to him that my feet are NOT numb - they burn!!! After those brief tests he said, "Nope, you nerves are fine!"

When I went to my chiropractor (for my neck/shoulder problems) I asked him about my burning feet - he said, absolutely it is neuropathy - he had no doubt.

So what is the truth about neuropathy? Can nerves heal or regenerate? If so, why am I reading that it is not reversable? Will the burning symptom go away on its own? If not, what can I do about it? Why is my doctor insisting that my nerves are fine based on the basic tests he did? I can't imagine having to experience this symptom every day for the rest of my life!

Any advice?

Before i got my sugar under control I use to have tingling and burning in my feet and legs all the time. My podiarist said it was nuerophaphy(? spelling) he gave me something to soak and wash my feet with. Nueropathy is nothing more than poor circulation. I no longer suffer this problem because as advised I soak my feet at least 15 minuites and put this cream, camorol (prescription) on and a pair of socks. The next morning my feet are fine. Good luck.

[modert]

How intense was your burning? Mine is very intense. How long did it take for the symptoms to go away? My blood sugar has been under control for about 10 weeks now, but this symptom is persisting, if not getting worse. And I never had it before.

[Mommyof4]

A GP can not tell you if you have Neuropathy or not. Neuropathy actually has nothing to do with poor circulation. It is nerve damage plain and simple. I have Neuropathy and sadly, mine is a permanent condition. The nerves are damaged from high blood sugars so they regenerate all except the endings which are what you use to feel. It's kind of like scarring. Mine has been so intense that I couldn't put socks on or stand for long periods of time.

I would recommend that you go to a Neurologist. They can put you in for an outpatient Nerve Function Test. This is the only test that can tell you for sure what is going on. I am now on Celebrex and Neurontin for mine and it is managable. HTH

[Mommyof4]

I forgot to add... I also have Neuropathy of the Bladder which is painless but a pain nonetheless... It leads to not feeling a full bladder and not emptying completely.