I have had existing idiopathic PN since January 1994, but markedly worse since July 2012. Greater burning, increase in fasciculation, and intense heel and foot pain.

I threw out my lower back very badly on Christmas morning and had a lumbar MRI last month that showed the following:

L3/4: 5 mm right paracentral disc protrusion. No definite direct nerve root impingement is seen.

L4/5: Small broad-based posterior disk bulge with superimposed 3 mm central disc protrusion. There is minor narrowing of the subarticular recesses bilaterally.

Two questions for anyone willing to lend an opinion and gain the instant good karma that results:

1) Is is possible that these back issues could be making an existing PN worse?

2) A alternate theory might be an immune-mediated neuropathy to explain the dramatic flareup after 18 years of stable symptoms. Would a prednisone trial be warranted to test that theory? If the prednisone reduced symptoms, should I press for an IVIG trial?

Any opinions that you could render would be extremely appreciated so that I can ask the right questions with my medical providers moving forward.

Great thanks,

JB