Roxie: I just simplified the whole thing. While it is not the whole explanation, with causes, effects, meds, whatever, it will get the message across.

Whomever you wish to show this information to, well, just in case they are a supervisor, or a boss, or a non-medical professional, this explanation gives them the facts they need to understand better the condition known as Peripheral Neuropathy. So copy and past the following, either put the info on index cards and carry around with you, or simply copy and paste into your word processing software, print out some copies, have them ready and whenever you need to make someone really understand what it is that you have, well here it is!!!!

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Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe disorders of your peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system includes nerves in your face, arms, legs, torso, and some nerves in your skull. In fact, all of your nerves not located in your central nervous system — which includes the brain and the spinal cord — are peripheral nerves.

When damaged, your nerves can't communicate properly, and that miscommunication causes symptoms such as pain or numbness.

Peripheral neuropathy often affects people with diabetes and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

If a sensory nerve is damaged, you're likely to experience symptoms that may include:
Pain
Numbness
Tingling
Muscle weakness
Burning
Loss of feeling

At times your symptoms may be barely noticeable, and some people go years without realizing anything is wrong. For others, symptoms are constant, and especially at night may be almost unbearable. Signs and symptoms may include:
The sensation that you're wearing an invisible glove or sock
Burning pain
Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch
Lack of coordination

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