was wondering if anyone that has peripheral neuropathy has suffered from symptoms of burning and intense itching at some stage? my mum was doing fine and all of a sudden can not stop itching on the hands and feet.. would love some feed back
thanks

Welcome to NeuroTalk...

I think you should have your Mother report to the doctor.

There are some topical things that may help. I find Biofreeze very useful for itching or burning sensations.

I also think your mother should be tested for Vit B12 levels and Vit D. Low B12 occurs in many older people, and affects the nerves. Post the numbers for the tests here, as some doctors don't keep up with this new information, and call "normal" results which are in fact very low.

Please visit our PN forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

There are alot of things you can do and try to improve the situation, that doctors will not really help you with.

thankyou,
yeah she has been to the doctor 3 times last week and they have set up an appointment with neurologist so hopefully that will help, she also had diabetes so the gp has changed her medication so that may help. i just feel so helpless she hasent been sleeping very well as she is waking up every few hours.. but she dose seam to be getting a little bit better. the thing is she has had the tingling sensation for a few months and that was okay but all of a sudden last week had itching and burning on her hands and feet,

thanks for ur advise
hopefully the change in medication will help

Some medications can cause this.

Sulfonylureas, used for type II diabetes, can cause allergic reactions, because of the sulfonamide connection....allergy to sulfa.

Metformin used for type II diabetes can reduce B12 absorption in up to 40% of patients. This alone or other drugs like acid blockers are huge causes of low B12 in the elderly.

Sometimes once a doctor give a "diagnosis" they become LOCKED into it and fail to look at other variables. On our PN forum we discuss these other factors in detail.

In other words, you have to be more active in this process than you would normally be with doctors in other situations.

Hi Hon.

I'd listen to what Mrs. D has said. She knows her stuff. Hopefully you mom has kept her blood sugar under control?? This is VITAL.

Do you know her numbers? And the B-12 info is spot on. I was diagnosed with Diabetic peripheral neuropathy 3 years ago due to numbness on the tips of my toes. I then had the burning and buzzing in my feet. I immediately started taking 5000 of the Methyl B-12 under my tongue and that nipped that problem in the bud.

I realize that this might not work for everyone, but it sure saved my sanity.

Look up the info on Methyl B-12 on google.

Best of luck to you and your mom.

Melody

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number and caring fellow members here to assist you. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene