[murgy]

Hi, do any of you know what type of "different" symtons may appear as the nervers start to regenerate? My neuropathy is improving - but I have noticed that I am having feelings similar to splinters in varying areas in the soles of my feet. While very "noticable" at times, it is so far not too much of a problem. My Podiatrist suggests that these feeling would most likely be nerve-related. If it is, in fact, a sign of the nerves healing, I would not have a problem with this at all. Has anyone else experieced this - and do any other "unusual" symtoms appear as our nerves begin to heal? Any thoughts / information would be greatfully appreciated.

Regards,
Christine.

[glenntaj]

The symptoms of nerves healing as the nerve growth cones force their way through tissue, produce weird signal patterns until completely connected, and being interpreted by the brain as parasthesas ("beyond the usual sensations") can be every bit as annoying and painful as those of nerves being damaged. In fact, many have said that repairing nerves recapitulate the symptoms of nerve damaging processes, with the difference being that the symptoms do tend to ease with time. It's hard to tell this except in long-term retrospect, however (the reason many people keep symptom diaries).

I've been through this on a number of occassions--often, the symptoms are strong enough it's hard to distinguish them from "flares". Exacerbated symptoms often start up suddenly and disappear just as suddenly.

Also, regrowing nerves are quite vulnerable to compressive forces--the nerve growth cone tips can be pressured easily as they pass around nd through other tissue, and produce weird symptoms.

[nide44]

Not to step on Glenn's toes, but to put it simply -
Regrowth can cause as much pain (& symptoms) as the PN damage,
and it is difficult to distinguish between the two.

[Brian]

At first I had lots of flaring of symptoms, the flaring only got less often and less severe as the months led into the years ahead, for me it was impossible to tell the differance in the first few months, but over time I could tell I was healing, very slowly, the only thing that really stood out the most was the electric like stabbing feelings started to go away after about the first 6 months and faded out completely a few months later.

[Gyrene]

Hello all,
I have been following this "regrowth" talk very closely, as supposedly, as my condition "Waldenstroms Macroglobulemia" is being treated, it will lessen, and hopefully, regrow the nerves that have been damaged by PN. Hematologist says it may take two years.
Neurologist, and hematologist agree that my PN is an outgrowth of the Waldenstroms, so it should dissipate as the cancer regresses.
The treatment that my dr is using for the cancer is Rituxan. After 4 treatments, the IgM has dropped from 7,700 to 7100. I had hoped for a much greater drop, but I guess it is going to take much longer than I had originally thought. Anyway, at least it is going in the right direction.
Much thanks to all who use this community, and contribute such helpful "real" information.

[dahlek]

I often have to sit and THINK about whether it's nerve degeneration or regeneration!
There has been very little done in this quarter. I can't even recall when a 'regeneration' study of value [other than on snails or slugs?] was done in the last 2-3 years.
This is often how it feels tho [To me at least?] Degeneration issues are constant! Nerves and muscles in areas affected deteriorate rapidly and often w/o warning. Regeneration? is more like a proliferation of zeeps and zaps that occur/re-occur for periods lasting USUALLY about 5 minutes to a 1/2 hour. New nerves are 'asking' for 'what do I do?' cues and you need to understand this. As they've no 'direction' at first.
With the first? You almost want to amputate limbs? With the latter? You simply want to 'jump outta your skin'! Altho it's a temporary thing? It's not fun?
Nerves die very FAST! They regrow soo much more slowly? And when they grow, they NEED Direction, and programming. Physical therapy can be ever so useful in this process-IF you can find a good therapist!
I hope this help you start to keep at it? There is and can be relief out there! - j

[mrsD]

When I finally had levothyroxine therapy to help my hypothyroid issue, my mostly numb feet (they had hurt terribly earlier on and then became numb) started with pins and needles. This lasted several months, almost a year.

[Hope15]

This is what I have been experiencing for the last week and an half. I assumed it was just a bad flare, but part of me wondered (or prayed) that maybe some healing might start. It has followed such a strange pattern. Like when the neuropathy first started, it spread upward, and now I have had times where it is going in reverse. When reading the net about what other people experienced when they healed, it really seemed so many of them were different. A couple of times I read how some said they got really worse before they got better. This darn condition! I wish there was a set pattern that one could say you would experience, so you know you were healing. On the other hand, I am just grateful that there is even a possibility that I can heal at all....and that's what keeps me going.

[triviafriend]

Originally Posted by murgy

Hi, do any of you know what type of "different" symtons may appear as the nervers start to regenerate? My neuropathy is improving - but I have noticed that I am having feelings similar to splinters in varying areas in the soles of my feet. While very "noticable" at times, it is so far not too much of a problem. My Podiatrist suggests that these feeling would most likely be nerve-related. If it is, in fact, a sign of the nerves healing, I would not have a problem with this at all. Has anyone else experieced this - and do any other "unusual" symtoms appear as our nerves begin to heal? Any thoughts / information would be greatfully appreciated.

Regards,
Christine.

Do a daily journal...then you can tell week to week if you are experiencing recovery. This has helped me a lot. You cannot tell day to day if you are getting better or not.