[billkesselman]

Ok...

I know what peripheral neuropathy is, I have it and I am a medical professional. What I can use help with is trying to understand is if there is connection with a childhood ailment and what has been officially diagnosed has Idiopathic Polyneuropathy.

My mother refreshed my memory the other day saying that around the age of 10 I had meningismus; I am 42. Which presents has meningitis without the effect to the meninges. She went on to say that she did some web based research and found that this meningismus could be a direct or indirect cause to my neuropathy. Keep in mind that two neurologist with every diagnostic test including a nerve/muscle biopsy could not determine the cause of my neuropathy.

Any thoughts???

[mrsD]

I think your question is beyond the scope of our posters to answer. A neurologist would be the best source I think.

But understand that peripheral neuropathy can be at the source of the pain (feet/hands etc), or in the dorsal roots of the spinal cord. Also PN pain can be a result of a central pain syndrome, which is in the pain centers of the brain.

Since your condition is not common, and/or the causes of it are not known, it is difficult to answer this question.

If you have dorsal root damage that is not being repaired by your own cells (this is an DNA error)...then that may show up
on the new MRIs that are just being used now to visualize them.
more about that here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread147771.html

We live in complex polluted times...so there may be a cause of your PN hidden in your environment.
1) statins for cholesterol and several common antibiotics
2) vaccine injuries/reactions
3) heavy metal poisoning
4) exposure to herbicides, pesticides and fungicides in gardening and landscaping
5) exposure to solvents at work or with hobbies
6) presence of autoimmune diseases
7) food intolerances --gluten, nightshades, etc
And the list can go on and on and on!

You may have to get the DNA testing done for CMT...Charcot Marie Tooth...to see if you have hereditary PN.

There are so many causes of PN... your question is really difficult because if you had a VIRUS causing the meningismus, then that VIRUS could still be in you and causing autoimmune reactions. Viruses are culprits, along with Lyme disease and some other infectious organisms (Campylobacter is one).

I have seen articles claiming over 100 causes of PN...so the subject is complex and difficult.

[billkesselman]

Thanks for the reply

This is what I thought. I have a neurologist and when I have my next appointment I will bring it up. You actually answered my question.