thanks to all who have responded, iam taking b-12, however i may not be taking enough doseage. but i'm on two kinds of b-12. i do have some questions, i'm a smoker, does smoking make neuropathy worst? is neuropathy permant? i don't have health insurance and when i tried to get it, i got turned down due to the neuropathy. so i've had to pay out of pocket to see a doctor. can someone give me some tips or advice?

Yes! Smoking does make neuropathy worse, in fact smoking is one of the causes of neuropathy.

Have a look at this article, and check out the ones on the right as well. I'm sure you'll find some good info there. http://www.smallfiberneuropathy.net/...er-neuropathy/

SAVE all your diagnostic paperwork! I'm not keeping up with the political hullabaloo much, but the healthcare issue is (surprisingly) moving right along.....and even though you are currently being denied as a 'pre-existing condition', if you apply ASAP with your state healthcare aide, there's a chance your denials might get reconsideration.

Here's a recent thread on the healthcare bill being passed

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread117301.html

Not sure how it works in other states, but in my area, by applying for Medicaid, they are notoriously SLOW with the paperwork, but I've seen many cases where, once approved, Medicaid will backdate your coverage for up to a year and re-consider claims for reimbursement.

Not to get your hopes up, but if there's a slight chance, I'd go for it. Don't put it off!

i never heard of smoking causing pn before.

As Rrae stated, most all states have an insurance fund for the "uninsurable"; and each state sets their own eligibility criteria. Some states have very restrictive criteria, but NC's appears to be rather flexible. Their rates look high, but they are comparable to other states, and they do offer financial assistance.

You can check it out here:

http://nchirp.org/cost.htm

--on whether the substances in cigarettes and such are directly neurotoxic.

However, they can certainly exacerbate already exisiting neuropathy by contributing to vascular inusfficiency (circulation breakdown). This is the prime mechanism in diabetic neuorpathy and some others--the nerves are starved for nutrients and accumulate toxins, which are normally transported away, and wind up malfunctioning.

Hi mizz mg, the good news is that the peripheral nerves do have the ability to regenerate once the cause/s of the nerve damage have been taken away, healing is a very slow process but certainly not impossible.

best of luck to you.
Brian

Hey,

Are you still drinking? ANY alcohol at this point is going to further damage your nerves. You must stop drinking. Look in your local phone book for a listing for Alcoholics Anonymous. Call them and someone can help you. You must do this, as it will only get worse....I've been there.....

Ann

It doesn't cause PN !
But Glenn is very knowledgeable, and his take on it
should be considered

Hello,
Being a smoker for over 50 years I have seen in a laboratory setting the capillaries constrict due to the action of nicotine, its almost the same as putting your hand over the wind pipe and impeding the flow of oxygen. Most of us smokers don't get the message until our first heart attack.