In the past couple years I havent had many maladies. No colds or flu. I did have some stiffness in my legs but i was playing ALOT of volleyball and it didnt seem unusual or painful. I fractured my pinky in the summer, and fell on my back last year barely missing my spine (landed a couple inches to the right, middle of the back). I have had some muscle twitching in the past year but i attributed it to so much activity.

I need to check the blood work again, I do believe they checked one B level and 3 other things, i'd like to get a more comprehensive test but doctor doesnt think it is needed yet...

Im pretty sure its not TTS since I sometimes have pain high up in the leg and pins/needles in the other foot as well.

RSD sounds pretty bad, I sure hope its not that, so sorry for your pain too. Its so easy to take your health for granted until something like this happens. I read up on RSD and so far do not have any of the symptoms except the pins/needles/light burning/some zapping. Im currently taking Gabapentin for the pain, which helps but not 100%.

Thanks so much for the feedback, I hope we all feel better.
Steve

I would think possible sciatica, but since the hand was involved that rules out sciatica.

I would definately think about getting tested for autoimmune diseases. Also read up on small fiber neuropathy. Cleveland clinic has a good overview of SFN that tells what kind of testing should be done.

Keep going with testing until you get a diagnosis or you feel satisfied that you have done all you can do and accept its idiopathic.

I still don't have a diagnosis after 6 months of extensive testing. I too had symptoms that came and went in the beginning and then just stayed. I was also an active person. I know what you mean about being distracted from real life due to these type of symptoms. It sucks, but when you get your symptoms treated, you can find more time to be in the moment, instead of in your head worrying about what is wrong with you. In the end, symptom control is the real focus for most of us.

I hope you get your answers. Congratulations on your up coming wedding too!

Welcome to NeuroTalk....

I see two clues from your posts so far.... You fell on the right side of your back and your right leg is affected by heat.

So first off... I'd stop any heat/hot tub visits, and ice your back in the lumbar region, for 20 minutes 3 times a day.

Put some ice on your right neck and also your wrist. Heat inflames nerves. Avoid it for a while and see if your issues are injury related.

Some magnesium may help with the muscle twitching etc.
Here is my magnesium thread:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Also watch your diet and avoid MSG. This can trigger pain receptors. MSG is in alot of processed foods/soups and restaurant foods.

Hi again. Before my DX with RSD and PN part of the hard part of getting the dx was I did not have a lot of the symptoms that go with these conditions. So not always is it concrete. Also through the 4 years it has changed a lot. For ex I used to not have swelling and now I do. Another issue is your age. I can't even tell you how many times I have been told you are too young for this yet it happened. I have had to push for some tests I think because of that. I have learned so much from people here on tests to ask for,meds,etc. I agree about auto immune testing. I am not sure the symptoms of lupus but I know that was brought up at one time for me. As for the heat when my back was impacted I was putting heat on it all the time. I think Mrs D was right it was making things worse in the long run. At the moment I felt it helped but overall I think it stired things up. Of course we are all different. Hope you feel better.

Since you mention some signs of carpal tunnel and you say you sit a lot at work- computer/desk job?
How's your overall posture - head forward, shoulders rolled or hunched?

Could be one thing or could be 2 things that happen to show up at the same time...

You might read some of our useful sticky threads on the Thoracic outlet syndrome forum- we call it TOS for short - can occur from chronic repetitive injuries. computer, desk, whiplash, sports type hits or falls.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

Personally if the MDs can't seem to help narrow it down.... locate an expert chiropractor or advance PT person and get a comprehensive evaluation from them. See what they come up with...

I wanted to check back into the thread i started and give a general update and ask some questions. So since my last post not a whole lot has changed although I think ive possibly met some doctors that can help. At this point im pretty sure I have something more than just a trapped nerve or injuy, but i can hope.

A few weeks ago I had several good days of just light tingling, I got excited and tried to shoot basketball by myself for 10 minutes. While doing so, i felt great and my feet didnt hurt while doing so. Well within a couple hours my feet, ankles, legs had random hot sensations, pin/needles, vibrations. Pretty uncomfortable, not screamly painful but enough to really bother me. Also for up to a week after that my feet were more painful, and only calmed down a couple days ago.

So for you other PN suffers is it common that you feel fine when you are on your feet, being active, and it doesnt hurt until after?

Ive had more blood work done by a Rhuemy and a new Neurologist, I'm also supposed to get the dreaded brain MRI to rule out MS. I REALLY hope that is not the case... Lately Ive been looking at this possible DX called Benign fasciculation syndrome. Other than fasciculation its been known to result in nerve pain, exercise intolerance, fatigue, etc. It also often presents itself during times of overexertionand mental stress, both of what i was experiencing when this all started.

I've dropped off the Gabapentin after a month, 900mg a day wasnt doing much except making me spacey. I started Amitrityline, hoping that helps with pain and depression.

"Well within a couple hours my feet, ankles, legs had random hot sensations, pin/needles, vibrations. Pretty uncomfortable, not screamly painful but enough to really bother me. Also for up to a week after that my feet were more painful, and only calmed down a couple days ago"

yes i think most P/N sufferers have the above after exertion. I certainly do
You certainly are showing classic symptoms. My first indication was night cramps in my feet for 6 months then a numb patch on sole of the foot then toes and now to the ankles burning etc. It really sneaks up on you...

"'ve dropped off the Gabapentin after a month, 900mg a day wasnt doing much except making me spacey. I started Amitrityline, hoping that helps with pain and depression"

You should be on low dose amitrityline 25mg or less, apparently not enough for depression but perfect for pain. Im taking it and it really is a magic bullet however after a few weeks im finding the side effects even worse than Lyrica

Hi Bro, (Well, somebody was going to say it)

Somewhat and sometimes.

Mine began with the sensation I had something bunched up under my toes. From there it progressed to the numbness & tingling, and eventually to pain & burning.

There are days when I know I have to do errands/chores and dread putting the shoes on. But after being somewhat active, it gets easier for a time, and then more difficult. If I've been very active, it can hurt/burn (worse) for several days afterward.

Doc

you are taking? If used for Pn symptoms it is given at a much less amount than what is needed for Depression. I am on 30mg. at bedtime.......best sleep aid I ever took! Is helping with my breakthrough sensations, but I am also on 900mg. Gabby. I was thinking of asking Doc to up Amitrit. and decrease Gabby. I also have muscle fasciculations, had them non-stop about a year ago, now just a few a day. The more I read about it and after reading my PN sister, Rosethorne has fasciculations also (we have almost identical symptoms), it makes me suspect Benign Muscle Fasciculation syndrome is much more than muscle fasciculations alone.

I would be interested to know if it is common for PN patients to also have muscle fasciculations.........

Good luck with your MRI.....I had 3 of them, along with a spinal tap to outrule MS.

The best advice I can give you is to be thankful for everything that is ruled out, even though you would like a diagnosis, look at it in the opposite way, at what you don't have, it took me a while to learn to look at it that way, but it sure helps ones mental stability.