Hi! My mother is a healthy 67 years young and has had quite an interesting time of late. I am looking for others who have experienced the same symptoms to figure out how I can help her. Here is a summary of how I got here
Mom's Symptoms:
March 2011- Dx with shingles
April 2012- Dx with shingles for a 2nd time.
March 2012- numbness in hands and feet, throbbing hands, pins and needles sensation.
March 2012- Present-- hands have never regained normal feeling. Feet symptoms are intermittent. Occasional face numbing.

We have had, brain MRI, spinal MRI's, nerve conduction tests, too many blood tests to count. None of the tests show anything conclusive. They are all contradictory to a definate disease. They don't think it is MS. We are currently seeing neurologists at Johns Hopkins and trying to get to the bottom of it all. Currently taking Gabapentin and Amitriptyline, but neither are improving the symptoms.
I would love to hear from any of you who have/are dealing with similiar symptoms.

Is there ANYTHING that will help ease the pain in her hands that anyone has had succes with? We have tried all kinds of pain meds to no avail

I am a breast cancer survivor and used those message boards to get through my own illness. It was a saving grace for me. I thought I would reach out here to try and help my mom.
Wishing you all good healthy days and happy hearts!

I don't really have your moms symptoms, but I will say that I have PN and the burning in my feet is horrid, along with numb spots, and yesterday was my first day of trying benfotiamine and it was a miracle!!!!

Last night the burning was GONE. It felt like...someone threw a went blanket over my feet...almost like...the burning was being held at bay. I know it sounds strange, trying to describe it, but its true. I could tell the burning was behind a curtain so to speak.

I dunno, all I can say it, last night was a miracle for me with just taking 3 benfotiamine.

So whatever is causing your moms problems, just start reading the supplements post that is on this forum, top right, and try 1 thing at a time till you get help.

Im new to all this so I cant help you much other to share what my experience is.

Its very frustrating. Good luck. Keep reading. I never stop.

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

First thing to do is get tested for B12 and Vit D levels. Get the actual numbers, because doctors still have outdated labs listed, showing low numbers as "normal".

If either or both are really low then you can fix that easily.

Next is to get some thorough thyroid testing. Low thyroid, will cause problems with hands and feet due to compression of the nerves by mucin ...a substance that gets deposited there along the tendons...it squeezes the nerves and causes numbness pain and tingling.

Look at the diet, eliminate all sugar and refined carbs...this often helps too. Low blood sugars precede diabetes and are confusing.

There are proteins in the blood -- various globulins. And when they are elevated, the blood becomes thick, and can't flow well and the hands and feet then tingle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoclo...d_significance

Getting shingles twice in a year is not typical. I'd wonder about her immune system therefore. Using some Lysine daily may help keep it down. 1 to 2 grams of Lysine (which is not expensive) is worth trying.

Those are the first things to look for.

If your mother uses statins for cholesterol, now is the time to
discuss with the doctor perhaps stopping them. Certain antibiotics too will cause PN:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread122889.html

dls70, please make sure your mother has had a Calcium test and while they're at it, have them check her Thyroid, but please have them check her Calcium. You'd be surprised at how many elderly people are deficient in their vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Keep us posted.