[podpeople]

Saw neuro yesterday. Said ncv test shows sensory neuropathy. He now wants me to see a hematologist because my blood test showed polyclonal gammopathy and my ImG was slightly elevated. I think he doesn't know what's going on with me that's why he's sending me somewhere else. He said hematologist has to do more blood tests.
My question is, why do I have to see a hemtologist because of my peripheral neuropathy?
Thank you

[mrsD]

The reason is that some PNs are caused by disorders
Of the bone marrow and blood. These antibodies are peptides
that thicken the blood so it cannot circulate well and nerves
And other tissues suffer.

Some of these disorders are treatable and others not.
Treating then may reverse damage or at least prevent
progression of nerve damage.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by podpeople

I think he doesn't know what's going on with me that's why he's sending me somewhere else.

I kind of doubt that; many people here (self included) have just been cut loose and DXed "idiopathic" when their doctors don't know what's going on. Many of us would jump at the chance of being sent to someone to investigate possibile causes... I think your doctor is trying to help, and if it were me, I'd try to help him help me.

Doc

[podpeople]

Thank you for the information Mrs. D. I have never heard of peptides.
Dr. Smith. You are right. I was just upset because I was telling him more symptoms and it looked like he didn't want to listen.

[Vaxn8]

Originally Posted by podpeople

Thank you for the information Mrs. D. I have never heard of peptides.
Dr. Smith. You are right. I was just upset because I was telling him more symptoms and it looked like he didn't want to listen.

Actually you probably have heard of them, they are just short chains of amino acids. if they get to approximatly 50 amino acids, they are then called proteins.

[heb1212]

Originally Posted by mrsD

The reason is that some PNs are caused by disorders
Of the bone marrow and blood. These antibodies are peptides
that thicken the blood so it cannot circulate well and nerves
And other tissues suffer.

Some of these disorders are treatable and others not.
Treating then may reverse damage or at least prevent
progression of nerve damage.

Mrs. D... wow. You always add such interesting info. I find what you said particularly interesting because the onset of my neuropathy started soon after I had parvo virus b19... a virus that replicates and can harbor in the BONE MARROW and blood. Two and a half years later, I still have parvo virus DNA in my blood and a high IgG antibody titer. I've consulted doctor after doctor as this has affected me systemically and in more ways than "just" the neuropathy, and there isn't a lot of understanding as to how very difficult this virus can be on an adult. In children, it's called Fifths Disease and is a mild flu-like virus. I haven't been able to pin down a decisive opinion as to whether the DNA represents "dead" viral particles or an active, persistent infection. In any event, there isn't any treatment protocol, so I think I'm stuck. Anti-virals don't work. I tried two rounds of IVIG and they didn't help. I'm left to wonder if it just wasn't a sufficient amount, but getting insurance approval for further treatment is out of the question. I have levido reticularis with a skin biopsy indicating a mild but chronic inflammatory infiltrate and a moderately elevated sed rate. ANAs all normal... so far. They did a cryoglobulemia and IgG, IgM and IgA immune function blood test, and that was normal too, and maybe that's what you were referring to regarding the thickening of blood. Oh, I just so wish the doctors could help figure this out. Thank you for your efforts to help and educate!

[mrsD]

People with increased viscosity in the
blood can do some things to help circulation.

1). Eat a moderately low fat diet by reducing
Saturated fats while maintaining good
fats like Omega-3s. This helps keep
Triglycerides down which make the blood
Thicker (more viscous).

2). Keep well hydrated so the blood
Is less thick.

3). Have good Omega-3 intake as this
helps thin the blood.

4). Avoid sugar and excess carbs as this
Promotes elevated triglycerides.

These steps may help with thickening
of the blood some.