I wasn't being sarcastic. I don't recall ever hearing/reading that PN could come from, or be caused by arthritis (may have glossed over or forgotten), and I think that's an interesting statement! Goggling arthritis cause peripheral neuropathy I see that rheumatoid arthritis can lead to PN. Not sure about osteo yet—still reading....

It seems strange that while all of my doctors have been aware of the severe osteoarthritis in my spine, no mention of a possible connection—let alone cause/effect relationship—to my PN has ever been mentioned. The spine issues definitely began years before the PN first reared it's ugly tuchus/tukhus(sp?)/dupa.

Kinda makes me go, "Hmmm...." :Ponder: And gives me yet something else to delve into (like I have't got enough already!) :eek:

Doc

The pre-release studies Big Pharma does on its meds are usually comprised of a relatively small segment/cross-section of the general population. Many side effects don't show up until the medication has been on the market (and available to a much larger/wider number of guinea pigs) for months to years later, and then SOMEONE has to report them. Patients can do this directly (if they know how, and make the effort to do so), but often (usually?) opt for telling their doctors, who may or may not listen/take them seriously/dismiss them, and whether or not those doctors ever report those side effects is anyone's guess—they're as likely as anyone else to leave it up to someone else/the next guy. So when we see statistics on side effects, there's a good chance that we're seeing only a fraction of reality, and possibly just the tip of the iceberg.

What does your doctor hear when you talk?

Doc

Yuh, what does a doctor hear when you talk? :Dunno: Not much. :( :Scratch-Head: Just the way it is.

The interference with bone by the SSRIs is relatively new information.

Probably won't make it into inserts for a long time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

Scroll down to Bone Metabolism in this wiki article. It is pretty complicated. But when added to situations involving glucocorticoids like medrol or prednisone, it may have more of an impact. It takes many years to discover post marketing information on these sophisicated drugs. Sometimes decades!

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Stacy I'm not going to start any supplements until I can see my GP and get a script for blood work. I want to have a baseline.

Dr. Smith I just thought the look on the dogs face was really funny! I know what you mean by none of your doctors bringing up the connection to you. I was just thinking this morning that doctors of different specialities should work in one office and share each patients information. Think of all the time it would save people like us. They need to focus on the whole person not just their piece of the puzzle.

Mrs. D. That is interesting. Who knows maybe their will be a way to stop the destruction of bone.

I left a message for my rheumatologist today. I emailed my neurologist last night. He said it is concerning but not something he works on to call rheumo. I'm hoping he calls soon. I need to speak with him about this.

Thanks again to all of you. Don't know what I'd do without the people on this site! You are all angels!!!

Hi Hopeful, that is a good idea. It is nice to have a doctor one can comunicate with in modern technology. ( that way a patient do not have to wait weeks on end and pay costly fee for frequent visits)

Dr. Smith: I too, thought the big picture of the dog, and it's expression was halerious. I interpreted it in this way: as if the dog was saying " yes, I know!!!! All the things we have to go through!!

and I thought it fit you for a comment like that, due to all the "stuff" you have to deal with.

To be more serious. I think that a lot of doctors in general out and around in the medical community, do not know a lot about neuropathy, let alone it's causes.
And it is actualy dangerous, because diagnosis and treatment can be delayed.

I can still remember the day I went to this particular neurologist in my search for answers, and the doctor said" I have never in my 30 years of practice heard of such a symptom you are describing" I was trying to explain the very unpleasant experience/symptom of sensory nerves , the ever so active small fiber nerves constantly "vibrating in my tissue.

The next neurologist thought I was anxious ( who wound not be??!! after trying to get relief from this discusting condition) and he did not find any sign of neuropathy.

I was referrfed by ny own regular neurologist ( he is actually an interventional neurologist who embolized fixed my brain aneurysm) to a specialist in neuropathy at the medical school at a university. He has become my local guy, but he refers me out. He has now also refered me to another neurosurgeon regarding something else.

It was my rheumatologist that has diagnosed again the inflamatory arthiritis. She says now that it has presented with a furious polyneuropathy and small fiber neuropathy. She is treating the joint inflamations and the vasculitis with immunosupressive and the neuropathy symptoms with other meds like Lyrica and Amitripthyline.
I have had degenerative discss and cervical spondylosis in my cervical for 10 - 12 years, and have had flares of radiculopathy on and off. needed Medrol dose pack treatment sometimes. Pins and needles and numbness. BUT, ALL THESE YEARS, we did not think in the terms like "NEUROPATHY"

Dr. Smith, it was not until I was lucky to find this good young rheumatologist that is realy smart, that I was told the connection between arthritis and neuropathy. She is on that treat the patient, not the blood tests. She does hundreds of blood tests, a lot negative. But I have plenty symptoms and I have plenty positive diagnostic tests like MRI, X RAY EMG NCS, Skin biopsy, POsitive GI tests for autonomic neuropathy

I can not remember where I read it but I did resd: A lot of entrapment neuropathy can be caused by arthritis and possibly also osteoporosis??

This was just my thoughts, and I know I am rambeling Sorry

Dear Doc,

That was cute. Is that a photo of your dog? Gorgeous dog. I am a HUGE dog lover, especially of the larger breeds.

Thanks,
Hopeless

Syvonne,
I'm surprised to hear you say read you red that nerve entrapment caused by osteoporosis may cause neuropathy. I wish I had seen that. When I spoke to my neurologist today he said osteoporosis doesn't have any connection to neuropathy. Go figure!!

I think so many things are connected and the doctors have not discovered a lot of this yet. They are only currently at the tip of this iceberg.

True. A couple of our doctors have told us that doctors (in general) typically hear ~25% of what patients tell them; not because they're inattentive or ambivalent, but because they're thinking—going over things in their minds from their training or experience. IOW, they're absorbed in thought.

Similarly, patients typically hear ~50% of what doctors tell them due to anxiety, pain/symptoms, other distractions.

Good reasons to:

1.) Make/Take a list of points to make/cover; make sure the doctor hears/absorbs/comprehends what you want her/him to, and

2.) Take notes or bring someone to pick up on what may be missed.

Doc

I agree, but I don't think it'll happen. I'd be delighted if they'd just talk to/communicate with each other about us beyond sending reports back & forth. Maybe it's a game of CYA. :Dunno: I'll be very surprised if/when it ever does happen.

Doc