Can Generalized Anxiety cause neuropathy? I'm curious cause I've had anxiety for years.

Anxiety can cause paresthesias... which feel similar to the sensations of real PN. PN is a disease process in the nervous system, due to damage (vaccines, drugs, viruses, toxins, nutrient deficiency, genetic errors, diabetes, hypothyroid issues, autoimmune attacks, etc)

Paresthesias often come and go and can be dependent on hyperventilation or poor breathing habits. They often reflect a temporary change in blood pH, from the changes in carbon dioxide levels. Anxiety can also raise blood pressure which then reduces blood flow to the periphery in some people. Paresthesias may reflect deranged calcium metabolism (low D) and or poor magnesium levels. They can also come when blood sugars dip low. Low blood sugars can cause muscle twitching.

Boom...thank you!

I am considering generalized anxiety because both sleep or a lorazepam seem to make the paresthesia and burning better. It is probably that the anxiety is making the symptoms worse but there is still an underlying systemic issue.

Joanna,

Is there anything that gives you relief from the SFN? Have you tried a TENS unit or IVIG therapy?

Cheers

I don't believe for one minute anxiety caused this for you. It may well exacerbate it though.
Im taking gabapentin, that takes the edge off a bit.
I'm seeing neuro today, I am asking to be considered for ivig and will pursue this until they agree.
Other than that swimming gives me temp relief - helps the AS too.
So its only symptom management really. Ive got a tens but havent tried that yet.
I also wear certain clothes now so ones light on the skin. Fashion has gone right out the window!
I will update you on meeting with the neuro today!

I don't have dry mouth or eyes either. That can be absent with sjorgens I believe. It is so much more than the dry mouth I believe.
Are you in the UK BTW? Just thinking about NHS vs I surance issues when accessing ivig.

Also chronic use of benzodiazepine drugs like Lorazepam, work in the short term, but the dependency on them creates MORE symptoms in the long term. It becomes a vicious cycle that is very difficult to break.

IVIG is only indicated for people with autoimmune disease. It is not only very expensive but has potential side effects including stroke and heart attacks.

Xrox, when you talk about new drugs for AS, do you mean the IL17 inhibitors? I just want to know what you ha e been told in terms of availability, how long you may have to wait, whether you may be eligible. Can you tell how desperate I'm sounding!!? :-)Give me the drugs!! :-)

THIS^^^

Benzos are highly addictive. I've been sober from alcohol for a few years but I went to rehab to get dry. I saw several people there kicking a nasty benzo habit that started with a prescription from the doc. Withdrawals from benzos can be life threatening if taken long enough in high doses.

Yes, the secukinumab drug. Not sure about availability. Is your AS causing more issues than the SFN? I wonder if the TENS unit could help with your AS pain?