Hi

I asked this before but I asked two questions in the same thread and nobody responded to this part ( I think it just got missed , cus lots of responses to the other part). So I am trying again

If I have nerve damage due to needle puncture or something near my spine (about an inch away or either side) If the nerve was going to heal to I have to wait for the entire nerve to grow back at a rate of 1mm/day (from back all the way down the arm?) or would it just need to heal up in those spots? It's been over 3 months and the pain keeps spreading and becoming worse (I don't know how because I don't can't imagine worse but it is).

For example. about 12 inches above my ankles she stuck needle in. I experienced major throbbing, tingling and weird sensations in that area (and the other areas but just focusing on this area for example sake). I kept going for acupuncture because I didn't connect this together. I thought my original condition plus my recent use of clonidine (just start same week) was to blame. I had about 8 acupuncture treatments. Since then, this has spread all the way up and down my legs. The throbbing is everywhere but particularly forceful at the sight but over the last month it's like the original throbbing site has separated into two... one moving lower and lower into my foot and the other moving higher and higher up my leg (mid thigh right now).

Is this the nerve dying back? What is happening? If it's been 3 months with NO IMPROVEMENT then does that indicate that this is only going to worsen and not heal?

Shouldn't I slowly start to feel better if healing was happening. I know it could take over a year but wouldn't you slowly feel less pain and other sensations instead of worsening?

If damage is at ankle why does it take a year or more go heal ( if the rest of the nerve is fine, I hope it's fine. She did get my back and butt too which ight explain the burning, stinging, squeezing, pressure all down my leg and not just at the ankle)

I have to ask...what are you taking clonidine for? As a blood pressure drug, it is rarely used today.

Clonidine is actually helpful for pain..and some compounded transdermal pain creams contain it for that reason.
If you search "clonidine" on PN forum there are some posts with links to research about using it for PN patients.

The RSD patients sometimes put a clonidine patch on the affected limb that has the RSD symptoms.

My doc thought it would help with my twitching. It didn't. But I think it blocked some pain if the acupuncture which is why I didn't realize what was happening right away

Hi canagirl - I am new and your post spoke to me. I just posted my first post in this PN section, **

About healing - I have the same questions. I am begging and praying for any sign of improvement. How long will it take? What if it gets worse? I have twitching in my arm and it's making me so uneasy. Is this a sign of healing or more dying?

I just started gabapentin for the pain. It has helped so far, but I am a little cloudy/drowsy from it.

Clonidine is sometimes prescribed as a first line med. for tic/movement disorders. My son was on it for a very short time.

canagirl, sorry if I'm going off track here, but you mentioned way back that you had been taking Domperidone and I think I recall that your "twitches" began after that??

This is an old PubMed article, but I've seen mention of Domperidone related to movement disorders on and off in my information searching over the past decade or more.

PubMed - Domperidone and movement disorders
Drug Saf. 1997 Mar;16(3):180-204.
Drug-induced movement disorders.
Jiménez-Jiménez FJ, García-Ruiz PJ, Molina JA.

Reflux - Recognition of movement disorders
Domperidone mentioned.

wow. that pretty much made me cry. EVERY DOC Ive seen probably about 8 now DENIES that my twitching and jerking could have been caused by domperidone. I knew it to be true and that I wasn't stressed or anxious because my son is also jerking (I don't know about twitching b/c he can't speak yet and obviously can't tell me how he feels).

agh... that info just stressed me out soo much. I appreciate it, but I was living in my world of denial (just a little) that both my son and I weren't experiencing anything that wouldn't resolve itself. I am now in a really bad place emotionally.

I didn't post it to make you feel bad.

I posted it because of your posts and that it seemed a possibility that your "twitches" may have been related to the medication you mentioned a long time back rather than related to PN. It was just something that stuck out for me.

The information is just that... information. It isn't a diagnosis. It isn't definitive. It was just a thought.

Some medications can trigger tics or movement disorders. Especially if one is genetically predisposed, certain medications can trigger them as well. It also doesn't mean they are permanent or not treatable.

It was just something to consider is all.

Hi canagirl
Have just read part of Lara's links. Not what you need to find out right now but sometimes you have to go back a long way to find answers. You now have a direction in which to search for the cause of your pain. Maybe take this as a starting point and move forward.

You mention your child having 'jerking' symptoms and are naturally concerned. You probably noted the article in the second link was co-authored by a paediatrician - try taking a copy of the article to your child's paediatrician and ask them to read it and give you their opinion. Make sure you tell them of your history with domperidone including dosage, how long you took it and when in relation to your pregnancy.

Lara - thanks for finding this and posting - there are at least two medications on the EPS and TD list that I have taken - more clues to the PN story.

You mention your child having 'jerking' symptoms and are naturally concerned. You probably noted the article in the second link was co-authored by a paediatrician - try taking a copy of the article to your child's paediatrician and ask them to read it and give you their opinion. Make sure you tell them of your history with domperidone including dosage, how long you took it and when in relation to your pregnancy.

I have taken my son to two pediatric neurologists. They diagnosed him with myoclonus and are familiar with domperidone. One said absolutely not the cause and the other pretty sure no, but of course she doesn't know these things for sure.

I feel certain that it didn't cause the neuropathy I now have. It did cause the jerking and twitching. I am 100% positive the pain I have is due to acupuncture. It's like I still have the needles in and the pain radiates away from those sights in lines. Along with the all over skin burning and stinging. I DID NOT have this beforehand.