Greetings to Everyone

I'm a new kid on the block and hopefully no one will mind if I jump out and ask few questions.

Hoping that someone can help me understand the differences, if there are any, between Peripheral Neuropathy and Sensory Motor Demyelinating Neuropathy.

An EMG/NCV on 02/27/06 indicated, among other things, that I had Peripheral Neuropathy ... and the same test on 06/06/07, by another doc, reported the Sensory Motor Demyelinating Neuropathy findings.

Have been bothered by low back pain and leg pain for years ... and then, out of the blue, these neuropathies pop up. Not sure, but maybe it's because these are the first such tests I've ever had. Anyway, the left leg pain is now so severe that I'm unable to walk or stand on it. So far, I haven't got a lot of help or advise from the doctors.

Any response would be appreciated.

gerry

Hi Gerry,

First of all I should tell you that I don't think of tests as the end-all word on things.

Losing the myelin sheath on nerves tends to result in pain.

If you were to start taking a B12 vitamin, in the Methylcobalamin form and in a lozenge, then it would give your body the material to rebuild the myelin sheath on your nerves. If you decide to try that (and it's not toxic, that is to say that B12 is not toxic) then get the 5mg ones because they give faster results. Also, maybe you should also take some Whey amino acids... I recently read a study saying that protein was needed to rebuilt the sheaths... http://www.health-boundaries-bite.co...alNetwork.html

Basically, I had pretty horrid pain in my right thigh... which is mostly resolved after a LOT of B12 shots.

Only when there's stress then I don't know what happens, maybe stress eats the myelin sheath, but in any case, the pain starts to come back...

so I'm in a foul mood because of legal things when the courts have behaved in a completely corrupt manner.

Sorry.

The things I wrote about B12 are good...

Gerry, the nerve is sort of like an elctrical cord. It has a ecentral axon, surrounded by a myelin sheath that acts like the insulation on a wire. Newropathies can involve the axon, the sheath, or both. Nerves also carry either sensory messages to and from the brain or motor messeages telling our muscles to move. Damage to sensory nerves causes pain and numbness, damage to motor nerves causes weakness. So it sounds like you have damage to both types of nerves, and both components of the nerves. There can be many reasons for this, and your doctors will have to look at your hisory and test findings to figure it all out. It will be important for you to follow through with this as the diagnosis will determine the treatment. I am sorry you are not feeling supported by your doctors. It is important to find a doctor you can talk to and who will help you manage your pain, as there are many things that can be done. I hope you will find one.

Neuropathy is a symptom of another underlying illness. About 2 and a half years ago I had an autoimmune attack to my nervous system,and consequentally have neuropathy now.

But way before that happened, I had pretty severe back troubles, and I remember loosing feeling in my legs,burning,pins and needles,and extreme pain. This would also be neuropathy,although at the time I had no idea that these symptoms had there own name. I have herniated discs that had to be cut back to make room for the nerve roots that were being pinched by these discs. After my operation, I had normal sensation in my legs again.

It sounds as if your troubles could also at least in part be associated with your back,and aggrivated nerve roots. You said that you have had lower back symtoms for years. Have you seen an orthopedic or had an MRI,CT scan? Do you have a back condition?

Here is a web site that explains what a neuro should do and what tests could follow....depending on what or where the problems seem to be. www.neuroexam.org

I'd also suggest that you look up www.lizajane.org as well. This site has been put together by other posters here and other places to outline, then keep track of any tests you might have and it helps you keep your records up-to-date so you can 'remember' what all happened months and at times years ago.

I hope these help and please be sure to ask questions! - j

And welcome and PLEASE if your not happy or feel supportive of your
Dr. Then look for a neurologist who specializes in Polyneurpaths,they
are out there and the best of luck. Sue

The only thing wrong with the little "Thanks" thing, is that it seems to stop conversation...

Hi Gerry and welcome to this forum,
Peripheral just means the outer extremities like your hands or your feet.

Motor nerves, the larger nerves are responsible for our movements

Sensory are the nerves responsible for sensation throughout the body.

Demyelinating means the loss of the myelin sheath that covers the nerve cells.

Just to add to the good advise already posted, i would definatly try to get on to a neuro the specializes in neuropathy, this way you will have a better chance of finding the cause as there are many ,many causes, on the front page of this forum and up top you will see the " Stickies " there is a lot of good info there,well worth reading, with this disease the more you know the better, there is a lot you can do to help yourself and if your not sure of anything just ask here.
good luck
Brian

I apologize for just using the little "Thanks" thing ... but I was hoping it would suffice until I could get a better handle on how these forums work.

For example, do I answer each individual response ... or wait and post one, probably rather lengthy message, covering all the great advise & suggestions offered by the responders? Also, is there a place where one can post a profile to list his (or her) medical history?

Again, thanks to you all for your interest ... I'll try to get up to speed soon.

gerry

Hi Gerry

Just look for the advice you need and I sincerely hope you find some that helps you.

By all means use the “thanks” icon whenever you wish – after all that is what it’s there for. People appreciate that you have read their posting and hope you may have benefited from it. It in no way stops conversation, assuming that the conversation is appropriate to the problem that you (or anyone else) has posted.

Sorry I personally can’t help answer your problem but I just wanted to answer your doubts about the thanks icon.

I do hope you are soon feeling better


Tony