[gailmc]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this board. I was recently diagnosed with neuropathy in both my feet. I am scared, nervous and in alot of pain and i don't really know what to expect. I also have Meniere's Disease which I was diagnosed with 4 years ago and now I am dealing with this. I'm very frustrated and I guess I'm looking to learn as much as I can about Neuropathy.

[Rrae]

Welcome!
Boy have you come to the right place! You'll be amazed with all of the information there is about neuropathy. Be sure to check out the "Sticky" section at the top and also the "PN supplements, tips, etc."
You certainly aren't alone in this, and the support here is wonderful.

It's great to have you,
Rae

[gailmc]

Originally Posted by Rrae

Welcome!
Boy have you come to the right place! You'll be amazed with all of the information there is about neuropathy. Be sure to check out the "Sticky" section at the top and also the "PN supplements, tips, etc."
You certainly aren't alone in this, and the support here is wonderful.

It's great to have you,
Rae

Thank you Rrae,
I will check out those stickies. I'm glad I'm not alone in this. This is all new to me and It is a little scary and I don't know what to expect so I'm looking forward to getting as much info as I can and meeting everyone here.

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

Can you please tell us what was going on with you when this started? Did the Meniere's come after, or first?
What tests exactly did you have and what you were taking then (antibiotics, statins, etc) or since then or now?

Our Subforum above has alot of gathered information to help
people decide if they want to try and help themselves. So take a look there as well as the suggested stickies.

[gailmc]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

Can you please tell us what was going on with you when this started? Did the Meniere's come after, or first?
What tests exactly did you have and what you were taking then (antibiotics, statins, etc) or since then or now?

Our Subforum above has alot of gathered information to help
people decide if they want to try and help themselves. So take a look there as well as the suggested stickies.

Hi,
Actually, the Meniere's came first (about 4 years ago). Woke up one morning and I couldn't hear out of my left ear (It was blocked). Then I started getting vertigo really bad, about 2 to 3 times a week. I had several tests including a balance test, numerous hearing tests and have had steroid injections in my ear to help with vertigo. Then I had a gentamicin shot two years ago and that has really helped alot. It has really minimized my vertigo attacks to the point where I really don't get vertigo any more, I just get little moments of dizziness but nothing severe. I take meclizine and valium for the vertigo.
About 2 years ago I noticed numbness, tingling and burning in both my feet. I thought it was arthritis (I was naive in not knowing it was something else). About a month ago a friend told me about her sister having neuropathy and having the same symptoms. About 3 weeks ago, Ironically enough, I started having alot of pain in my right foot. Up until that point there was no pain, just the tingling and numbness and burning and feeling like I have a boot on even when barefoot. My PCP sent me to a Neurologist and she diagnosed me with the Neuropathy. I have to go back next month to have an EMG and blood work done. That is about it I guess. I know this is long but it's complicated for sure. I will check out the Sticky notes to see what info I can gather. Thanks so much for your inquiry.

[adelina]

Hi Gail,
I just wanted welcome you to this site. When my pn (peripheral Neuropathy) first began and when it was finally diagnosed I was very confused, scared, frustrated and at many times felt depressed and alone. This site really helped me keep it together. No matter what I was going through there was at least one someone that could genuinely empathize with me. It is not always the same person that helps me through a moment of despair - that is what is so wonderful. It is a very enriching experience to learn about people all over the world who can commiserate with you about what you are feeling at that particular moment!

Everyone is also so great about education. You will learn so many new ways to adjust to and combat your pn you will be a bit overwhelmed - but it is worth taking the time to absorb the information and using what applies to you. I have learned things on here that my pcp would not ever have told me and they have greatly improved my daily functioning with pn.

I have learned that there are so many wonderful people here and they are all here to help everyone go through the steps of acclimatizing their lives to pn and to get help when they themselves are having are hard time - it is a wonderful circle!

[Don_S]

I have a similar neuropathy to yours, but milder. Mine was gradual-onset, affects both feet, and manifests as numbness and occasional burning.

It seems that "neuropathy" simply means "nerve disease" and, while medically distinct from specific nerve diseases like multiple sclerosis, the term still covers a lot of very different syndromes. Some, like "Man on Fire" syndrome, have been linked to genetic mutations. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a well-known cause of neuropathy, as is diabetes. Some drugs can cause it too.

I'm just mentioning some things which are explored MUCH more fully on some of the sticky topics. (Mrs. D's excellent work: Vitamin B12, drugs that can cause neuropathy, and diabetic neuropathy) but the take-home message for me is, your neurologist should check B12, alcohol consumption, possibility of diabetes, and family history of neuropathy right off the bat.

One of the benefits of this forum is that when you do see a neurologist you won't be ignorant. My doc is great, he asked all the right questions, and because I learned from this forum what those questions were I have more trust in his knowledge.

Note that the cause of a lot of neuropathy cases is not discovered. I've read anywhere from 30% to 50% are "idiopathic", I dunno what the exact figure is.

Keep us informed.

[hopeful]

Originally Posted by gailmc

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this board. I was recently diagnosed with neuropathy in both my feet. I am scared, nervous and in alot of pain and i don't really know what to expect. I also have Meniere's Disease which I was diagnosed with 4 years ago and now I am dealing with this. I'm very frustrated and I guess I'm looking to learn as much as I can about Neuropathy.

Hi Gail,
Welcome! I can almost hear your level of anxiety jumping off the page and I remember it well. Trust me it settles down once you have had neuropathy for a while. I have had it a little over 3 1/2 years and I am not so afraid anymore. I try not to think too much into the future. Take it one day at a time.
Be smart learn as much as you can. Write a list of questions for your doctor before you go so you don't forget anything. I make one for myself and the doctor so we can both look at them as we go through them. If you can take someone with you who can write down the answers. Sometimes we are so overwhlmed by what we are hearing we forget what was said. Find a doctor that you think you can make a good connection with because you will probably have to see them a few times a year.
It is true the reason for a lot of neuropathies is unknown (idiopathic). I have had every test imaginable and still have no answer. They say it could have been a virus or bacterial infection.
Hang in there and keep coming back!! I have gotten so much from this site and everyone on it. They help me to feel at least somewhat comfortable with what is happening to me. It is a great group!!!

[Chicosalt]

Originally Posted by hopeful

Hi Gail,
Welcome! I can almost hear your level of anxiety jumping off the page and I remember it well. Trust me it settles down once you have had neuropathy for a while. I have had it a little over 3 1/2 years and I am not so afraid anymore. I try not to think too much into the future. Take it one day at a time.
Be smart learn as much as you can. Write a list of questions for your doctor before you go so you don't forget anything. I make one for myself and the doctor so we can both look at them as we go through them. If you can take someone with you who can write down the answers. Sometimes we are so overwhlmed by what we are hearing we forget what was said. Find a doctor that you think you can make a good connection with because you will probably have to see them a few times a year.
It is true the reason for a lot of neuropathies is unknown (idiopathic). I have had every test imaginable and still have no answer. They say it could have been a virus or bacterial infection.
Hang in there and keep coming back!! I have gotten so much from this site and everyone on it. They help me to feel at least somewhat comfortable with what is happening to me. It is a great group!!!

Thank you SO much, Hopeful!
I am twovyears in with minor numbness/tingling/ burning and haven't gotten past the scared to death stage yet.
Just want to let you know that, although I LOVE this forum, there aren't enough reassuring posts like yours.
So, thanks again.

[badear]

Hello to all. I am new here. I have had an ear condition for a year that has been recently diagnosed as Menieres. I started taking a diuretic and three days into that, I developed Neurological symptoms of a widespread neuropathy. My general doc took me off the med and refuses to believe the med caused the neuropathy. She is searching for another cause. Meanwhile, I worry about the progression of this nerve damage. Is the a relationship between Neuropathy and Menieres? Does anyone know?

Thanks.