I have to say that for the past 4 months since my symptoms have been getting worse I have tried to quit smoking 4 times because it definatly does make the numbness/altered sensation worse.And you are right about the stress,for me it is a vicious circle as it is my ONLY vice I have left nowadays as well. Yet it seems this is being taken away from me because of the bad BAD effects it now has on my neuropathy, but without my last 'crutch' it seems that everything is doomed. Have you got any ideas why I should be experiencing these problems? Especially as there is no evidence to say that smoking should affect it.....

I definatly DEFINATLY get side effects and my symptoms DEFINATLY get worse when I smoke,not all the time but a lot of the time (since april this year for some reason) could this mean that I dont have neuropathy but may have something else, as 2 psots now say there is no correlation between smoking and PN ......

--did you get copies of your test results that you can post to us, to give the amateur diagnosticians (who are very good, actually) some more to go on?

I am particularly interested in what your MRI's have to say--did they do brain and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine? Reason I ask is that given the presentation and timing of the symptoms you've related, my initial suspicion would be some form of central nervous system impingment or demyelinating disease. The problem, of curse, is that one can have the exact same symptoms from central nervous system disruptions as from peripheral nervous system disruptions; it's why one generally is in for a long round of testing to try to pinpoint the causes of neural symptoms.

I, too, have not seen a direct correlation between smoking and neural symptoms (though there's adequate correlation between smoking and a whole lot of other bodily dysfunction), But, if your symptoms worsen with smoking or drinking, there is an implication that there is a vascular/circulatory component to what's going on with you, and any survey should include tests for circulation as well as vasculitic autoimmune disease.

Mark,

I am concerned about your reaction to nicotine/alcohol. Sensitivity such as this is often a sign of CNS impairment/damage. Toxicity can certainly produce such damage. I did not see your age -- may have missed it -- so that may be a factor. The younger you are, without a history of significant substance use, the more I would be concerned.

If I understand correctly, you are having follow-up tests in 4 months. That sounds like a long time. In any event, I would make it a priority to determine if you are receiving adequate diagnostic service at the present time. There is a lot of info here that could help you figure that out -- you have already been directed to the LJ charts, for instance. And you can certainly ask more questions to help in your determination.

Oh -- I just went back and see that the 4 month wait probably can't be changed under your system. You might want to post a little more about what feedback you have received so far . . . as well as other personal and medical background info.

rafi

Hi Mark, my PN hasnt gotten any better, it has changed from numbness and pain to more numbness and less pain. The main pain ihave these days is when i am on my feet , i get the broken bones feeling in my feet when i stand and walk. I was exposed to a very high concentration in a short period of time plus exposure over many months. It has not spread to any new areas in at least 2 years. As with everything with PN, it affects people differently and acts differently. Its impossible to predict what will happen over the long term. If you take care of yourself and stay away from as many toxins as possible, it is possible that you may begin to heal.

I am not diabetic (at least not that I know of) and I smoke. I have smoked for 20 years and several before I quit at that time.

When questioned by my dr about this habit, he said, that it COULD be a contributing factor to how I feel.. but not to this neuropathy..

I want to quit.... but I want help to do it (yep, chicken) and I can't take Chantix now while trying to be diagnosed... and I really can't consider quitting at this point under the stresses this situation has caused ..

Mel, I am idiopathic and I smoked for 8 years when I was young. I quit 26 years ago. I believe people when they say that pn is not caused by smoking. Smoking does, however, cause vasoconstriction and that could add insult to injury to an already stressed nerve. However, I stuggle with a weight problem (also stresses the system), so I am predisposed to feel kindly towards people who have a flaw or two. We are survivors, not superwomen (or men). Here's to loving all who have human frailties.

Not a smoker and have never smoked. Central nervous system damage due to autoimmune-related severe B12 malabsorption.

Will go to the mat for anyone's right to smoke, as long as they don't smoke where others have to breathe it.

I only mentioned smoking as a nutrient issue because smokers have been found to have less usable B12 (who knows, maybe other studies found the opposite). So, if I smoked I would take methylcobalamin and a B complex.

Of course, I think people with nerve problems should take methylcobalamin and B complex.

rose

Bob, you are very funny.

The odd thing about smoking is that my 82 year old landlord, well, I've never seen him without a cigarette in his mouth and I've lived here 15 years. He's healthy as a horse. Not even a cough. His mother lived to 105.

He does have one leg. Lost the other one at age 6 due to an infection when he lived in Italy. But he's 82 , weighs 130 lbs, and has smoked all his life. Smokes at least 4 packs a day. His wife can't stand it and yells at him and won't let him smoke in the house. So he smokes in the backyard.

He once tried to come into my home with a lit cigarette. I just looked at him and he said "oh, right, this is a smoke free home". No one has smoked in my house in all the time we've lived here. 15 years and counting.

I have no idea if smoking contributes to PN or whatever, I was just curious to see if there was a correlation.

Every time I look at my landlord and he is puffing away, I just say "so what do the doctors know, right?"

4 packs a day and counting. I guess it's all in the genes.

Melody

Ok Bob. Mark if you drink stop if you can,PN is one thing that
does effect. I'm tired are i would carry on.. Sue