[EHorst99]

My first numbness feelings showed up on the tips of my toes almost exactly one year ago.

In the last 5 weeks, it's gone from foot pain and that "fuzzy socks feeling" at my ankle to foot pain (largely handled by gabapentin) to the fuzzy socks feeling almost all the way to my knee. Almost 12 inches of "progression" in not much more than a month.

How does this compare to you?

And, my earlier question, does it ever stop?

Thanks,

Ed

[mrsD]

I'd get tested for heavy metal toxicity.

Also autoimmune issues.

Anything in the hands?

When I had my severe PN early at 30, I had considerable hand issues as well.

Did you have B12 tested? Do you know the result? Do not accept "normal" from the doctor without the numbers. If they are
below 500, you need B12 ASAP. In fact I would be doing it NOW.

[dahlek]

My 'toes' were numb when I first got a referral to a neuro. However I ended up in a hospital with a neuro progression NO ONE wants to have the week before that neuro appointment!
I would call my GP NOW and if he'd referred you to a neuro do same and they will likely say 'Go to the ER'....not fun, but this IS a Monday? Because of that you might be squished into an emergency appt tomorrow. CALL NOW! Don't DELAY! [My events occured on a Wed!]
Why? I had to spend 14 hours in an ER before I was 'seen', then the resident on call took another 4 hours to tell me he'd found 'neuropathy' on the internet! In a hospital for three days, and then 'kicked' out, could hardly stand, walk or anything yet..deemed safe to be on my own. NOT!
This is not to scare you, but to seriously URGE you to go see those KEY docs NOW! Don't put it off until tomorrow. Please! And 's in the meantime, it's a scary thing, but with care...good care, it is not at all. Get that care! - j

[EHorst99]

Originally Posted by dahlek

My 'toes' were numb when I first got a referral to a neuro. However I ended up in a hospital with a neuro progression NO ONE wants to have the week before that neuro appointment!
I would call my GP NOW and if he'd referred you to a neuro do same and they will likely say 'Go to the ER'....not fun, but this IS a Monday? Because of that you might be squished into an emergency appt tomorrow. CALL NOW! Don't DELAY! [My events occured on a Wed!]
Why? I had to spend 14 hours in an ER before I was 'seen', then the resident on call took another 4 hours to tell me he'd found 'neuropathy' on the internet! In a hospital for three days, and then 'kicked' out, could hardly stand, walk or anything yet..deemed safe to be on my own. NOT!
This is not to scare you, but to seriously URGE you to go see those KEY docs NOW! Don't put it off until tomorrow. Please! And 's in the meantime, it's a scary thing, but with care...good care, it is not at all. Get that care! - j

What was your eventual diagnosis?

How did they correct this rapid onset, in you case?

Thanks,

Ed

[mrsD]

If you have a toxin or metabolic problem...then PN will be not localized to the feet and legs.

Localization should be looked at as coming from the back.
Or circulation. If you smoke, I'd be looking at circulation.

Diabetic PN does start in the feet. But other causes/triggers do not localize just there.

My PN was thyroid induced early... and it was not only in the feet.

[EHorst99]

Originally Posted by mrsD

If you have a toxin or metabolic problem...then PN will be not localized to the feet and legs.

Localization should be looked at as coming from the back.
Or circulation. If you smoke, I'd be looking at circulation.

Diabetic PN does start in the feet. But other causes/triggers do not localize just there.

My PN was thyroid induced early... and it was not only in the feet.

I don't smoke, but I am overweight and have been for years. Although the basic glucose tests came back normal, after reading things on this board and elsewhere, I intend to ask for tests for impaired glucose tolerance -- i.e. "pre-diabetes". There are some reports on the internet that as many as 40% of those people originally labeled "idiopathic" turned out to have IGT.

We'll see...

[EHorst99]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I'd get tested for heavy metal toxicity.

Also autoimmune issues.

Anything in the hands?

When I had my severe PN early at 30, I had considerable hand issues as well.

Did you have B12 tested? Do you know the result? Do not accept "normal" from the doctor without the numbers. If they are
below 500, you need B12 ASAP. In fact I would be doing it NOW.

I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm mostly asking about how quickly others PN had progressed in order to form a comparison with my own.

But, to answer the questions...

There's nothing with the hands (yet). My understanding is that neuropathies are length dependent and that hands don't typically get involved until there's leg issues almost to the top of you thigh (typically where your fingers tips are when you're standing up.)

I've had most tests done over the past number of months including autoimmune, metals, and B12. All the tests, thus far, have been "normal." But I don't have the tests in front of me, so I can't quote the B12 numbers. I'm seeing her again on Tuesday next week and will get a copy of all of my results so that I can look at them in light of what others are saying.

I've went ahead and ordered Methyl B12 based on what others have suggested. It can't hurt.

The rests of Liza Jane re: Lyme's tests -- originally negative and now positive from Igenix -- may be interesting. I was test for Lymes many months ago, but not by Igenix.

Thanks,

Ed

[Affler]

Originally Posted by EHorst99

My first numbness feelings showed up on the tips of my toes almost exactly one year ago.

In the last 5 weeks, it's gone from foot pain and that "fuzzy socks feeling" at my ankle to foot pain (largely handled by gabapentin) to the fuzzy socks feeling almost all the way to my knee. Almost 12 inches of "progression" in not much more than a month.

How does this compare to you?

And, my earlier question, does it ever stop?

Thanks,

Ed

My first visit to my GP was because both of my feet and legs went completely numb below the knees and my arms and hands had limited sensation below the elbows. I thought that I may have pinched nerves because it came on within 1 week. Years of testing for MS, ALS, CIDP, and brain tumors were negative, so then it was "in my head" despite frequent falls, foot drop and extensive damages shown on EMG. I did not get a Lymes diagnosis until almost 4 years after the onset of symptoms and have had it now for 11 years. I have relapses that further destroy my nervous system, no cure is known and so far no treatment has been helpful. My suggestion to is pursue a diagnosis and get the labs and studies to back up your symptoms because if the MD doesn't know what it is, they may blow you off until it is too late to reverse the damage (like in my case). Good Luck!

[amit]

My neurologist sugested that this can be a type of light GBS or toxic - if it progress very quickly - and then stop and start to improve. You need time. in my case it was like this - but now, 3 years after onset I start to feel improvment. no pain, no burning, and so.
So, eat well, take vitamines and think possitively.