[thbaxon]

I have had axonal peripheral neuropathy for about 25 years. I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Cause is unknown and there was no treatment or cure. I worked in construction, oil refinery,3M chemical plant and waste treatment plant. I think my neuropathy was caused by toxins. Anybody with a similar situation or advice please contact me.

[echoes long ago]

i have a similiar axonal peripheral neuropathy caused by toxins for 11 years now. i dont know what your symptoms are or what you have tried so there isnt much i can comment on about it. Its not going away for me and has steadily progressed to the point that my last neurologist appointment about 2 weeks ago, when the neurologist did the pin test and vibration test for sensation i felt absolutely nothing below the knee. didnt even know when he was touching it or not. my eyes were closed. definite downturn from last year when i could feel somethings dully on the upper calf. its been steadily getting worse. My legs and feet are numb but yet painful. my hands are numb to a lesser degree but not painful in itself but if i bang them or smack them or try to open something, the pain response is greatly exaggerated.

[amit]

I worked in a lab. for many years. got my neuropathy 7 years ago.

[malawigirl08]

I was a Chemistry Teacher but can't find any specific chemical link . I also have ideopathic axonal peripheral neuropathy which is getting progressively worse.

[mrsD]

I worked my way thru college by working in the chem labs!
5 years! An old chem building with old hoods. I did work in printmaking in my mid 20's in an old art school with NO hoods.
I dropped silk screening early in the semester due to fumes making me ill. Most of the fumes in printmaking were from mineral spirits. The silkscreening however was Xylene. I've never understood if any of this was instrumental or actually causitive for me. I tend to focus on my thyroid, as that was actually something that could be tested for. I was never in those labs/rooms for long periods or every day for example.

But my PN didn't start until I was around 30-31. It progressed in my feet first, then my hands, and crested at 34-35, when I became pregnant.

It resolved for the most part, when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism finally (I think I had this all along). My hands are mostly good, but I protect them from severe activities, and wear a wrist brace some times. Sewing is often still painful for me. My feet improved the most with the thyroid treatment.

[029anser]

could chronic exposure to "low level" carbon monoxide (a known neurotoxin) cause axonal neuropathy?

[mrsD]

Originally Posted by 029anser

could chronic exposure to "low level" carbon moxoxide (a known neurotoxin) cause axonal neuropathy?

This paper says....rare:
http://www.neurology.org/content/20/2/177.extract

But you know anything that reduces oxygen to the tissues, is suspect. Poor circulation is one thing that reduces oxygen to the tissues. Axonal, can also be autoimmune and those antibodies also attack the axon typically.

Just look at the faces/skin of people who smoke. They often look much older than they are because of the chronic monoxide in cigarette smoke.

I'd say most toxins do damage to us one way or another.

Most of what I found on a quick search just now, discusses acute poisoning with monoxide.

This paper is more specific and newer... suggesting some demyelination for subacute exposures:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21242286