Injury resulting in neuropathy
 

Hey Everyone,

I'm new here and taking a look around. Read a few humorous posts which is nice but I know a neuropathy isn't the funniest thing to deal with.

I guess I was wondering if anyone developed PN after an injury. I messed up my feet about 3 years ago pretty bad. Damaged a bunch of tendons, ligaments and so fourth and developed arthritis. I did notice some burning pain in my feet sometime afterwards but it wasn't severe. Well about 6 months ago I got the flaming feet going on and it seemed like it went crazy. Now they burn constantly and I'm starting to have some problems in my hands and arms.

I was injured on the job and now the insurance company is going to screw with me on the neuropathy and say it's not related to the initial injuries I had with my feet. They sent me to a pain doctor and he says he's never heard of a neuropathy resulting from an injury. Sure.

Just wanted to say hello and get any thoughts or opinions.

fadedone

Hello Fadedone, I wish you every success though, you might have some battle ahead, proving it, they will try and wriggle out every time. In my case I am trying to prove that my currrent sciatica which started after a fall at work, is NOT related to a previous back problem that was resolved over 7 years ago, so the other way around to you and I am SO frustrated now 2 1/2 years later . . . . I would just do as much internet research as you can and hope that people on here can advise you.
Take care and the best of luck.

sounds more like RSD to me.....

There are many kinds of neuropathy. Don't let the doctors mess with you about that. They KNOW how many kinds there are!

RSD is also a neuropathy, but more of the sympathetic nervous system instead of sensory neuron misfiring, like typical PN.

I considered RSD as well and someone I saw also mentioned it. At this point the burning is mostly in my feet and my fingers and arms feel weird, kind of like I hit my funny bone. I'm 99% convinced it's related to the initial injuries I had to my feet. I haven't even gone for any tests to rule out anything else although I am scheduled for a nerve study. I almost feel like I have to sit here and wait around to see how it progresses. I haven't read about or heard much in terms of treatment for PN or RSD. I kind of gave up and stopped caring for a long time but I'm trying to change my attitude.

Helen I'm sorry you got hurt on the job as well and have to deal with all the nonsense they put you through. The worker's comp system is a complete disgrace but I'll save that for another forum. Good luck and I'm here to talk more if you like.

Thanks everyone else for replying.

fadedone

Hi I have RSD and PN. If it is RSD and I think for PN too it is very important to get early dx and then to treat it. For PN if you can find out the why this happend like lets say it was not from the injury but from something else if you can find the why and treat that it can help the PN. If it is RSD it is important to treat it with proper meds and other treatments asap because it can spread and worsen without. When is your emg? Do you have any other symptoms? I did not have an injury though that is what I thought I had cause when my pain happened I had been very active so went to the orthopedic doc but nothing showed up as an injury so when my pain kept increasing that is when I was refered ot a neurologist and other specialites. I am not saying you have PN from an injury or not but what I will say is I have had many doctors say to me that it is not typical in someone like me but yet it still happened. So it may not be common but it could be possible. Not sure if I am making sense. I hope you get some answers

Faedodne,
You need to see a neurologist that specializes in PN, for a second opinion.
Not just any neurologist, but one who has many PN patients that are happy with their treatment. Most neuros are as clueless as this pain doc.

Hi Fadedone,
 

I'm so sorry you are in this 'catch-22', and WorkComp to boot.

One of my first thoughts was wondering if you'd respond to a SNB (spinal nerve block) Injection to determine if your condition involves the sympathetic nerve chain, BUT I've also seen many cases of RSD Spread once you start getting into the more invasive diagnostic procedures....

On one hand you're wise to 'procede with caution', yet on the other, if it IS RSD, you want to tx it asap, as the others mentioned.

I pray you find a specialized Dr who will target both of these conditions without giving you the 'runaround'.
Have you had any recent bloodwork done as a starting point to rule out autoimmune issues ....
Thyroid ok?

Caring
Rae
:hug:

I really haven't done much to try and figure this out yet. I went to this podiatrist I know but he doesn't specialize in treating any kind of neurological disorder. He referred me to someone else but they wouldn't accept someone without insurance. I applied to this hospital for financial aid and I'm waiting to hear about that and if it's approved I'll have the podiatrist refer me to a specialist. I'll have to see if I can find out if they have someone who specializes in PN.

I started reading some different things about it when the burning got really bad but then I drifted off into the abyss. Coming here has woken me up a little and hopefully I can find a good doctor. There was a support group for RSD in a city not too far away and maybe I can contact someone and get some ideas about which doctors to see in my area.

Thanks for listening

fadedone.