newly diagnosed with PN
 

Hi, This is my first post ever in my life and I look forward to learning more about PN. My first question is : when do I believe the diagnosis is correct. My numb toes began this summer and the only thing I could think that caused it was the antidepressant/anxiety meds I was on. I am not diabetic, and never drink or smoke. I plan on finding a new doc because she is so positive in her diagnosis but only did a pin prick test and blood draw. Once the shock wore off I went back and after begging, she did a lower spine x-ray and tomorrow I will have an EMG. She doesnt understand why I would want to see a neuro since they cant help me. I would assume if anything there would be some tests to at least rule out stuff. By the way I am not on any meds anymore and have started a laundry list of supplements like:
Benfotiamine, B12, lipoic acid, evening primrose, wheat grass tabs, b-complex, vitamin D, and Iron because of low ferritin. I am overweight, but have lost 20 pounds hoping diet and weight loss will help. I also was wondering if a cleanse/detox might be helpful in case it is from meds or other toxins? Not sure if it means anything, but after being born premature I had to have many corrective foot surgeries as a baby up till age 8. Sorry to ramble on, but my head is so full things to say.
Thank you !!!!

Foot surgeries? I had a complex surgery on my left instep when I was 12 to remove a tumor. That foot always gives me problems, with ankle swelling and pain when I take one of my blood pressure pills which can cause dependent edema. The other foot is not affected. The medication is a calcium channel blocker. I am sure the swelling is part of it. Surgery disrupts the lymph channels and I think that foot is prone to slower lymph return than my right foot which does not swell. Without the medication that foot is still a bit larger than the other, but it doesn't hurt as much.

Also foot issues can come from hypothyroidism. That is how my PN started 30 yrs ago.

Do all your toes hurt equally? or only certain ones. I have a dermatome chart here to show you which nerves in the back affect which part of the feet:
http://www.apparelyzed.com/dermatome.html

thank you Mrs. D
I have numbness under the pads of all toes and the bottom of the left heel. It is more noticable upon standing. The left foot (which had more surgeries) always has the same numbness, but the right foot has moments of less numbness that comes and goes. I dont have any pain just the numbness. The numbness also has traveled up the inner calf and knee area. My legs dont seem to have the energy that they used to. I have had sciatica in the left side before which I think might be because my left leg might be shorter than the other. That is how I convinced the Dr. to give me and exray of the lower spine. The doctor said the test was fine and only age related stuff, what ever that means. I'm 43 by the way. I do get some swelling in the left foot/ankle when I am on my feet alot, but I quess it has always been normal to me after all these years. I did the TSH test in april which was 1.25 and in Dec. it was 2.82 All the blood test came up normal, except low ferritin for which I am taking Iron. I just started seeing an accupuncturist and she mentioned injecting the scare tissue with something (not sure why or what that means) Like I said I have an EMG test tomorrow and then I want to find a new primary doc who is easier to deal with. Any suggestions of anything I should try or talk to my doctor about would be very helpful.

When I had my left foot surgery, it left me with a numb instep for many years. It all grew back eventually. Took many years to do so.

Numb means no feeling. Many of the PNers here have feeling, only "wrong" intense signaling. You may develop pain, if the nerves start to regrow.

Hey. I am not an expert like Mrs D but some thoughts based on my experiences. I am assuming this is a neuro who is doing the emg? If so I would ask about an mri of the brain and spine. Unfortunatly I have seen 3 internists through this and both have done nothing for me and are clueless about neuropathy it seems. Have you looked into other conditions like auto immune? I am not a fan of detox diets. I think and people can correct me if I am wrong but I think it is important to find a healthy lifestyle ou can commit to. You stated you have already lost weight so that is on the right track. It takes time unfortuantly I think for supplements and diet to help improve things. Also I am a rare case I developed this at 28 with none of the usual things being a factor. Have you thought of going on some meds to help with pain and the weak? Ok sorry this is all over. Hang in there and I hope the emg goes smooth

Hi Daniella,
I had the EMG yesterday and the MD that did the procedure said that everything looks fine. I'm glad on one hand, but was looking for answers. I guess I should be glad that I dont have any pain, just numbness and leg fatigue. I'm committed to getting healthy and its just sad that it took this PN thing for me to get serious. I have an HMO and I need to find another primary doctor, because mine doesn't seem to understand why I want to see a neuro. So I guess the search is on so I can at least get things eliminated or a diagnosis I can trust and believe. Thank you for your response and concern

My Nerve conduction study showed some minor discrepancy but nothing definitive. A skin biopsy is what gave me a firm diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy. My understanding is that SFN or peripheral neuropathy can really only be diagnosed through skin biopsy. This is where the nerve fibers are stained and counted in a given area. Here is a site that describes the test:

http://www.therapath.com/Why_perform.php

Best of luck in finding your answer.

Mere