what exactly does "Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy" mean?
 

Okay, so I'm totally new to this thread, and super confused. I started having sciatica issues the weekend before Christmas in 2011.

I was put on bedrest and given medications, and referred to an orthopedic dr, who spent 6 months finding out absolutely nothing. (Mri of my lumbar was normal except for very mild lumbar stenosis and scoliosis. The weird part was 3 years prior to this, he told me I had a degenerated disc in my L5-S1, but now says it's "fine?") He's never even examined me. I've never pointed out my pain location to him, he literally stands in the doorway for every appointment. I'm ******. He also made me fill out a form and highlight and underline paperwork that promised that I wouldn't sell or misuse the medication he was giving me. Way to make me feel like a drug addict.

Anyway, I begged for a neurology consult. Got one. Did a nerve conduction test, and pretty much failed everything on it. Conclusion of the test suggests "sensorimotor polyneuropathy and possible L5-S1 radiculopathy."

The biggest problem is that I went from having sciatica (which presented as just a mild burning sensation and lower back pain) to near constant electric throbbing in my entire right leg, both arms, and now my face. It's been 8 months, and now my entire right side is affected, and I can't get 3 doctors to communicate with me or each other.

I'm in so much pain, constantly. I drag my right foot, limp, I wake up PARALYZED a couple nights a week, I get shocked in the face when I'm eating or talking. I smell burnt rubber or cat urine instead of yummy cooking smells (yes, I feel crazy about this, but i'm positive that it's neurological.) and I keep getting super dizzy. Also, my inflammation rate was 85 last time I was tested, and my cortisol levels were very low. I've had my thyroid removed several years back, and my levels are *normal,* if that means anything to anyone

I have three babies that I love, and a husband I cherish. I'm only 23, and most days I bite people's heads off because I'm so cranky and in so much pain, I can't handle it.

Does this sound like MS to anyone? Or anything else? What exactly is periphreal neuropathy? Is it sensorimotor neuropathy? If I sound like an idiot, it's because I'm so confused. I was thinking I had lupus or arthritis and now it's in a whole different ballpark.

From what I was told, there are two major areas of the nerves that are affected by damage, the part that's 'sensory', or feels things on the surface, and 'motor', which affects the actual activity the nerves control. I basically have sensory neuropathy, my reflexes are intact, etc. I don't drag my foot, for instance. But it hurts like a **. The only thing I'm grateful for is that my neuropathy does not affect my motor control. At least not yet. But **it hurts, just like everyone else's. I don't know much about MS, so I can't speak to that. Best of luck. You're in the right place.

Brue

word of encouragement
 

I do not know hon, but you are a hell of a fighter and you keep fighting. I can tell by your voice that you are a special person and you'll find yourself in all of this and keep getting stronger and wiser. :hug: facing chains:hug::hug:

You really need--
 

--to get a workup at a tertiary center that specializes in neuromuscular diseases.

As regards that lumbar disc problem, it certainly could explain sciatic symptoms, but not what's going on in the rest of your body. (And yes, it is possible for bulging or even herniated disc material to heal and be reabsorbed in time, resulting in reduction of compression on nerves.) But if you are having symptoms above the level of the lower back/leg you need to have a more thorough investigation done, and yes, they need to MRI your bran and spinal cord to look for diseases of the central nervous system, such as MS, as well as test you for conditions of the peripheral nervous system (that which is outside the brain and spinal cord).

There are many autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, that can secondarily lead to neurological symptoms, either through direct autoimmune attack on nerves or nerve compression.

And sensorimotor is just a way of describing what modalities are affected--when they put "sensori" in front of "motor" it's a way of designating that both sensory and motor symptoms are involved, but that the former are greater than the latter. (One could also have autonomic involvement.)

I've been tested for lupus and RA, and myasthenia gravis, and a whole bunch of other stuff when I was a kid. I had issues back then, that stumped everybody. Never saw a neurologist though.

Is "sensorimotor polyneuropathy" a diagnosis or a symptom of something bigger? Should I expect to do more digging?

And would MS show up on a lower spine MRI or just a brain scan/spinal cord mri? Does it show up weird in any blood tests? Would a CT scan show it?

I just realized that I was dx with gluten sensitivity 4 months ago. I don't know/think it's Celiac because the rest of my testing was negative except for the "anti-gliadin antibodies" test. Could it still be Celiac causing these issues? Do I need to opt for a biopsy or just go ahead and cut gluten 100%?

I'm feeling kind of cranky with all of this. I'm 23. This shouldn't be happening.

Sensorimotor neuropathy--
 

--is used as a diagnostic category by doctors for insurance purposes, but it is descriptive only; the term doesn't indicate cause, just symptom pattern.

You probably should expect to do more digging--maybe even into possible hereditary neuropathy syndromes, if you've had troubles for a long time, even back into childhood.

And yes, gluten sensitivity/celiac can be a cause of neuropathy. The Cornell Weill and Johns Hopkins medical centers, along with a number of European researchers, have been at the forefront of research into this. A positive anti-gliadin test does indicate you are making antibodies to gluten proteins. You should probably look at database known as The Gluten File:

https://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/

It's unlikely a CT scan would show MS lesions of the brain and spinal cord; MRI is better for imaging soft tissues such as those. And sometimes clues to MS can be found in analysis of spinal fluid, or as the result of evoked potential testing. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have MRI's of brain and spinal cord done on sensitive MRI machines if you haven't already.

Yes, you should cut out gluten. Gliadin has the ability to penetrate your digestive tract, and spill toxins directly into your bloodstream. You name a condition, this makes it worse.
Read the latest research on this; unfortunately your doctors usually don't. Glenntaj's recommendations on testing the central nervous system are good; it it's all negative, the it's the gluten. The recommendation on the gluten file site is a good one. I recommend the book, Wheat Belly" by William Davis; it's written in plain English, but references the latest medical research.
Living a gluten-free lifestyle is not easy; I discovered wheat protein in my shampoo! But being vigilant and determined is far better than the pain and fear that accompany waiting around for doctors to decide what to do.