Neuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis?
 

So I am currently on nothing but OTC anti inflammatory medications because many of the medications my doctor was prescribing either made me sick or just wasn't doing all that much. I would love to keep going back to him but its very expensive to see him. I got diagnosed about 8 years ago and I noticed this in the last couple years but its gotten worse. My whole body gets pins and needle or pinching/biting sensations especially at night. Though its all day long, I guess I just notice it more during the night when I'm at rest and they keep me from sleeping. I notice mostly in my scalp, arms, legs, and back. Any ideas on what to do about this? Its getting aggravating not being able to sleep as much as I need or relax comfortably on breaks because of this.

My personal opinion is that there is a link between RA and PN but it is just my own opinion. I think the inflamation is the key link that can cause it, but it is a theory of mine nothing else.

I believe inflamation plays a large role with some PN and I am working on inflamation.

Yes, there can be PN with RA.

Hi

Do you live in the US ? Do you have any type of medical insurance? What kind of specialist did you see, and did a neurologist or rheumatologist diagnose the neuropathy? What kind of medicine were you on for the neuropathy symptoms?
The OTC antiinflamatory meds etc. probably will not help that much for the burning neuropathy, but will help the inflamatory arthritis pain.
( this is just my "take" on it)
There are antidepressant medication that works well on nerve pain. And also antiseizure medication. They are all prescription meds.
There are OTC creams that might help.

Mrs D. will be able to mention a list of supplements and topical OTC creams
that will help with the pain.

It would be good, and very important, if you could find a good neuromuscular specialist doctor to fallow you and help you with the neuropathy symptoms.

Did you have diagnostic tests like EMG NCS and punch skin biopsy? The burning sensation you mentioned, could be symptoms of (and most likely) Small Fiber Neuropathy.

All the best wishes for you.
Synnove.

How serendipitous! Yes, it's more than just opinion, as we're discussing in the other thread: Osteopenia & osteoporosis?

Just goggle arthritis peripheral neuropathy ;)

Doc

Yes, Dr. Smith who isn't a medical doctor, I had looked at the site and a few others. But I did not list them. Thought about it but did not. Thought about mentioning the other thread where it is discussed but did not.

Some of the biological injections for RA...come to mind as potential nerve damaging agents...

Enbrel and
Humira:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...ve-damage.html

An oral agent not used as much today, is also implicated:
Arava.

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.o...3/7/934.1.long

I would think that nerves very close to affected inflamed joints would possibly also be affected by the inflammatory process of RA. It can be hard to separate out arthritis pain from nerve pain... I have that problem now myself.

Do u have insurance? If so do you need a referral? If possible it is a good idea to see a neurologist. While your waiting see your GP and have some blood work ordered. If you have not already had them done recently they should order B12, mag, B6, and Vit D. That's what I can think of right now but others may have more suggestions.

Also, if you use a lot of OTC NSAIDS you may want to have your renal function tested. Only if you use a lot.

Your symptoms do sound like small fiber neuropathy but try not to worry too much. Have all the testing done first. It may be something that can be taken care of easily likeB 12 deficiency. Plus worrying makes the symptoms worse.

Keep us posted. Hopeful

Just made a post about this--
 

--in another thread, with some links:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread201649-3.html

But neuropathy is definitely something that happens with rheumatoid arthritis, and can happen with any of the autoimmune vascultic/connective tissue disorders.