Am I developing HNPP?
 

I am hoping some posters out there with experience in HNPP can help me with this question.

My symptoms began in mid-Frebruary 2014, starting out as tingling in the toes that has progressed to painful numbness. The numbness seems to be well controlled by both b-12 and ALA supplements.

In addition to the numbness, I also am experiencing intermittent weakness in my left leg, around the area behind my knee. At first I thought that the weakness had no rhyme or reason to it, but I am starting to suspect that it is my daily walks (50 minutes or so) that are exacerbating it.

In addition, I am noticing that certain parts of my body are going numb when I lie in bed at night. Last night I awoke to realize that the pinky fingers and ring fingers in both hands were numb, which would suggest ulnar nerve entrapment/irritation, yeah? In general, my arms have become quite susceptible to falling asleep when I'm in bed, whether it's when I'm lying on my stomach propping my torso up with my arms so I can do work or when I'm just trying to sleep.

I have never heard of a single person in my family suffering from anything remotely like HNPP, but I have heard that there are those who develop this hereditary form of neuropathy who also have no counterparts in their family history.

So my question is, are these symptoms typical of neuropathy in general, or are they suggestive of HNPP? Many thanks for whatever input you folks might be able to give. I have an appointment with a neuro-muscular specialist in a few days, so hopefully I can get some answers soon.

Hi Hanshan
 

I know about the ulnar nerve. I have that going on in my right arm. There is a sport tape I think called Kenessis tape. Can be purchased on line. My son is a PT. There is a way to put this on, to where the muscle over the nerve is gently pulled. The nerve gets less testy in time. I have used this for two months. Last night did without, and had no numbness at all. You will have to look it up on line to see how this particular nerve is taped. I didn't believe it could work, but I am desperate not to have another surgery. The tape feels fantastic on, and the nerve doesn't act up. You may want to try this and see if it works for you. Keep in touch. ginnie:grouphug:

I should add that I had a case of drop foot in the left leg in the fall of 2011 that resolved itself when I stopped crossing my legs. Could be significant.

Crossing the legs too much...and or using ottomans wrong, when too much pressure is localized on the back of the knee will compress things.

These are axonal areas...so using some supplements to repair myelin might really help...Fish oil is important for this along with folate and B12, and magnesium.

Here is the HNPP site and it is full of information.

http://www.hnpp.org/

A good neurologist should be able to help you.

Anyone know whether or not there is such a thing as an acquired pressure palsy? Thanks for everyone whose shared info, by the way.

Absolutely--
 

--in that, technically, "acquired pressure palsies" are simply another name for compressive neuropathies, which are very common, with or without other associated systemic conditions.

There are several parts of the human body that, simply due to our anatomy, are very prone to compressive effects. The most obvious are the cervical and lumbar spinal nerve roots--the legacy of walking erect--but the wrist and ankle, the back of the knee, the outer hip, and the pudendal area are all places through which important nerve tracts pass through very small spaces and are highly prone to getting compressed.

Those people with the genetic profiles that lead to HNPP are simply that much more prone to having this happen--and in many parts of the body besides these.