Peripheral neuropathy
 

I'm in my early thirties previously pretty healthy and 7 months ago I started getting a tiny pricking in my small toe. It would only occur occasionally and especially when having a hot bath. I naturally wasn't in the least bit concerned, and I never imagined I would be in the state I'm in currently. I don't remember exactly when but at some point, things began to worsen fairly rapidly. Within about 2 months, both feet began to tingle and this was only when walking and taking baths. It continued to progress and the paresthesia has gone up the calves, the thighs and now arms and hands bilaterally and even the genitals feel numb. I also get frequent pins and needles in either leg, the scalp or arms.

That is not the end of it. My whole body recently stopped producing sweat and I have severe heat intolerance.

The other symptom which I believe could be related Is that for the past three years, I have had mildly swollen and painful lymph nodes on mostly the upper body which would fluctuate.

It's as if my immune system has reacted to something and has stayed reactive all this time. Although the nerve pain only began several months ago, whereas the lymph node issues began three years ago.

The bottom line is, I am in hell. The pain has spread and is increasing in frequency, duration and intensity. The heat intolerance has made me housebound. The loss of sweat is probably permanent. Doctors have never seen anything like it.

At some point I'm not going to be willing or able to cope with this. I don't like thinking of death but I feel that will be my only option at that point.

Anybody have any clues on this?

Good morning jimkh from Georgia
 

You are so young and there seems to be so many REASONS for all this neuropathy I read about, from drugs to surgeries, to accidents etc etc.

I have some which has come on after a hip replacement at 72 and I ended up with more arthritis from the surgery and advancing OA anyway. But I believe the surgery pushed it even more so into OA. I'm 79 now.

A friend with a lot of years of neuropathy from statin drugs and lot of side effects from gabapentin, is off the drug and getting some nice relief with Grape Seed Extract which I can't say enough FOR SO MUCH of our health issues. I'm taking it over 22 yrs.

I'm still awaiting nerve conduction tests and blood tests.


But I.did have a blood test when this began which came up with nothing abnormal.

My vitamin d is on the low side. 31nmol/L.

Doubt that is the cause

Please don't think of doing this. Take it from someone that was there mentally about 5 years ago. I do have Peripheral Neuropathy but I had a failed attempt at suicide because of having Trigeminal Neuralgia. Thank god someone found me before it was too late.

Just hang in there until you find a treatment that will help you feel better physically. I know it sucks to have PN and I'm going through it too but I just take one day at a time and see how it goes. I have problems with my feet, legs, forearms and hands. but thankfully I don't have the non-sweating problem.

Please stay with us and believe me when I tell you that ending your life is not the solution. Just think about how this will affect your family and friends.

Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better.

Never lose a hope. Many times the illnesses come and go by themselves.Your situation may also stabilize one day. Or there can be some new treatment found for your problem. Too many possibilities and many of them quite positive.

P.S. What surprises me is that ,with all your symptoms, you did not accomplish any serious health checks until now.