A year of Neuropathy Symptoms & Few Answers
 

A year ago, I suddenly started experiencing neuropathy type symptoms such as pins, needles, burning, minor pain or pressure pain (e.g. thumb pressing on a smartphone), chronic back itch, and random numb feelings - from head to toe but primarily felt in the hands and feet. The intensity varies considerably from day to day and while it's extremely aggravating & anxiety-inducing, it's not physically debilitating or even all that painful.

Over the past year, I've had every conceivable test (NCS/EMG, Brain MRI w contrast, xrays (neck, feet, hands), auto-immune, several blood sugar tests, stress test / holter monitor, sleep study). All the tests and studies were normal with the exception of a deficiency of Vitamin D and low B12. Addressing the vitamin deficiencies seemed to temporarily reduce the intensity but even with my D & B12 being normal now for the past 4-5 months, the symptoms continue. I'm using a host of supplements and topical treatments (e.g. Benfotiamine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Gaba etc.) and I recently got a Rx for Amitriptyline that does seem to reduce or dull the pins/needles/burning nerve sensations but doesn't restore normal sensation.

So with the neurologist saying I don't have any "neurophysiologic" evidence of neuropathy, is it possible I have something else going on? I've even tried a psychologist who offered up breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques which help are beneficial in that sense and calm anxiety but don't actually stop the neuropathy symptoms.

From those with experience, I'd appreciate insights or suggestions.

Some symptoms like other here sound to me like some kind of a allergic reaction. Did anything in your life routine change a year ago(food/location/job/etc)?

A deep(as if in the spine) center of the back itch(that cannot be satisfied by scratching) is one of my hay fever full on attack symptoms. Those are accompanied by numbness on the scalp w/itching there and surface spots of itching all over, wheezing, red face, itching of the roof of the mouth and the usual sneezing and runny nose. It all goes away after taking Benadril or other over the counter meds.

My PN symptoms are nothing like my allergy symptoms, isolated to my feet(so far), so no help to you there.

Interesting you mention that. A few months ago, I was given an Rx for Loratadine related to an eye allergy condition and while I can't say it had any effect on the neuropathy symptoms (very variable), I have noticed an increased intensity since I stopped taking Loratadine. The OTC Benadril is worth a shot but I don't have any other allergy symptoms besides the eye condition and I haven't moved or changed jobs. Appreciate the response.

Google Loratadine and search it's side effects. Find out everything you can about it and see if you find a link to your symptoms.

Over my life I have taken a boat load of that stuff among others, so pointing a finger at it for me won't work.

Ugh....:

Loratadine Side Effects in Detail - Drugs.com

Look at nervous symptom......"paresthesia"...never heard of it, but man does it "fit".

Appreciate that although my symptoms started long before I ever took Loratadine or any antihistamines. The problem with Google is you can find seemingly contrary information to claim that other antihistamines (like Benadryl) may provide relief.

OP: I've been off all antihistimes for well over 23 yrs since I found Pycnogenol and then Grape Seed Extract a year later. I love NOT taking those pharma drugs. I've talked a lot about Grape Seed Extract here and why not work with it for your issues... Do a search of all the info on Grape Seed Extract here.

Similar symptoms
 

Hi Mark
Reading your post...i can definitely relate,symptoms are very similar..ive been dealing with this for the past 6 months with no answers..how did iypur symptoms start was it a sudden onset or a gradual one.

Thanks, I'll definitely try that as I've tried numerous supplments such as Billberry, Lutein, Cinnanon, Chromium, etc. While difficult to pin-point, I'd say I've have the best results with Alpha-Lipoic Acid & GABA. I only use the Amitriptyline as needed when the sensory symptoms are particularly intense.

It was sudden but a year before I had the full body senory symptoms, I developed a chronic itch on the small of my back and it was diagnosed as Notalgia Paresthetica.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the nerve symptoms (pins, needles, burning, numbness etc), the location of symptoms, and intensity are variable & eposodic. For example, the last few days, the senory symptoms are little noticeable and I don't need any meds but last week the symptoms were bad enough to need the Amitriptyline. The doc tells me that's not typical of PN. Also, while my symptoms tend to be most felt in hands & feet, they can occur anywhere including the scalp and back, and that I had a brain MRI.

Hi Mark I've inboxed you