Neuropathy and low IgM are they connected?
 

My apologies for the long posting:

I have been suffering with neuropathy type symptoms for over a year. I have constant tingling/burning in my feet, shins and forearms. The neurologist first diagnosed me with peripheral neuropathy, but the tests (skin and nerve conductivity tests) were all negative as well as the muscle tests were normal.

The neurologist concluded that I had post viral syndrome because my symptoms started after I had the flu. I was prescribed an anti-viral drug (Amantadine) that seemed to work until I got the flu a second time in December. I took two more courses of amantadine for a month at a time. This time, my neuropathy didn't improve and it has gotten progressively worse. I'm taking 1,600mg of gabapentin a day and it doesn't help.

Since I had gotten the flu twice in one year I sought the help of an immunologist. It turns out that I have low Igm. (IgG and IgA are normal). My serotypes are also not responding.

Has anyone found a connection with low immune response and neuropathy?

I'm also wondering if I should have the neurologist repeat some of the tests.

OP: I don't know if they are connected and HOPE someone here will respond to your question. Looking at last 2 yrs of labs doc doesn't even do this test.

I deal with neuropathy from hip replacement surgery 10 yrs ago and knee infection 4 yrs ago and DO NOT get flu or colds...BUT I do keep my immune system strong. Do you work on this for you.

I believe yrs of Grape Seed Extract have done wonders, and also Vit C, D and Zinc...

I've talked a lot about Inosine which I take daily for the burn/tingle. But I have had to learn to live with the damage from the replacement.....sad but the truth.

Gabapentin I would not take, work to stay away from the pharma drugs, so many cause more damage.

Can' help you but hopefully someone will be able to.

Kitt

This may not be relevant but it might be worth discussing this long and fairly technical paper with the neurologist and immunologist you have seen.

Monoclonal Gammopathy Associated Peripheral Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Management

Kiwi, thank you for the link. After some perseverance, I managed to get through the article. It is interesting because it is opposite of what I have in a way. I’ll still send the article to both specialists.