First Doctor's Visit
 

I have my first appointment with Doctor tomorrow--this neuropathy is new to me--just got it a few weeks ago out of nowhere, although I was taking Flagyl, which in RARE circumstances, can cause neuropathy. The weird thing is--the pain didn't start until I had stopped the Flagyl (on it for 6 weeks).

Any particular questions I should ask? I've just joined this forum today--so I'm going to try and get as informed as possible.

Hi Brand!

Welcome! Good luck tomorrow.

Kelly

Flagyl
 

Hi, sorry about the PN... flagyl is a common cause of PN - and docs know it - they need to do testing right away (see the stickies at the top of the thread) to see if there is some other cause - or if they can pin it to the flagyl... when I first got PN it was moderate - then had six months of flagyl and vancoyomcin - my nerves were gone after the infection and anti-b's were done, I felt it then and tests confirmed it two weeks later - I dont know at that point if they could have done anything to change the damage - but lots of drugs can cause PN and unfortunately sometimes are the only drug of choice...

Wishing you a thorough workup!

First Appointment Over
 

Just finished appointment--was pretty straightforward really. He did some kind of preliminary screen/test by testing my reflexes, using a tuning fork, pushing my toes up and down, and pricking me with a safety pin.

The scary part was when he asked me to close my eyes and stand up. I was very dizzy--and didn't even realize this before. He had me do the sobriety test--one foot in front of the other, and I failed that as well. I was very surpised! The dizzyness, he said, could be the neuropathy--or the Lyrica, which just today, I have finally made it to my "regular" dose of 200mg in the morning and 200mg in the evening. Perhaps it was the Lyrica, because I don't remember being dizzy at all lately.

I could feel when he moved my toes up and down, and my reflexes were good. However, I didn't do great on the tuning fork test, and I couldn't feel the safety pin pricks AT ALL. That kind of scared me, as well.

So next Tuesday I'm having an EMG done. He said because of the intense pain, but that I didn't have alot of numbness (which I thought I had), it could be a particular kind of NP--which I can't remember the name of. Basically it has very little if any numbness, but lots of intense pain.

I guess I'll find out more on Tuesday!

Thanks for your support guys.

Hi. I have no numbness but lots of pain. I have had 2 emg/nc ssep. I have pn but my pain is rsd I guess. I could though feel those pins. Did the neuro say anything about that? I am not sure cause when I first developed this I had a lot of dizzy so to speak but it has lessened. No one knew if it was from the meds or my issues. Well I hope you get some answers and the emg goes as well as can be but you can get some answers and relief. Have you had an mri? Maybe if not ask about that as well.

No I haven't had an MRI, and I'm pretty sure the dizzyness is from the upping the dose of Lyrica to 200mg twice a day, just started that today. About the pins--no, I didn't feel them--and so I thought that would count as "numbness"--but the doctor said at the end of the appointment, that "since you don't appear to have any numbness...". I'll ask him about that on Tuesday.

I imagine the EMG isn't fun?

The EMG--
 

--and associated nerve conduction studies, are not pleasant, but they don't have to be majorly unpleasant, either. A lot depends on the skill of the technician/doctor doing the testing and placing the electrodes.

One thing--don't be surprised if it turns up basically normal and the doctors look at you baffled. You can casually mention that you wonder if you have a predominantly small-fiber syndrome. EMG/nerve conduction studies cannot measure the response of the smaller, thinly myelinated or unmyelinated fibers that subsume the sensations of pain and temperature; they only can measure the responsiveness of larger, myelinated fibers.

The reason I mention this is given your symptoms of pain and not numbness, and your report of dizziness, but good reflexes, it is likely you have a small-fiber component. The small fibers also control autonomic response, and problems with that can produce orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure), often felt as dizziness (especially upon rising). There can be disruptions with sweat responses as well. It usually takes more specialized testing to pinpoint these, though.

Interesting--I've been sweating irregularly a lot, but attributed it to the narcotics.

Thanks for your informative post--and yes, I think that's what the doc said "small fiber" something or other.

Hi Brand,

I'm glad the appt went well. I had the NCV done and I didn't find it too too bad. Have not had the EMG though. Good luck on Tuesday.

Kelly

Well I had my EMG test. He said there was no damage--and that my readings were all within "Normal" range--though he said they were at the very low end of the normal range. He suggest I talk to my pain doctor about upping my Lyrica dosage.