Originally Posted by Mark56

What a ride..... the good, the bad, the ugly and that awful tune one may whistle.......

Tests pretty much done.

Well Gerry, the EMG was conclusive I do not have peripheral neuropathy while those very same legs absolutely have radicular neuropathy, the reason I have the stim and it works so very well as distinguished from James situation. The explanation the super expert gave me yesterday [and I mean this in all sincerity, as he is also a gentle soul] was while nerve fibers may regenerate [emphasis on may], in a horrific situation of nerve injury, the connector plates which must reintegrate the fibers into the system do not regenerate resulting in something akin to an electrical extension cord all laid out straight and not plugged into the electrical source. Funtionality is nada. Thus, my lumbar and thighs burn like hades if stim is off as it had to be for the EMG because its signal did interfere, AND my lower legs are numb as a mouth following the proverbial dentist visit for a root canal while STILL feeling that burning fire going on in the "stocking feet" area. This is why I could be bleeding from a foot which had no sensation of the glass which was protruding from it the other night.

The right arm, it is a "lost cause" for pretty much the same reason as the legs with prolific nerve damage. Three surgeries, and declining strength, declining tactile capability, while hurting to beat the band, all the result of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome..... nerves gone crazy. Get used to it, and eventually, it will lose the ability to function.....

OK, all of that is the UGLY.

The GOOD is the bone scan did NOT show CRPS or bone cancer [same test, both issues, in fact 12 diagnoses come from such a nuclear scan]. We raised hallelujah about that [both since sister in law Terri, has RSD/CRPS and no legs at all any more, pain galore while a medical text study on the issue- and that is for absolutely real James, I cannot give you her real name- OH, and no bone cancer, the disease which claimed one of my grandmothers at 76].

So, that leaves the BAD, the revelation in the same bone scan of Gout in my lower legs. We had, well actually I had, then we both laughed, on the way to the Doc office today the scan would probably reveal Gout, and I would be asked to stop drinking...... ha, ha, ha..... have never drunk a drop in my life. So, today was another stop at the lab for blood tests for uric acid in my blood, and such. I will begin riding my bicycle and using our treadmill to work on dropping weight, the only real thing which could have caused this issue, except my fondness for asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, and cauliflower [can you imagine?]. Has been kinda hard being cripped up to attempt proper exercise..... oh, well.

Heck, my arm is bugging me too much, I gotta stop typing again,
Prayers for all,
Mark56

Originally Posted by CRPSjames

Hi Mark,

I am so shocked that you have been diagnosed with a hereditary disease on top of all of you other ailments. I myself was screened for Radicular Neuropathy since I have an uncle who had the same symptoms as me, also later diagnosed with CRPS. That certainly explains your numbness of the feet. This may also explain the severe condition of your sister. Very good that you have such a thorough diagnostician though.

Wonderful news that you do not have bone cancer. I was so glad that you did not have a spread of your CRPS to your legs as you had feared. At least your left arm is unaffected.

A few dumb questions:

If your bad right arm has carpel tunnel, I am curious, where did your CRPS originate?

Another dumb question but is there no hope for physical therapy keeping what use you have of you bad arm? I only ask this because when I had a spread of CRPS to my wrist atrophy set in so fast that it became useless.

Can you reprogram your stim to get the Radicular Neuropathy and Gout in your legs and feet?

Are there any meds that work for Radicular Neuropathy?

Getting properly diagnosed a blessing? Yes. Now you know the enemy and with persistence and prayer you will develop a roadmap to manage this and continue your full life!