Diagnosing neuropathy should of course be conducted by a medical professional. However, patients can get a better idea whether they might have it or not by looking over the most common symptoms of neuropathy – to see if those symptoms line up with what they are experiencing. They can also benefit from considering causes of neuropathic pain that might put them in a high-risk group. Finally, it is specifically worth looking at the differences between peripheral neuropathic pain and multiple sclerosis since the two conditions are so similar and, hence, often misdiagnosed.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Many of the symptoms of neuropathy have to do with sensations – such as pain, pins-and-needles, burning, numbness, and touch sensitivity. Neuropathy is not limited to these discomfort-related nerve signals but is actually broader than that, extending in some cases to sexual or urinary impairment; gland or organ dysfunction; muscular atrophy or weakness; or paralysis.
Causes of Neuropathy
Beyond looking at symptoms of neuropathy, to determine if you have the condition, one of the ways to do so is considering whether you have experienced one of the most common causes of the condition: surgery, accidents, disease, or infection. In the case of surgery, if it is an amputation, you may experience a rare type of neuropathy, phantom limb syndrome. If you get into an accident, you may suffer neuropathy related to damaged joints, tissue, and muscles. Cancer, multiple myeloma, multiple sclerosis, and some other major diseases may lead to neuropathy as well. Finally, some people – particularly those with HIV, shingles, and syphilis – may experience neuropathic symptoms from infections.
PN vs. MS
Neuropathy is often classified within four broad categories: autonomic, proximal, focal, and peripheral. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common, impacting 7 in 10 diabetics, among others. PN is often mistaken for another common illness, multiple sclerosis (MS). To get a better idea on the distinction between those diseases:
- PN or Peripheral Neuropathy – Part of the reason it is not easy always to identify PN is simply how diverse the condition is. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there are more than 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy alone. However, the various strains of PN are all related, all involving some peripheral nervous system damage – meaning issues with the nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms are often felt in the hands, feet, or lower legs. Numbness, pain, and other abnormal sensations are experienced as the peripheral nerves stop working properly. Patients who have suffered for a long time with PN, particularly if it is advanced, may experience muscular weakness.
- MS – The symptoms of this disease are similar to symptoms of neuropathy, particularly peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms include uncomfortable sensations such as pain and numbness. However, a primary distinction in MS when compared to PN is that the former impacts the spinal cord, optic nerve, and/or brain — i.e., the central nervous system, not the peripheral one. In MS, the issue is that the central nervous system is damaged and unable to properly send signals to the peripheral nerves.
Recovering from Your Neuropathy
Do you think you might be suffering from symptoms of neuropathy? At Atlanta Medical Clinic, our groundbreaking treatment protocol not only helps relieve the symptoms of PN but also works to restore the function of damaged nerves.
Hi. I am suffering from leg weakness. The more I am on my feet the weaker my legs get and my low back tightens up and goes into spasms. I have 3 bad discs in my lower back. Does this sound like neuropathy? I only have weakness in my legs. No other nueropathy simptoms.
Hi DeWayne, thank you for reaching out to us! We are sorry to hear that. Please call our office at 404-872-8837. Our staff will be able to help you.
Hi I am suffering debilitating electric shock sensation in my arms and hands. The pain supersedes giving birth to my son. The pain in my hands is much worse by a long shot. I am on gabapentin but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. I have seen a neurologist and rheumatologist that don’t seem to know or care about finding what is causing my disability. They simply tell me they don’t know then send me out of their office. Why not order more testing to find a solution rather than giving up on their part? Lifting my arms and hands is very difficult. I went 3 days without being able to eat or drink anything because I couldn’t lift my arms or hands. I am desperate for relief. Please help!
Hello Kelly! We’re very sorry to hear that. Call us at 404-872-8837 and our specialists will be able to help you.
Can a herniated disc cause neuropathy
Hi Dave! Thank you for reaching out! Neuropathy is caused by a lot of different factors and the cause varies between individuals. In order to assess your specific condition, we would need you to come to our office and be evaluated by our staff. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at 404-872-8837.
I have tingling and numbness in my right hand but no pain. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and recommended surgery. I decided against the surgery because I found out I would possibly have permanent numbness after the surgery. I am not diabetic. Could this be neuropathy instead of CTS?
Hi Carmen. Thank you for reaching out! Please call us at 404-872-8837. Our doctors will be able to help you.
I was diagnosed with pn in 2003 along with type 2 diabetes. I also slipped on the ice in the same year and ruptured 2 disc’s and now have several that are ballooning. I am having both knees replaced in a matter of weeks. My pn is nearing unbearable. The pain is 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. I wouldnt sleep at night if it was’nt for ambien. I take 2400 mg of gabapentin every day along with a 20 and a 40 mg of duloxotine. Nortriptolyn at bedtime. My pcp wanted to up the gabopentin to 3200 mgs but it was causing me to stutter my speech severely. I fall alot, inside and outside. My question is….could the pn be caused by the bad discs in my back or is this a probable cause from diabetes, or both? Can my severe pn still be helped or is it too far advanced? I’m terrified of losing my feet in the future. Thank you.
Hi Bernadette! We are sorry to hear that. Please don’t hesitate and call us at 404-872-8837. Our specialists will be able to help you with your pain.
I was diagnosed with PN 13 years ago and warned it is a progressive degenerative disease . True. Cause has not been found, tests included spinal fluid examination, PET Scan, (sural) nerve biopsy. Blood tests ruled out diabetes etc.
Now on ivig 6 weekly for 4 years with no improvement.
Severe loss of leg strength and balance gone has left me desperate for a treatment/ cure. I live on fringes of London but would go anywhere in the world! Could you help ?
Hi Lou! We’re sorry to hear that. Our clinic offers a variety of neuropathy treatments. 95% of our patients reported a significant improvement in their neuropathy after using our services. You can call us at 404-872-8837 or fill out a contact form: https://www.atlantamedicalclinic.com/contact/. We’d be happy to help find the best solution for you!
Extreme pain for over a month; began after a few months of plantar fasciitis. Pain extends from right hip all the way down to the right foot. Double up when walking. Nothing seems to ease the pain. Am on a regimen of extra strength Tylenol every 5 hours with no relief. Have had shingles in the past, cysts in various places and surgeries for them, surgery on a shattered tibia and the metal plate broke off and now extends outside my right knee. Have had encephalitis as a child, surgery on my lower spine at the Montreal Neurological Hospital. Have had Lyme disease and
almost any disease you can think of.
Hi Beverley! We are sorry to hear about that. Our clinic specializes in pain management and we would be happy to provide you with more information. Please call us at 404-872-8837. We work with most insurance plans, including Medicare.
I was living with MS for years before being officially diagnosed in 2021. I got annual MRIs, and I did not take any meds due to side effects. I had one flare up in 2021. My legs decided to a break, and I was numb from the waist down. I decided to try MS-4 from Uine Health Centre. The numbness and Muscle spasms went away after a couple of weeks, but it took almost 3 months to walk properly without a cane. In June, it will be four years without incident, and I am extremely happy that I made the decision to not take any meds and went for the MS-4 formula even though my neurologist got upset and one told me to quit my job because I will be disabled. Well, I am not disabled, I still refuse to take those meds, and I am doing just fine. Believe in yourself and go with your instincts. Doctors don’t know it all. I’m surprised a lot of people with MS haven’t heard of the MS-4 protocol, I got the treatment from uinehealth centre . co m I am absolutely confident that this protocol offers a viable solution. I hope you find it helpful.