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Is my discomfort due to Peripheral Neuropathy

Posted , 2 users are following.

chris05237
chris05237

I am 77 years old and was diagnosed with a mild form of peripheral neuropathy in June 2015 and prescribed 50mg Pregabalin after experiencing balance problems. At the time I was told it "probably" wouldn't get any worse but I think it is and have recently had my Pregabablin increased to 75mg to see if that makes any difference. I find it particularly difficult when walking downstairs and have to use my eyes to ensure my feet hit the steps correctly.

?Over the last few months I have been getting a quite severe ache in my left leg especially in the thigh area and my legs sometime feel like lead which makes my balance worse when walking. Also I have been experiencing considerable discomfort when sitting in my armchair, I have to constantly move my position as my buttocks seem very sensitive?. This can vary from day to day in intensity.

?My wife and I changed our furniture (settee/armchairs) just before I was diagnosed about  from Multiyork which we were told would be very comfortable and soon after my diagnosis I began to experience the discomfort when sitting in my chair (it is not a recliner I just have a foot stool). I immediately blamed the furniture,The seat cushion is medium firmness high density foam. I have also tried a soft cushion but that was no better

?Can anyone tell me if my discomfort and leg ache are a direct result of my condition and if there is anything I can do to make it easier. I did contemplate changing the furniture but I am not sure this would help without knowing the cause of my discomfort.

Thanks

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Jon8181
    Jon8181 chris05237

    Posted

    Hi Chris, I read your post and do feel for you. I am 63 years old and was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy in both feet and in 2005, I also have Type II Diabetes. Currently, from what I'm told, there is no cure for Peripheral Neuropathy. Mine began mild with some pain and numbness in my toes. Finally I May 2011 mine got so bad I couldn't work, drive or walk for any distance. On a latter note, since then I've been diagnosed having a history of Ischemic Thrombosis Strokes, Lacunar Strokes, White Brain Matter Disease, Complex Partial Seizure Disorder and Simple Partial Seizure Disorder. I deal with dizziness, balance issues and headachesand falling down everyday. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms will get worse. I believe your balance issues are from something else. You may want to insist to have an MRI brain scan performed, that's the only way to find out if you have any issues with either Your White Brain Matter or you may even be having issues with your Cerebellum. If you have any issues with either, it will cause balance issues, falling down etc. If you have any issues with your Cerebellum, it all depends which area is affected. Don't wait. There are medications that can help. We all have Gray and White Matter in our brain. As we age the white matter, like everything else will begin to deteriorate. I have White Matter Disease which is not caused by aging but by high blood pressure being unchecked for a period of time, Type II Diabetes also unchecked and smoking, I had all three (3). One more suggestion, find a Neurologist who's not only experienced but cares. I went through 4 different Neurologists until I found one who was willing to give the extra mile. As far as your other symptoms, I don't know. Peripheral Neuropathy will attack the limbs of the body, i.e. feet, toes, fingers, hands, arms and legs. So it could well be the neuropathy that your having a problem with your thighs and legs, that's not unusual. I live here in Southern California and I've been taking Dilaudid 4 mg and Tramadol 50 mg for both my Peripheral Neuropathy and Sciatica nerve pain in my lower back. I hope I've been some help. I will place your name on my prayer list. P.S. before you go out spending more money on furniture, I'd call around where you live and see if there are and furniture or medical supply companies that may cater to your specific needs. Explain your physical issues and some may even allow you to try out their furniture/medical aids to deal with your specific requirements.

    • chris05237
      chris05237 Jon8181

      Posted

      Apologies for the delay in responding to your post. I can be assured that my diagnosis is correct as I had an MRI and other tests and that was the neurologists diagnosis. There were also no other issues, he did in act say that from looking at my MRI white brain matter scan he thought it most unlikely I would ever suffer from

      alzeiheimer's disease.

      Unless I can find an answer to my specific question it looks like I will just have to grin and bear it.

      Compared to yourself my problems are minor and I wish you well for the future.

    • Jon8181
      Jon8181 chris05237

      Posted

      Thats great when they say grim and bear it. I asked my doctor about why there isn't much medication on the market to help with the issues with peripheral Neuropathy and he said that until recently there hadn't been much research done with regards to the disease. Specialists are just now starting to realize how much of a problem peripheral Neuropathy has become. So you and I, most likely, won't see any relief in our lifetime. Doctors just don't realize how bad this disease is and currently all they can do is provide a temporary solution that acts as a bandaid to a much broader problem. I began having issues in 2005, but it wasn't until a few years ago was I properly diagnosed. But even then there wasn't much they could do for me, and currently there still isn't anything they can do for me. Like I shared in my last post, I take Dilaudid for the pain. Dilaudid 4 mg is about 5 to 6 times stronger then morphine and I also take Tramadol, 50 mg. Dilaudid comes in 2 mg, 4 mg and 8 mg. I started out on 2 mg and I have been on 4 mg over the last 8 years. I take 1 tablet every 4 hours. I get 180 pills per month. My doctor tried me on everything, Oxytocin, Morphine, every kind of pain pill on the market. For me, the mixture of Dilaudid and Tramadol is the only thing that works. The only problem is Dilaudid is an opioid based pain medication so I've been on it for so long I've become addicted to it, but right now there's not much else I can do. There are days the pain is so bad that even the Dilaudid doesn't even take the pain away. Good Luck to you. I live here I the United States, if your doctor puts you in something that works please let me know. Here is my contact information. Jon Ciotti

      email:

      Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

      http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • ishfaqm
      ishfaqm Jon8181

      Posted

      Hi Jon8181, thanks for sharing your experience. I am type 2 diabetic and since last week i have been feeling strange sensation between my toes, along with pins and needles on hand and feet. Twice i woke up with a kind a tremor sensation on my lips and tong. I spoke to my GP but he seems to think its nothing serious but all the search on internet leads my to peripheral Neuropathy. what would be your advice for me to do at this point to either reduce the or stop this going worst. It feels like a sudden attack. I would appreciate any help/advice.
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