What is the difference between fibro and peripheral neuropathy.

[lizzie1]

Hi I have been reading about the two and they seem to share some similarities. Could anyone explain in layman's terms the difference between the two.Going to my Gp next week and need all the info I can gather.

Many thanks.

[Mdaisy]

Hello Lizzi,

Here is some information on Peripheral Neuropathy;

patient.co.uk/health/periph...

Peripheral Neuropathy as you may read it essentially a condition affecting the Peripheral nervous system (nerves) as opposed to the CNS. The link above says you can experience Peripheral secondary to some conditions as listed.

Lindsey Middlemiss founder of FibroAction (2009) 'There is an increasing body of evidence to show that Fibro is a Central Nervous System (CNS) related disorder. Fibro is sometimes called a Central Sensitisation Syndrome. Abnormal processing by the Central Nervous System causes the pain amplification that people with Fibro experience. The changes in the neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter systems also explain many of the other Fibro symptoms' Link below;

fibroaction.org/Pages/What-...

However, further research continues as the Medical Profession have to undertake collective studies reporting similar results before any classification from Musculoskeletal to Neurological can be made, if at all. Most of the FMS community have this understanding that it is Neurological and many Fibro patients have symptoms of Dysautonomia, as do I also experiencing nerve pain daily.

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

Many of the symptoms that you have read may seem similiar to each other and some conditions may have overlapping symptoms as we do with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) , however Fibro & Peripheral Neuropathy are conditions in their own right as you know.

nhs.uk/conditions/Chronic-f...

So your question is somewhat difficult to answer, until they have more understanding about all the conditions, the role of the nervous systems in each and any further information. We will not know why if any or some conditions may appear to be linked and/or the exact differences between them physiologically. If we have a breakthrough in a diagnostic tool as some point in the future (which may be a long time off yet) this may hopefully reveal the answers the Medical Profession needs.

Conditions I have personally have seen mentioned that may be possibly synonymous to each other on the internet have been Fibro, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Irritable Bladder Syndrome (IBlS or IC), Primary Dysmenorrhea, Migraines, Periodic Limbs Movement Syndrome (PLMS), Tension Headaches, TemporoMandibular Joint Disorders (TMJD), Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCS), and Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)

I hope I have explained as best I can using the information as I understand it.

Emma

[lizzie1 in reply to Mdaisy]

Thank you so much for the reply Emma. Am going off now to read it all. Thanks again

[mason in reply to Mdaisy]

hi emma sorry just saw your reply i have made a post at the bottom can you offer me any advice please iam in so much pain and no help from my doctor ,thank you ,

[Matrix]

Hello there ,I have both and they are both painful but peripheral is like hot needles and its a pain that stops you in your tracks .

[lizzie1 in reply to Matrix]

Hi Matrix thanks for the reply. It sounds like I have fibro more than peripheral n.I dont experience hot needles type of pain.What I dont understand is that they say you have trigger points with fibro, which I have. Having said that the whole of my thigh area is so very tender. Is it normal to have large areas like the thigh affected. I have read that the trigger points are small.

[sue32]

Peripheral neuropathy is part of my diabetes. It affects my feet more than anything. It feels like someone is squeezing my toes really, really hard. Unfortunately it is a side effect, if you like, of diabetes.

[lizzie1 in reply to sue32]

Thanks sue for you reply. From peoples descriptions I think I have fibro .

[pattyNash in reply to sue32]

Sue,

I have the same problem but don't have diabetes. I have ideopathic PN, and the worst part--while I am up all night is that it feels like someone wrapped piano wire around my toes and is squeezing them. The neurontin really helped at first but it was just doubles to 18 mg per day and it still hurts but not as much as it did before I started.

There are a couple of books on PN for sale on ebay by a doctor who had PN which I think I will get.

Pain is a reminder to me that I don't have forever to get things done (including helping my family and loving and encouraging others) so doing these things is a welcome distraction from pain itself.

Pain CAN be used as a motivator.

I will pray for you this week because I truly commiserate with you. I feel your pain. Trult I do. Even right now!

God has a purpose for your life, and you are extremely valuable to God. Sue and I will pray that you will know the power of your own [God-given] love to love others.

Yours truly OUCH!

Patty Nash

[Matrix]

Lizzie,1 well if you think where the points are then imagine the pain radiating down from that ,the nerves are all over our bodies and if you are unlucky like me and have the full 18 then your whole body is affected.Im not diabetic but am in danger of becoming it I'm in pre diabetic state now .Sending gentle hugs xx

[mason]

hi i was diagnosed with periphilal neuropathy caused by malnutrition its agony to walk its like having sharp needles stuck in my feet and electric shocks going up my feet also if i put my feet up my feet twitch and jump i have no control of them ,i also have fibromyalgia and osteophorisis can anyone give me more information on neuropathy caused by malnutrition please i need help my doctor is not helping me .

[mason]

hi lizzie i have both i have perifual neuropathy caused by malnutrition i lost a lot of weight went down to 5 stone i lost all the muscle tone in my body it has taken years for me to put weight on .ten years ago i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia so i have a mixture of the 2 plus osteophorisis as when i lost weight i did not get the nutrition for my bones the neuropathy affects my feet my feet burn as though they are on fire i get electric shocksand feel like i am walking on broken glass my feet are are hypersensative to the slightest touch i cant wear shoes i wear memory foam slippers .i get a lot of fibro symptoms like memory loss cant stand loud noises fibro fog 3 hours slleep a night if ime lucky my ballance is bad i have lots of falls .there is a site if you google 100 synptoms of fibromyalgia it willl tell you .i dont understand it myself i just take one day at a time i spend a lot of time in bed as i cant wear normal clothes i have to wear baggy clothes as they hurt me to wear them for me pyjamas are the best i hope i have helped if you need to know more please let me know take care ,what do you have .

[lizzie1]

Thanks mason for your reply. My gp thinks i have fibro so at least i know now.