Peripheral neuropathy

[dover]

I'm having tests for peripheral neuropathy. I've no strength in my hands and the ends of my fingers are tingling and numb. Has anybody any experience of this ? Thank you.

[scotslass333]

Hi, I had the tests on my ankles and feet as was getting numbness and tingling, but in the end they said the nerves action was ok and I didn't have it! Sorry not a lot of help to you but I am sure others will have advice, later. All the best.

[dover in reply to scotslass333]

Thank you

[nomoreheels]

I've had peripheral neuropathy & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a result of taking leflunomide. I saw a Neurophysiologist who performed MCS (nerve conduction tests) & EMG (electromyography) on my legs, ankles & feet then on my hands & wrists. The first tests whilst I was taking LEF, the repeat ones a few months later once I'd stopped the LEF.

I hope the tests reveal what the cause of your lack of strength in your hands & the finger tingling/numbness. Has CTS been mentioned or is it specifically PN they're testing for?

[dover in reply to nomoreheels]

I have to go back on Tuesday for the results of my blood tests and he's just testing me for peripheral neuropathy. But I have been on Leflunomide for a couple of years so that could be the cause.

Thank you for replying to me.

[nomoreheels in reply to dover]

You're welcome. I hope they find the cause. It is a rare side effect of LEF, my symptoms started a few weeks after starting it but that doesn't mean it couldn't be it... or something else. Let us know how you get on.

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL in reply to nomoreheels]

My peripheral neuropathy affecting my lower legs, mid calf down, was also put down to leflunomide taken for my RA in the 1990s. I get all sorts of sensory symptoms, pins and needles, numbness, loss of sensation, and even sharp pains feeling like stepping on a piece of broken glass. I am sorry to say that it has got no better over more than 20 years, but I do find that gabapentin helps a lot especially at night when it is worst.

[dover in reply to ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

Thank you for replying to me. I am back at the doctors on Tuesday so will see what he says.

[nomoreheels in reply to ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

I'm sorry you're still having problems so long after Robert. It's good (!) to hear someone else had it confirmed to be LEF. It affected my lower legs too, from the knee down. It may be I didn't have permanent damage because I wasn't taking LEF very long by comparison, 7 months, though my feet still buzz on occasion, actually more often when I think about it. Pleased the gabapentin helps though. It didn't do anything for me so started pregabalin which does.

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for your comments

[nomoreheels in reply to ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

You're welcome.

[rab1874]

Hi Dover I don’t get tingling but get a lot off numbness in my hands plus my feet are always cold, hope they get to the bottom off it xxx

[dover]

Thank you for replying, I will put a post on when I get an answer.

[Singoutloud]

Pernicious Anaemia causes my peripheral neuropathy. It's an autoimmune condition that causes vitamin b12 deficiency and prevents me from absorbing it from food. Certain medications and health conditions can also block absorption of vitamin b12 and cause deficiency. Has your GP checked your B12 & folate levels?

For info, if you are supplementing folic acid, a high folate level can mask a b12 deficiency making it look higher than it really is in a blood test.

[dover in reply to Singoutloud]

I've had blood tests and one of the tests were for B12 so I will find out next week. Thank yo for replying to me.

[QAGS]

my finger ends ( the cushion sides) are weird, feel as though they have been burned, sore to the touch, hurt when I press them...cannot seem to make the GP understand. My B12 is due on Monday, hope this is nothing serious

[dover]

My finger ends are the same, good luck on Monday.

[BonnieT]

I have it in both legs for over 15 years. It gets progressively worse. I tried a med that didn’t work and created more problems. I’ve found no help. The tests are easy. Hope it’s not PN for you and something you find relief for.

[dover]

Thank you for replying to me, do you have it in your fingers? Did it start in your feet and then go into your legs? I hope you don't mind me asking but I don't know much about it. I think I have it in my hands but my arms from my elbows ache like toothache and won't know until I've had the tests if it is PN.