peripheral neuropathy

[bedfordlodgers1]

Has anyone got peripheral neuropathy really badly. I have rheumatoid arthritis but can't understand this awful numbness I can hardly walk.

[Fruitandnutcase]

No, fortunately I don’t have anything like that. Could you by any chance be diabetic? I understand that is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. What do your doctors say about it?

Sorry I’ve got no answers for you - just a load of questions.

[medway-lady]

I'd ask for a B12 blood test because not everything is down to RA and it is a symptom of Pernicious Anaemia too. I hope its not that but a test costs nothing and really better safe than sorry especially if you've got chronic fatigue and feel down.

[bedfordlodgers1 in reply to medway-lady]

Thankyou all for your help.I got desperate and looked up the PN on an NHS site which was very helpful. Am getting some acupuncture on Monday thinking that might help. Do have the B12. My eyesight is affected too. see what happens when I see RA specialist in Sept.

[Hidden]

My understanding is that peripheral neuropathy is not a ‘normal’ symptom of RA or inflammatory arthritis. Occasionally, during a flare, swelling within a joint can impinge on nerves leading to neuropathy symptoms, or worsen existing nerve conduction problems due to other conditions like carpal tunnel, but this should settle with treatment i.e. steroids. In rare cases, RA can trigger vasculitis, which can also cause nerve entrapment and cause neuropathy, but that’s pretty uncommon. Outside of flares, I’d personally be looking to other issues: I have peripheral neuropathy in my hands and arms as a result of cupital tunnel syndrome (similar to carpal tunnel but involving the nerves in the elbow rather than the wrist), and I’m predisposed to quicker numbness/pins and needles in legs and feet due to a neurological condition I had surgery for a few years back. Prior to that surgery, I had horrendous PN. As others have said, it’s also a symptom of multiple other conditions, so unless you’re mid flare and not taking pred, I think you really need to see your GP for this one.

[Jacey15]

I have peripheral neuropathy in hands and feet. A neurologist told me it was down to R.A.