Neuropathy?

LL30

Just wondering if anyone has experience of this?

I have psoriatic arthritis and saw my consultant yesterday. He did some test with a needle thing and it turns out that I can't feel properly in my feet and hands (how does that happen without you knowing it?!). I've been put on (some more) drugs to help with it and I'm having further tests, but it's freaked me out a touch. Happy because it means we can deal with it, but unhappy about having something new Praying that it's easy to treat and I'll finally be getting on the road to recovery...please!

sheep-ali

Sorry but in my experience this is not good news.
It all depends on the cause really but sometimes a nerve can get trapped causing a lack of proper feeling in the affected areas.
In my case, it began with a stroke which left me without proper sensation in part of my left hand. Unrelated to that I now have problems with my feet as well.
The pills that they gave me were for neuropathic pain & will not cure the underlying condition.
Hopefully, your problem is different & the pills will cure the problem

luminated

sheep-ali wrote: »

Sorry but in my experience this is not good news.
It all depends on the cause really but sometimes a nerve can get trapped causing a lack of proper feeling in the affected areas.
In my case, it began with a stroke which left me without proper sensation in part of my left hand. Unrelated to that I now have problems with my feet as well.
The pills that they gave me were for neuropathic pain & will not cure the underlying condition.
Hopefully, your problem is different & the pills will cure the problem

I have Peripheral Neuropathy that started in 2005 with slight numbness/tingling in my feet but has since got quite a lot worse. I take Pregabalin and before was Gabapentin but I am told there are no tablets that work that well. So I hope OP has something that is treatable.

sheep-ali

luminated wrote: »

I have Peripheral Neuropathy that started in 2005 with slight numbness/tingling in my feet but has since got quite a lot worse. I take Pregabalin and before was Gabapentin but I am told there are no tablets that work that well. So I hope OP has something that is treatable.

I am on full dose Gabapentin at the moment & I believe tablets only mask the pain.
I think the term Peripheral Neuropathy basically covers a lot of things they doctors do not understand but they like to give a name to conditions.

bitsandpieces

LL30 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has experience of this?

I have psoriatic arthritis and saw my consultant yesterday. He did some test with a needle thing and it turns out that I can't feel properly in my feet and hands (how does that happen without you knowing it?!). I've been put on (some more) drugs to help with it and I'm having further tests, but it's freaked me out a touch. Happy because it means we can deal with it, but unhappy about having something new Praying that it's easy to treat and I'll finally be getting on the road to recovery...please!

It means you have to take care not to hurt your feet and hands without noticing, but if it's not causing you problems then the symptom itself isn't necessarily a bit problem. I'll likely have some neuropathy for the rest of my life (an effect of chemo) but it's only a very minor annoyance.

Hopefully they're able to find the cause quickly, and hopefully it's curable in your case. However, try not to panic - the symptom itself can be very manageable (and if you've only noticed it when tested, it sounds like you were coping well with it up to now)

luminated

sheep-ali wrote: »

I am on full dose Gabapentin at the moment & I believe tablets only mask the pain.
I think the term Peripheral Neuropathy basically covers a lot of things they doctors do not understand but they like to give a name to conditions.

I have been put on higher doses but feel a lower maintenance dose is as good as the higher does. The higher does knock me out and make me so drugged people think I am drunk :T

I have researched the Internet a lot to try and find some treatment, to alleviate the symptoms, but so far no luck. The only thing that works for me is a plastic storage box filled with water at 33 degrees and dunk my feet and lower legs in for about 20 minutes. Sometimes it gives an excellent result but not always.

Believe me I have begged all those with who I have come into contact with GP's, Consultants, Physios, Podiatrist but all say no effective treatment - UGH.

luminated

bitsandpieces wrote: »

It means you have to take care not to hurt your feet and hands without noticing, but if it's not causing you problems then the symptom itself isn't necessarily a bit problem. I'll likely have some neuropathy for the rest of my life (an effect of chemo) but it's only a very minor annoyance.

Hopefully they're able to find the cause quickly, and hopefully it's curable in your case. However, try not to panic - the symptom itself can be very manageable (and if you've only noticed it when tested, it sounds like you were coping well with it up to now)

I usually end up stubbing my big toes and need regular Podiatry treatment to alleviate the nail/s piercing the skin. To start with I was told I never ticked the boxes for NHS treatment but then I did as my feet are numb like in diabetes that does qualify.

I hate to say what I am about to say but over 7 years I have reached a point where I needed a walking stick, then two walking sticks, then two years ago a wheelchair as I can't walk more than a few yards without risk of falling. I also hate to say I have been told it will not get better in my case and can only get worse. But being very pragmatic that can be life

LL30

Thanks everyone for your input. I have had excruciating pain in my feet for ages, but assumed it was the arthritis. It's strange because my feet don't even feel like they belong to me, just useless blocks of wood at the end of my end, but at the same time, they give me hell pain wise! I have constant tingling, ants running in my feet sensations, twanging, twitching, throbbing...in the mornings, the pressure feels so bad that they feel like they will explode when I put them to the floor. I honestly thought this was the PsA and nothing more.

As I understand it, they can't 'cure' it (as many of you have said) but it's about controlling the effects it has. I'm due to see a podiatrist next week too due to an inflamed big toe. It's all making sense now, my balance has gone to pot over the last 6 months, but I thought it was due to lack of strength because of my arthritis Oh well, best I know what I'm dealing with I suppose...

sheep-ali

luminated wrote: »

I have been put on higher doses but feel a lower maintenance dose is as good as the higher does. The higher does knock me out and make me so drugged people think I am drunk :T

I know what you mean but at least they give me an excuse for my memory deterioration unfortunately they are no longer really working for the pain

Horseunderwater

I too have a version of this - it came on recently after I had a cellultis infection in October. It does feel like lots of ants and on some days I feel like someone is sticking thousands of red hot needles into me. At the moment I can still feel my toes and I am on Amitriptyline for it. My feet seem to be freezing cold and almost numb, but if you touch the skin it is hot. Also cannot stand duvet on them some times. Although there is no cure - cutting out excessive sugar in the diet can help reduce the effects and taking Vit B supplements may help to some extent. But I am diabetic too so I have already cut down all carbs anyway.

luminated

But hasten to add everyone should pester their GP/Consultant to make sure they have the right diagnosis not assume one from readings on this forum.