RNY patient with neuropathy

I was just told her doc scheduled her for an "electric shock test". On the Mayo clinic site, there is a reference to an EMG test where nerves are tested with electrical probes. I guess this is what she meant.  I just got a Tread Climber, and her doc said that would be great 15 minutes a day to increase flexiblity in her ankles and feet. DAVE

I've had neuropathy in my left thigh for years and years I've had the electric probes I've had tests for MS I've had all kinds of things. The PCP and neurologist never could figure it out. My new chiropractor thinks he knows exactly what it is. A nerve pinched from being overweight. He said they spent so much time looking for other things they probably missed the obvious. It is numb but often burns and itches and I want to peel it off it's horrible.

As for feet and hands there are countless causes. From MS to diabetes. Low B12 low B6 low potassium high B6 etc

Mayo clinic's site has some good info on peripheral neuropathy.

I have chronic back issues and neuropathy in both lower legs and feet. I see a pain management doctor and neurologist. They have done many tests but couldn't ever determine why this has happened. Normally, they will start you on Neurontin or Lyrica, however, I'm severely allergic to both. I tend to trip frequently, because of the numbness, which causes me to fall and making the pain worse. I pray they figure out a way to treat her symptoms. I am bedbound a lot from the pain and numbness (its strange how something can be numb, yet seriously painful at the same time), which causes other issues too. One other thought, I love my RNY, but it probably would have been better to press my insurance to cover the sleeve, since now I can't take NSAID's either.

Most of the time, my wife's feet are numb. If she works on the concrete patio this summer, the soldes of her feet blister, and yet she doesn't feel it.  She tried wearing sandals, and ended up with severe blisters on the back of her feet, with no pain again. Yet, every few nights she wakes up in pain from just the weight of a bedsheet.  Her test with those electrodes on her legs and feet won't be until mid October, another 5 weeks.  She woke up in pain from a rest today. She's spent 80% of the day in bed today.  DAVE

I have worked for a neurology clinic for 13 years as a medical assistant. (I'm not a nurse, so keep that in mind!)

Unfortunately, the cause of about 50% of neuropathies are "unknown". It sucks not knowing what causes it but the focus at this point should be on treating the symptoms. The EMG test should help with the diagnosis so it's good that she's having that and she may want to followup with a neurologist instead of only her PCP to get a more comprehensive overview of her situation.

There are many medications that can be prescribed to treat neuropathy and it's likely going to have to be trial and error. Most neurologists have a "neuropathy panel" of bloodwork they will order to try and diagnose the cause so make sure she has that done (but not on the same day as the EMG, or at least not right after, as the test will skew a portion of the results).

I hope she gets some answers and relief soon. Neuropathy just sucks (as you well know). Hopefully they can pinpoint a cause since the best way to treat neuropathy is to treat the underlying cause.

Has there been any further information on this?

My wife will be having some tests in the next 10 days. Appt. was not available for 3-4 weeks.  She found some sandals on ebay that she just received. Her feet swell almost daily, and with no feeling on the bottom of her feet, she needed some type of foot wear she could adjust. Velcro fastners allow her to change how tight the sandals are.  She wore some Birkenstock women's sandals she had and she ended up with blisters on the sides and back of her feet from the sandal straps. She could not feel the fact that her feet had swelled, and the swelling caused the straps to rub hard on her skin, causing foot and ankle blisters.  DAVE