Peripheral neuropathy | Arthritis Information
Hey all,
Joonie's topic about nerve damage got me thinking and doing some more research on peripheral neuropathy (PN). I have tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, so my rheumy is sending me to a neurologist in December.
On the Mayo Clinic website I found that a cause of PN is RA. So ... I was wondering who here has PN, what are your symptoms, drugs, etc.
Thanks,
Joy
me me me!! I have PN.. and I would say, yes, it is caused by the inflammation of RA... as my inflammation reduced some of my symptoms of PN have ended as well.Thanks babs, that's interesting! Since my tinglyness only started this summer, yet my RA is okay (but not in remission), I wonder if there is some inflammatory activity that isn't causing pain. Maybe my rheumy wants to know it's PN before he changes my meds ... hmmmm ....
My summer was the worst for RA than it's been in ages, but it's been pretty good this fall. Perhaps the summer flare left me with PN as a calling card. But I get ahead of my myself since I still haven't been to the neurologist.
At first when we were trying to find my DX.. they thought I had MS because of the nerve issues... I had NO feeling in my feet.... they would stick me w/ pins and I felt nothing.... I could hardly walk and felt as if I was walking through concrete mix..I had the tingling and pins and needles feelings in my hands.. up to the elbow... and even in my face!!! all around my chin and lips... It was horrible. Since DX last October (07) I have slowly regained my feelings in all those places except for a few.... like my thumb joints and my big toe joint... I can also put my feet in front of me in a relaxed position and watch my toes JUMP.. yep.. they move all on their own. I feel that the PN and RA have left me w/ RLS (restless leg syndrome) I had the EEG and NCS done and there aren't any issues...
Eight years before this flare from hell, I had been to see a neuro because I felt that I had carpel tunnel... He said I did a moderate case... I would wear my braces at night and sometimes during the day and it went away..... Now, I think, I rested my joint and the RA became less inflamed and irritated...... make sense??
I had neuropathy before the RA, largely due to my spine issues and compression. However, when I began getting significant numbness and tingling in my hands and feet upon waking (and for 4-5 hours after), that was my first signal that something new had developed (beyond the fibro and disc disease) which turned out to be RA. As I mentioned in the other thread, I take Lyrica and it has helped significantly.InnerGlow.. can you explain how Lyrica has helped? I would like to know, please.I have a major flare with my sed rate up to 89 and I didn't know that maybe the numbness in feet and hands could be due to the inflamation. It really makes sense to me. My Dr. prescribed neurotin when I complained of my feet tingling. Anyone take it? I just didn't put 2&2 together till reading these post. Laura
Laura, I tried Neurontin before Lyrica, but unfortunately it didn't do anything for me. I hope it helps you.
Babs, before taking the Lyrica, I had frequent, severe, shooting pain down my right arm (from spine issues and compression/fibro) that was almost incapacitating, and I am right-handed so this was a major issue for my functioning. Since taking the Lyrica, I rarely get that particular pain and when I do, it is less severe. I believe (sorry, brain fog) that I was on it before the RA numbness and tingling in my hands and feet started, and then we raised the dose to try to help the RA symptoms. After raising the dose, I still get those sensations from time to time, but it is significantly less often and for less duration. I used to have the numb hands almost every day, upon waking, for 3-5 hours and then again sometimes when I was going to sleep. Now I get it just once in awhile, for 1-2 hours, and not usually in the morning.
Also, I'm going to repeat my advice on Lyrica for anyone considering it, because I've seen so many people who have trouble with it. Lyrica is a strong med and when you first start it, you are very likely to have side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and feeling "out of it". For me, those symptoms lasted a few weeks and then disappeared. This is a med that should be started slowly, and preferrably only at night in the beginning (so the drowsiness won't be an issue). Gradually working your way up will help to avoid those side effects and get you to the point where they're not an issue so you can see if the med works for you. Also, if you decide to discontinue Lyrica, don't go cold turkey, it needs to be tapered!
oh wait! I had those shooting pains... they would take your breath away.... and stop you in your tracks.. I would get them any and everywhere!! arms.. legs.... feet.. UGh... I'm sorry you still experience them!!
Thanks for the reply.... I don't think I need Lyrica... but I hate my Requip.
I've had PN in my feet for about 8 years, compression/herniated disk in my lower back. Had surgery/laminectomy in 2000 that helped neither my back nor my PN. Feet are numb, tingly, burning, painful virtually all the time, worse when walking. Recently the numbness began in both hands, especially the left. I'm blaming a nerve injury to my shoulder and neck in 1975 which has been bothersome off and on for years, thought the numbness is new. Sometimes my left hand goes TOTALLY numb and hurts like holy *&^%.
I do have RA and I'm sure it's a factor in the PN. But I still blame nerve compression though I could be wrong and it's all the fault of RA and Lupus.
[QUOTE=Joy]Hey all,
Joonie's topic about nerve damage got me thinking and doing some more research on peripheral neuropathy (PN). I have tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, so my rheumy is sending me to a neurologist in December.
On the Mayo Clinic website I found that a cause of PN is RA. So ... I was wondering who here has PN, what are your symptoms, drugs, etc.
Thanks,
Joy
[/QUOTE]
I was diagnosed about a year ago with peripheral neuropathy of my motor nerves caused by my rheumatoid arthritis.
My symptoms include weakness in my arms and legs (mostly my legs), numbness and feeling as if I had concrete blocks tied to my legs when I was walking. I am unable to stand for more than about 5 minutes without needing to sit down. There were times when I could barely shower for fear of falling down or because I was hardly able to raise my arms.
I'm being treated with Metanx which made a huge difference. But, I've noticed even more improvement since starting Enbrel a couple of months ago.
klm4242008-11-08 22:10:23Yep, PN here. Started as numbness in legs, feet, then pain developed along with a herniated disk at L5-S1. Had decompression with moderate results but as RA progressed PN symptoms increased. Have been on Lyrica for over a year with great results. Was on Neurontin prior to Lyrica with little or no results. I've had no problems with side effects but I do know that they can be problamatic for some people. It's been my wonder drug along with MXT and Humira. LindyI have PN as well. My RD precribed Lyrica and it makes a huge differrence. I guess it's gotten worse over the years because Lyrica is now my one medication that I will not risk running out of. If I miss even one dose the pain can be unbareable. I also have some nerve damage in my right leg from some old knee surgery that I had and it helps with this as well.
My RD had referred me to a neruologist also about a year ago. He did all sorts of test. SOme nerve conduction thing where they stick all these needles in certain nerves and this thing where they send electric currents to the nerve and test the reaction. He's the one that dx'ed the PN.
The symptoms began as a tingling sensation and progressed to pain. Shooting pains I guess you'd say. Also my legs from the knees down would feel like they would fall asleep when I would sit. My feet would go numb. The neruologist discovered that I had low B12 during all of his testing and I began doing B12 injections after that. That helps with this numbness when I sit I think.
THe neurologist says that RA patients will often develop PN; it's not unusual and in fact very common.
I take Cymbalta for PN. Hasn't really done much yet...we will see.
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