Hello again,

First I want to thank you all fo you input on my thread, I appreciate all of you suggestions and support.

As requested by my doctor I saw a neuro surgeon, who also specials in spine disorders to examine me.

The visit was not to informative, except he stated that he saw no abnormalities on my spine MRI, which I already knew. He also stated that he did not think that the PN that I suffered in my feet and and back of legs could be caused from a pinched nerve in my spine.

After seeing the spine specialist, I went back to my neuro that claims that the NP is definitely coming from a pinched nerve in my spine, even though it does not show up on the spine MRI. She states that impingement of a nerve can be present, and not always show up on a MRI. She claims that the nerve disorder did show up slightly on the EMG so she feels confident in her diagnose of a pinched nerve in my back.

She ordered another MRI of my brain also. I had the MRI, it still showed up slight hyper sensitives in the white matter, but no change in 10 years, which is caused possibly from migraines, or idiopathic reasons.

So, my neuro states I should continue PT, AGAIN for a pinched nerve in my back. (I complain, due to I work full time, and also take care of my elderly mother that lives miles from me, and I already did PT, its TIME consuming. grumble grumble)take neurontin at night, and see her in one year. I have GREAT fears of taking medication, especially the neurontin, since I part of my problem is being overweight 50 lbs. MY doctors say I will feel better if I lose the weight, then put me on medication that can lead to weight gain. I am a writer, and fear losing the ability to write, from side effects of the medication. (See I obsess terribly)

I don't know if I am just obsessing, and should just accept my neuros diagnose of a pinched nerve? Should I stop worrying that I have some horrible disease? Should I continue research and seeking out opinions.

Since I am a nervous person, doctors seem to brush me off, or claim part of my illness is due to anxiety.

I appear to be getting no where, and so frustrated, scared, and not knowing what to do.

Lately I also have pain in TMJ nerves, I have had this on and off for years, but its acting up and painful. Also in the past I have suffered from carpal tunnel pain, when I dental assisted...and when I gained weight from pregnancy, and heart palpitations that cardiologist stated was from a touchy vagues nerve. Could all of these symptoms on and off through the years be connected somehow?

Patty

So many of us have multiple issues, not necessarily related to any form of PN
but when we have all these things going on at once, its easy to try to
find a pattern or try to correlate them into a cause for PN.
Most of the time, its just a case of multiple issues, unrelated to PN.....along with PN.
IMHO, if you can afford it, or your ins. covers it - leave no stone unturned in your
search to try to find answers.
Maybe, one of those tests will actually be a 'smoking gun' and lead to better treatment & pain relief.

Patty:

Hi. Did I read this right?? Did you state that your neuro said to see her in ONE YEAR????

Really??

Patty,

Sometimes these issues take years to work out, seriously. The docs actually rely on this process for diagnosis to some extent.

If you can do the PT, it won't hurt and may help.

If you have TMJ I hope you have a bite splint.

Tell your doc your carpal tunnel is flaring up.

It could all be related, none of it could be related...you have stress, which does exacerbate things, but, I get tired of docs telling folks they are stressed and not listening to what physical symptoms the patient presents. Docs see us as parts, not as whole....until they are stuck with a huge systemic mess (which by the way, take years to develop, thank goodness).

If you have a mononeuropathy, one area, it is possibly due to nerve impingement....usually docs are forced by insurance to do PT first. It sounds as though your doc will do further tests if it does not get better.

You can make an good effort with the PT and see what happens, not worry, and things may improve. At some point, you have to find a doc you can put your trust in, and let it go....(to an extent). You also have to do your own research as time goes on if the condition doesn't improve.

Hi Patty, I agree with previous posters.... over the years i have been on these PN forums i read many posters complain of weight gain due to the use of Neurotin, although it apparently can help relieve the symptoms there are many other meds that can help as well, your General Practioner can order other meds for you to try, everyone is different but Tramadol Slow Release & Endep worked pretty good for me, but it is an individual thing.
I remember you mentioning carrying extra weight previously and being diagnosed with plantar Fasciitis in both feet, which makes me wonder how much is the extra weight contributing to your problems, have they tried you any anti inflammatory meds for that ?

Also you did say you had a glucose test and it was normal, in the beginning of my problems i had a normal fasting blood glucose test and they said it was normal, but my neuro wasn't happy with that and i was carrying extra weight so he ordered a 3 hour glucose tolerance test that showed i was prediabetic, which he said can cause the same problems as a full blown diabetic in some people.

It seems your neuro is not going to change his mind about his diagnoses so i would definatly find another neuro that is a PN specialist, as Bob said '" leave no stone unturned ".
good luck
Brian

Thanks everyone,

I made an appt. with my family doctor again, since he has been my doctor for 12 years, familiar with my PN symptoms, and knows I have seen a neurologist.

My family doctor does not hold back if he feels a specialist is needed, hes pretty much on the ball with diagnosing as well. But me, me and my strange PN, has him stumped. He more less states I have a idiopathic immune disorder, and maybe someday my blood work will prove it. At one time he said he thought I may have pinched nerves in my pelvis causing the PN, he says too, I need to lose weight. He is about the only doctor that states my symptoms has NOTHING to do with anxiety.

Actually I was a social worker, and ran depression/anxiety support groups for 15 years, in addition to advocating for the mentally ill, now I work with mentally challenged teens, a bit different.

Well, as I stated in my other post, I admit to being an anxious person, I always have been. My anxiety elevates when I don't feel good. However I truly know anxiety is not the cause of my disorder, anxiety just aggravates my symptoms.

Now the obsessing about my disorders, that is a completely different story, I could probably use a medication for that, but I have fears of medications, from having a few allergic reactions I suppose. Also I am leary of taking medication until they find out what is causing the PN, for REAL, that is if they ever do. I am just a mess you guys~

I am not feeling well today, obsessing over this darn PN, and what to do next. I even took the morning off, and I never miss work, so my physical and mental state being poor, has finally interfered with my daily life to the point I have missed work, DARN!

Its been a long cold winter here in WNY, so I am hoping spring will bring warm weather and flowers, and lighten up the gloomy gray out doors, and also lighten up my spirits as well.

I will pop back after my appt with my family doctor on Wed.

Thanks for reading, hope you all have a nice week, and happy spring!

Patty

Hi Patty!

I was just reading through your thread and wanted to say hello!

I am glad you feel very good about your relationship with your primary care doctor! This is a huge plus! A good primary care doc is also a good advocate and it's vitally important to have a healthy and helpful relationship with a p.c. doc!

This fact, alone, makes me feel hopeful for you. While "specialists" come and "specialists" go, our pcp's generally stick around! They know the history of trying to get diagnoses "nailed down," etc. I think they tend to think more of the whole person and can truly appreciate who you are!

It sounds like you do have your hands full and PT might be difficult to fit into your schedule?

While I would recommend the PT, I also understand your predicament. If it is truly not feasible to attend PT, I am wondering if you'd consider trying some of the home programs ...starting with the basics that help with stretching and mild strengthening, etc.? I don't have any specific program in mind, but I , too, have a hard time getting to PT and... I often will commit to a program I can do on my own, even with a DVD or something. This allows me to do this whenever I can fit it into my schedule!

Sometimes, in the past, I have gone to PT for the initial evaluation and have gotten "direction" about exactly what needs to be worked on and then...I gradually take on doing the work at home. I make appointments with PT then...just one every few weeks, so the PT can help me to evaluate whether I have focused on the right areas and she can also measure any progress and/or show me if I am not gaining progress. She can also help me with suggestions for any additional problems I might be encountering.

This way, she does help to identify the "problem areas" and gives me a "program." I take on the program and we meet up at intervals to se how things are progressing for me. It's much less of a time commitment to actually being at th PT center. Yet, the time is still invested...just whenever you are able to do it! (You might not have the option of going to PT at 8 p.m.; yet, that might be a good time for you to do your PT!!! You can do it then..if you do it on your own!)

Just some ideas!

Keep an eye on the PN. I have this feeling you and your primary care doc are both going to look after that very well! (If you feel unsettled about the neuro's opinion, is it possible to obtain another opinion?)

Please do keep us up-to-date! I'd be interested in how things are going for you!

Hope you achieve complete healing!