A Neuropathy Patient wrote: (Permission granted to use the story.) “My neuropathy is caused by long term malabsorbtion of vitamin E. I saw a neurologist at Mayo Clinic, after years of “treatment” in my home town. The diagnosis was polyradiculoneuropathy with ataxia. Why do I not see more information about […]
Guitar legend, Eric Clapton has told Classic Rock Magazine Peripheral Neuropathy makes playing guitar “hard work”. Clapton has had an unprecedented career including being ranked number 2 in a list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone; 17 Grammy Awards; and the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.
By understanding important elements of the Doctor/Patient relationship, patients can participate in unlocking barriers which too often prevent them from getting the most out of visits to a medical professional.
Peter D. Donofrio, M.D. is professor of Neurology and director of the Neuromuscular Division of the Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is director of Neuropathy Center at Vanderbilt. Read the excellent article by Dr. Donofrio on Medication Induced Neuropathy that is printed below. The limits of the blood-brain and blood nerve barriers […]
The physical cause of neuropathic pain is damaged peripheral nerves and as one medical expert notes, may also be due to the attempt of damaged nerves to fire across damaged sections of the peripheral nerve. See: References #1 to #3 Somatization Disorders Somatization disorder is a long-term (chronic) condition in […]
FACT: Neuropathic pain does NOT respond to ‘normal’ pain medications. Pain signals from an external stimulus like a cut or from an internal broken bone are treated with many well-known treatment options for pain. Pain signals from damaged nerves which send real, but faulty signals to the brain must be […]
When suffering from Neuropathic Pain biofeedback may be a possible option. Patients who are considering opiates, which can turn out to be more of a problem than the disease – should read Andy Griffiths’ story (of TV fame) who notes the success of Biofeedback in his story (page 96ff) in the […]
NOTE: The science in this article is based upon a review of, “The Brain” by Carl Zimmer, Award Winning Biology writer, June 2011 issue of DISCOVER Magazine. It is highly recommended that you read this great article. There are no medical tools, stethoscopes or thermometers, to measure or determine objectively […]
BAR HARBOR, ME – Recent research by Sandra Rieger, Ph.D., of the MDI Biological Laboratory identifying the underlying mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, has raised the prospect that drug therapies can be developed for the treatment of this condition, which causes pain, numbness and/or tingling in the hands […]
Media Planet’s “Future of Personal Health” a publishing house in New York published the article on “Diabetic Neuropathy” written by Eugene B. Richardson, MED, MS President, Neuropathy Support Network and Waden E. Emery, M.D., FAAN, Clinical Neuromuscular Neurologist, Emery Neuroscience Center. Scroll down to see the article or click on […]
Anxiety and depression—two unique conditions that often co-exist—are common responses to chronic illnesses such as neuropathy that deserve attention and need to be screened for and managed [1]. Left untreated, these conditions can slow the treatment of each other and worsen physical and psychological disability, thus increasing neuropathy’s burden and […]
Each person’s experience varies depending on their type of Neuropathy, but in general following are the most common Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy: 1) Severe strange pains in your feet, legs, hands and other parts of the body; including “crawling insects” under your skin; 2) Balance is difficult when walking, getting […]
The most common of these is Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy. But, a cancer survivor may also develop neuropathy as a result of the cancer itself; surgery to remove the cancer; or as a result of radiation treatments. It is important for a cancer patient to work closely with their Oncologist and […]
Linda McIntosh, RN serves on the Board of Directors for the Neuropathy Support Network and is a tireless worker on behalf of neuropathy patients and health care professionals in the State of Connecticut. Linda has conducted many meetings to reach the professional community in her area, as well as neuropathy […]
March, 2009 was the beginning of a harrowing journey that drastically changed my life. It was the month I was diagnosed with stage 3 (bordering on stage 4) colon cancer. After my surgery I began adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is chemotherapy received after the cancer is surgically removed. The surgery […]
Idiopathic Neuropathy according to medical experts writing in the Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System should be considered as a disease entity in and of itself. It is recommended that this condition be diagnosed as Chronic Idiopathic Axonal Polyneuropathy or (CIAP) as a major health problem. (See reference 1.) I would […]
We receive hundreds of questions a year from neuropathy patients looking for more information. For many it is the first time they have been diagnosed. Following is one of our most common questions: “For quite some time I have been suffering from strange symptoms from numbness in my feet and […]
The majority of Neuropathy research today is focused on diabetes and obesity which is fine, but too many patients are not diabetic or obese yet carry a diagnosis of neuropathy.
A good start is to read Dr. Norman Latov’s book “Peripheral Neuropathy: When the Numbness, Weakness and Pain Won’t Stop” published by the American Academy of Neurology Press, available at Amazon for under $15. You should also read, and provide your doctor with a copy of, the article “How to […]
One issue neuropathy patient’s face is the fear that their neuropathy will grow progressively worse. Neurologists call this a progressive polyneuropathy. The truth: no one really knows if your neuropathy will worsen, stay the same or disappear. A neurologist shared that this may have more to do with the underlying […]
By Scott Berman MD, Psychiatrist and Neuropathy Patient, who is a Medical Advisor and Member of the Board of Directors of the NSN. Author of: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy From Support for Neuropathy: Facebook Chat October 6 2011 There is a strong overlap between neuropathy pain, anxiety, and depression. Each of […]
There is nothing like a good laugh to make you feel better! For years science has shown that humor is our best friend, helping the body reduce the perception of pain by releasing the natural body chemical called serotonin. This natural body chemical heals, reduces tension and calms emotions. It […]
In my forty-two year struggle with chronic neuropathy and with the loss of two great careers at the peak of productivity. The emotional toll on me could not have been greater over the years. Meeting the demands at work, playing with the children and grandchildren, doing simple routine tasks around […]
“Without IVIg, to breathe and speak simultaneously were impossible, motor functions ceased confining me to a wheelchair…” Without Intravenous Gamma Globulin Infusions (IVIg) my symptoms had become life threatening as noted by my treating Neurologist in 2005 and my quality of life was reduced to one level above insanity. Without […]
Toxic Neuropathies is a very large subject and we will deal only with a few issues in this article. In a conversation I had with Dr. Waden Emery, MD FAAN Neuromuscular Neurologist, we discussed diabetic neuropathy and the many unanswered questions about the cause, as it is now thought the culprit may […]
Retired Air Force Maj. Wes Carter joined by the members of the C-123 Veterans Association worked for years to have the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) recognize illnesses they’ve developed from exposure to Agent Orange (AO) in planes that were used for spraying AO during the Vietnam War and then for […]
Note: You may find all this information somewhat overwhelming. Therefore do not hesitate to give a copy of this document to a Service Officer from one of the veterans’ organizations. You will help educate them and give them more tools to help you. One of the most important items in […]
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