OT - Nerve Damage Healed?

[caffeinatedcfo]

I am at wits end trying to figure out what is going on with my body!!! I figured I'd try my luck with this board.

About a year ago I had my first ever near fainting episode, followed by several weeks of chronic fatigue. I was tested for vitamin deficiencies, Lyme, and kidney and liver functions; all were normal. A full cardiac workup was conducted ... normal.

Following that I started experiencing neck discomfort, tingling in forearms and feet, and restless sleep. This continued a couple months but gradually resolved with chiropractic treatment, light exercise, and muscle relaxers.

In August, new symptoms presented in both knees, feet, and hands. Basically, after a couple of minutes standing, my hands would get red and mottled, knees would get red, and the top arch of my feet would get pink and begin to itch lightly. These symptoms would resolve promptly upon sitting. Nerve conduction studies discovered mild carpal tunnel in both wrists, but nothing remarkable. MRI of neck revealed some very slight degeneration at C5/C6, and brain MRI was normal.

After this past September, these same symptoms progressed to where my fingers and toes are often cold (not blanched), and randomly throughout the day (most days but not every day), the knuckles on one or the other hand with get red and itchy, the top of my scalp will get red and sense cold if I press on it, and my knees are often cold and reddish.

I can workout with the best and feel great during and after. However, the next day these symptoms will be more pronounced. I have been sleeping pretty good since switching to the new mask on 4/22, but still awaken briefly 1-3 times per night (I fall back asleep within a few minutes).

My PCP feels this is residual nerve damage that will resolve over time with CPAP. My neurologist feels there was a viral attack to my cervical spine last spring and again this is residual or referred nerve damage that may or may not resolve with time. I have a repeat MRI of my cervical spine scheduled 6/2 with a better machine.

I am angry that I can not exercise to my full ability nor can I participate in a lot of lengthy chores/projects due to the aggravation of these symptoms.

Has anyone ever dealt with or know someone who dealt with anything like this? Every healthcare pro I discuss this with is baffled.

[kaiasgram]

caff, along the way did you have any functional studies of your autonomic nervous system, like a tilt table test?

[caffeinatedcfo]

caff, along the way did you have any functional studies of your autonomic nervous system, like a tilt table test?

No. One doc mentioned autonomic as a possible explanation but said there was no way to test or treat it.

[patrick_a]

When I broke my C2 I had intense electric pluses shooting down both arms. It graduately resided over the following 6 mos. with some minor nerve discomfort in my right hand taking about 2 yrs to repair itself. So, they can repair themself.

Also, around this same timeframe I was experiencing intense itching on my feet then hands. Long story short, diag'd myself with diabetes a few years ago after running a home A1c test. Have you had one if nothing else to rule out diabetes?

[kaiasgram]

caff, along the way did you have any functional studies of your autonomic nervous system, like a tilt table test?

No. One doc mentioned autonomic as a possible explanation but said there was no way to test or treat it.

There are ways. I recognize some of the signs and symptoms you mention as possible indicators of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, often referred to as dysautonomia. There are indeed ways to study ANS functioning, and there are treatments, albeit imperfect ones. But it is very difficult to find a neurologist who has an interest in this area and a willingness to do a diagnostic workup. Feel free to post again or PM me if you want some links to resources on this subject. I'm currently trying to get a neurologist on board to help with my already documented (in 2000) autonomic instability, which has significantly worsened in the last year and has not been helped by my PAP therapy.

[caffeinatedcfo]

Also, around this same timeframe I was experiencing intense itching on my feet then hands. Long story short, diag'd myself with diabetes a few years ago after running a home A1c test. Have you had one if nothing else to rule out diabetes?

I was tested for this last year as well. Results were negative.

[Todzo]

Hi caffeinatedcfo,

You should check out the Nijmegen Questionnaire[1].

I started working with a personal trainer this winter. We noticed some arthritis in my knees.

I also noticed that working at the fitness center made my tendency to over breath more accentuated. As well I have noticed that doing exercise I often tend to over breath.

If I did not catch the over breathing as I did the hours on the treadmill or cycle to make my knees better, it would tend to make them worse. I suppose if your circulation is bad and oxygen transport issues exist for any blood that does get to the joints, the joints tend to die under stress. So it seemed to be for me.

In terms of what is going on with you I think a tendency to over breath is likely. For me it is a tendency to react to stress by breathing more. I am OK until I think about something that upsets me. But being upset I do not notice that I am doing this – until – usually a stuffy nose (or other symptom) remind me to breath more appropriate for my current level of exertion.

PM me if you would like to know how I deal with my tendency to over breath.

Have a great Sunday and week!

Todzo

[1]: Nijmegen Questionnaire :

Rate the following where: Never=0 Rarely=1 Sometimes=2 Often=3 Very Often=4

__ Chest pain
__ Feeling tense
__ Blurred vision
__ Dizzy spells
__ Feeling confused
__ Faster or deeper breathing
__ Short of breath
__ Tight feelings in chest
__ Bloated feeling in stomach
__ Tingling fingers
__ Unable to breathe deeply
__ Stiff fingers or arms
__ Tight feelings round mouth
__ Cold hands or feet
__ Palpitations
__ Feeling of anxiety

___ TOTAL (See instructions below)

A score of over 23 out of 64 suggests a positive diagnosis of hyperventilation syndrome.

[NateS]

I am at wits end trying to figure out what is going on with my body!!! I figured I'd try my luck with this board.

About a year ago I had my first ever near fainting episode, followed by several weeks of chronic fatigue. I was tested for vitamin deficiencies, Lyme, and kidney and liver functions; all were normal. A full cardiac workup was conducted ... normal.

Following that I started experiencing neck discomfort, tingling in forearms and feet, and restless sleep. This continued a couple months but gradually resolved with chiropractic treatment, light exercise, and muscle relaxers.

In August, new symptoms presented in both knees, feet, and hands. Basically, after a couple of minutes standing, my hands would get red and mottled, knees would get red, and the top arch of my feet would get pink and begin to itch lightly. These symptoms would resolve promptly upon sitting. Nerve conduction studies discovered mild carpal tunnel in both wrists, but nothing remarkable. MRI of neck revealed some very slight degeneration at C5/C6, and brain MRI was normal.

After this past September, these same symptoms progressed to where my fingers and toes are often cold (not blanched), and randomly throughout the day (most days but not every day), the knuckles on one or the other hand with get red and itchy, the top of my scalp will get red and sense cold if I press on it, and my knees are often cold and reddish.

I can workout with the best and feel great during and after. However, the next day these symptoms will be more pronounced. I have been sleeping pretty good since switching to the new mask on 4/22, but still awaken briefly 1-3 times per night (I fall back asleep within a few minutes).

My PCP feels this is residual nerve damage that will resolve over time with CPAP. My neurologist feels there was a viral attack to my cervical spine last spring and again this is residual or referred nerve damage that may or may not resolve with time. I have a repeat MRI of my cervical spine scheduled 6/2 with a better machine.

I am angry that I can not exercise to my full ability nor can I participate in a lot of lengthy chores/projects due to the aggravation of these symptoms.

Has anyone ever dealt with or know someone who dealt with anything like this? Every healthcare pro I discuss this with is baffled.

Any chance you have been on long-term statin therapy?

Regards, Nate

[caffeinatedcfo]

Any chance you have been on long-term statin therapy?

No, but thanks for the thought. My cholesterol and cardiovascular system have been top notch forever. They were put to the test again this year just to be safe.

I tell ya, it pisses me off because I can work out like a maniac, but then I pay for it the next day. Symptoms are not as bad with light exercise, but this damn CPAP therapy has been giving me my old energy levels back!

[purple]

If you can tolerate a nerve conduction test, you are a tough guy, like I thought you were.

[caffeinatedcfo]

If you can tolerate a nerve conduction test, you are a tough guy, like I thought you were.

You are too funny Purple! Yeah that is one fun test ... I had both arms, hands, legs, and feet done in one visit.

I've actually been considering acupuncture lately. Sometimes, there is no clinical answer or therapy and perhaps Chinese Medicine will provide relief.

[herefishy]

I'm a big fan of accupuncture - but try to find one who comes recommended - I had lots of only fairly effective treatments before I found a practitioner who left me with no pain whatsoever.

[Woody]

This may not apply to your case but I wanted to mention it. Diabetic's with the nerve dammage called diabetic
neuropathie ofton get a lot of help from the supliment ALA . But when it does work it takes a long time perhaps
a couple of months to start to see any help.

[Stormynights]

I had carpotunnel so bad several years ago that I had to sleep sitting up. Not lying in a recliner but sitting up. I had acupuncture on my wrists and it fixed me. I don't have any ideas about your condition. I just thought I would let you know that acupuncture can work at least for some.

[mgaggie]

Haven't travelled overseas, and caught some exotic disease?

Sorry I can't think of anything to help.