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What Causes Num XXXXXXX In My Hands And Feet Espesally
Question: What causes num XXXXXXX in my hands and feet espesally at night and whilw sleeping
What causes num XXXXXXX in my hands and feet espesally at night and whilw sleeping
Brief Answer:
workup of neuropathy needs to be completed
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Many thanks for your question on what appears to be a condition of potential NEUROPATHY.
Numbness in the hands and feet should typically compel a full and complete workup for NEUROPATHY in any patient. There is no real distinction when it comes to neuropathy of day vs. nighttime except possibly for the disorder known as RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME which almost by definition occurs exclusively PRIOR to the onset of sleep. However, you are not complaining of anything having to do with this entity.
Numbness in the hands and feet can occur due to the following conditions:
1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Vit. B12 deficiency, Folate deficiency, Vit. D deficiency
4. Medication side effects
5. Certain infectious conditions
6. Demyelinating conditions such as heavy metal toxicity
7. CIDP although in your case you have not mentioned anything about weakness so maybe not so much a chance but it should be considered in any patient complaining of sensory funkiness in the hands and feet
8. Damage by Excessive use of Alcohol
9. Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Sjogren's, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vasculitis (and other processes)
10. High uric acide levels in blood
11. Gout
12. Spinal cord compressions (unlikely without other more aggressive symptoms of both motor and other sensory disturbances).
13. Amyloidosis
14. Sarcoidosis
(AND MANY MORE-- MANY MANY MORE!)
And so the above list only represents PARTIAL possibilities. What would help narrow the odds of some of these unusual zebras of diseases is a solid NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION TO INCLUDE history and evolution of the symptoms.
And so, I hope you have a good neurologist who is ABLE and WILLING to work you up and look for the specific reason or reasons for your condition because if you know the diagnosis or at least a good list of problems you possess that could be related to these neuropathic symptoms then, FINAL DIAGNOSIS and treatment become m,uch easier to envision and implement.
If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
This query required 28 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
workup of neuropathy needs to be completed
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Many thanks for your question on what appears to be a condition of potential NEUROPATHY.
Numbness in the hands and feet should typically compel a full and complete workup for NEUROPATHY in any patient. There is no real distinction when it comes to neuropathy of day vs. nighttime except possibly for the disorder known as RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME which almost by definition occurs exclusively PRIOR to the onset of sleep. However, you are not complaining of anything having to do with this entity.
Numbness in the hands and feet can occur due to the following conditions:
1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Vit. B12 deficiency, Folate deficiency, Vit. D deficiency
4. Medication side effects
5. Certain infectious conditions
6. Demyelinating conditions such as heavy metal toxicity
7. CIDP although in your case you have not mentioned anything about weakness so maybe not so much a chance but it should be considered in any patient complaining of sensory funkiness in the hands and feet
8. Damage by Excessive use of Alcohol
9. Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Sjogren's, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vasculitis (and other processes)
10. High uric acide levels in blood
11. Gout
12. Spinal cord compressions (unlikely without other more aggressive symptoms of both motor and other sensory disturbances).
13. Amyloidosis
14. Sarcoidosis
(AND MANY MORE-- MANY MANY MORE!)
And so the above list only represents PARTIAL possibilities. What would help narrow the odds of some of these unusual zebras of diseases is a solid NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION TO INCLUDE history and evolution of the symptoms.
And so, I hope you have a good neurologist who is ABLE and WILLING to work you up and look for the specific reason or reasons for your condition because if you know the diagnosis or at least a good list of problems you possess that could be related to these neuropathic symptoms then, FINAL DIAGNOSIS and treatment become m,uch easier to envision and implement.
If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
This query required 28 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
workup of neuropathy needs to be completed
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Many thanks for your question on what appears to be a condition of potential NEUROPATHY.
Numbness in the hands and feet should typically compel a full and complete workup for NEUROPATHY in any patient. There is no real distinction when it comes to neuropathy of day vs. nighttime except possibly for the disorder known as RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME which almost by definition occurs exclusively PRIOR to the onset of sleep. However, you are not complaining of anything having to do with this entity.
Numbness in the hands and feet can occur due to the following conditions:
1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Vit. B12 deficiency, Folate deficiency, Vit. D deficiency
4. Medication side effects
5. Certain infectious conditions
6. Demyelinating conditions such as heavy metal toxicity
7. CIDP although in your case you have not mentioned anything about weakness so maybe not so much a chance but it should be considered in any patient complaining of sensory funkiness in the hands and feet
8. Damage by Excessive use of Alcohol
9. Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Sjogren's, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vasculitis (and other processes)
10. High uric acide levels in blood
11. Gout
12. Spinal cord compressions (unlikely without other more aggressive symptoms of both motor and other sensory disturbances).
13. Amyloidosis
14. Sarcoidosis
(AND MANY MORE-- MANY MANY MORE!)
And so the above list only represents PARTIAL possibilities. What would help narrow the odds of some of these unusual zebras of diseases is a solid NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION TO INCLUDE history and evolution of the symptoms.
And so, I hope you have a good neurologist who is ABLE and WILLING to work you up and look for the specific reason or reasons for your condition because if you know the diagnosis or at least a good list of problems you possess that could be related to these neuropathic symptoms then, FINAL DIAGNOSIS and treatment become m,uch easier to envision and implement.
If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
This query required 28 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
workup of neuropathy needs to be completed
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Many thanks for your question on what appears to be a condition of potential NEUROPATHY.
Numbness in the hands and feet should typically compel a full and complete workup for NEUROPATHY in any patient. There is no real distinction when it comes to neuropathy of day vs. nighttime except possibly for the disorder known as RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME which almost by definition occurs exclusively PRIOR to the onset of sleep. However, you are not complaining of anything having to do with this entity.
Numbness in the hands and feet can occur due to the following conditions:
1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Vit. B12 deficiency, Folate deficiency, Vit. D deficiency
4. Medication side effects
5. Certain infectious conditions
6. Demyelinating conditions such as heavy metal toxicity
7. CIDP although in your case you have not mentioned anything about weakness so maybe not so much a chance but it should be considered in any patient complaining of sensory funkiness in the hands and feet
8. Damage by Excessive use of Alcohol
9. Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Sjogren's, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vasculitis (and other processes)
10. High uric acide levels in blood
11. Gout
12. Spinal cord compressions (unlikely without other more aggressive symptoms of both motor and other sensory disturbances).
13. Amyloidosis
14. Sarcoidosis
(AND MANY MORE-- MANY MANY MORE!)
And so the above list only represents PARTIAL possibilities. What would help narrow the odds of some of these unusual zebras of diseases is a solid NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION TO INCLUDE history and evolution of the symptoms.
And so, I hope you have a good neurologist who is ABLE and WILLING to work you up and look for the specific reason or reasons for your condition because if you know the diagnosis or at least a good list of problems you possess that could be related to these neuropathic symptoms then, FINAL DIAGNOSIS and treatment become m,uch easier to envision and implement.
If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
This query required 28 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I appreciate your answer. I see there are many possible causes However It is difficult to find a neuralagist here in north Wis. What do you think of herbal supplements for this condition ? I have been on allopurinol for years now supposedly for gout I rarely drink (used to) any suggestions ? I am on various blood thiners (elliquis) Had heart attack 6 years ago, almost died (Heperin allergic Closed my bypasses The numbness is quite pronounced in my lower left leg and foot ???
I appreciate your answer. I see there are many possible causes However It is difficult to find a neuralagist here in north Wis. What do you think of herbal supplements for this condition ? I have been on allopurinol for years now supposedly for gout I rarely drink (used to) any suggestions ? I am on various blood thiners (elliquis) Had heart attack 6 years ago, almost died (Heperin allergic Closed my bypasses The numbness is quite pronounced in my lower left leg and foot ???
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis needed before anyone can legitimately opine on ANY treatment
Detailed Answer:
Good morning from XXXXXXX OHIO.....(not too terribly far from Northern Wisconsin)...food for thought if you like the scenic drive along the lakes of Michigan and XXXXXXX (maybe even Superior if you're REALLY far north!).... :)
Thank you for those clarifications on your condition. BTW, your description is that of a PERIPHERAL SENSORY NEUROPATHY (don't know if there is a motor component or not since I'd need to examine you to make that determination) but perhaps you already knew the name of for what we tag as numbness in the extremities. I don't know if you noticed that GOUT was #11 on my list of possible causes for limb neuropathy and HIGH URIC ACID LEVELS was #10. And just to be sure, the numbering of my list isn't necessarily any sort of rank order of most to least common or anything like that....it's just what I could think of from the top of my head as I was making a list of the possible explanations to your condition. Just in case anybody ever decides to come up with a REALITY TV show for doctors to "Guess The Disease!"....I'd be in practice! :0
At any rate, if you've been diagnosed and confirmed to have gout (and if you used to drink alcohol in any abundant quantity...even if no longer) and you've been on ALLOPURINOL then, I believe the explanation to what may be causing your symptoms is potentially closer at hand (no pun intended) than you think. Allopurinol is recognized as causing peripheral neuropathy in a small percentage of patients (publication of a patient in 1993 with confirmed allopurinol induced peripheral neuropathy).
If you were ever on COLCHICINE for any length of time then, chances could be a bit better that some of your neuropathy could be due to that medication as well. Take a look at the following TABLE of drugs that are known to be associated more highly associated with CAUSING NEUROPATHIES and see if any of these were ever in your past for any length of time or are things that you are currently taking:
https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medications-that-Can-Cause-Peripheral-Neuropathy.pdf
Still, if I were your treating neurologist I would want to perform a more indepth study of other things that could be lacking such as the B12, Vit. D, and THYROID status since those are frequently also associated with other causes of neuropathy. BTW, anticoagulants such as heparin also cause neuropathy. I understand you were only on it for a short time probably since you said you have an allergy.....but that's another drug in there to think about.
If the numbness is most pronounced in the left leg and foot then, that could mean one of 2 things....one is that you may have a METABOLIC CAUSE for your neuropathy since most of those reasons affect LOWER extremities more aggressively than the uppers.....or you also could have more vascular flow issues in your left leg..especially when you tell me there are heart bypasses that are blocked or were blocked....so another test that could be conceivably performed would be that of a Doppler flow study on the left leg to see if there is low blood circulation that could be causing more pronounced symptoms of neuropathy compared to the right leg. Because that is potentially a correctable condition and may make things better if fixed....at least in one leg.
The question of herbal supplements......that is a wide topic to discuss.....I'm no expert in that field of study which is not something we were ever taught in medical school and still remains elusive to this day since it is a whole number brand of pharmacology that needs to be thoroughly explored. What I can tell you through experience and research over the years is that "herbal" seems to be something that attracts a lot of patients (and perhaps doctors as well) since it some how conveys a meaning of "Natural"...which some how is interpreted as MORE HEALTHY, LESS ARTIFICIAL, NATURAL, etc. These are all good things and I myself am a huge proponent of a few vitamins (in particular B12, C, and D) but caution must be exercised since I've seen the nasty side of Herbal medications as well such as St. John's Wort, Gingko Biloba, Butturbur just to name a few.
In order to give you an intelligent OPINION on what herbals could do for you as opposed to traditional or Western medications I would need a diagnosis or more to the point, THE CAUSE of your neuropathy. Then, I could opine more specifically if you would tell me WHICH HERBAL you were thinking about using for something like this....Remember, medicine should always be practiced in the context of TREATING A CAUSE OR CONDITION....If you've not been more completely worked up for what's going on then, that should be done first.....then, treatments and the consideration of things along the lines of herbal medications or treatments looked into more seriously.
Once again, I believe the most likely cause(s) to what SOUNDS to be a PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY are going to be found in your history of autoimmune diseases of GOUT, ALCOHOL USE from the past, MEDICATION side effects, and then, possible wild card players such as B12 or D deficiencies.
I've treated several patients in the past with GOUT and kept them stable for a long time on HIGH DOSE VITAMIN C before they had to go on to things such as allopurinol, colchicine, and now of course, the newer generation of biological treatments. I'm not suggesting anything in the way of gout treatments because that's not my speciality but I'm simply raising the possibility that high dose Vitamin C could have a role in saving some people from other more synthesized drugs for something like gout. Of course, diet and lifestyle have a lot to do with successful treatment of gout (as you well know).
I've also had LIMITED SUCCESS in some patients using a nutritional supplement called ALPHA LIPOIC ACID in cases of neuropathy. You can find that in any pharmacy or grocery store and in some patients has given some degree of relief. But again, I emphasize the importance of having a diagnosis to work with in hand before embarking specific treatments.
Once again, If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
And don't forget, XXXXXXX is not THAT far from the Badger State...just for comparison I have a patient who was asking questions on this network as well coming in today from Connecticut to see me for a visit....food for thought.....
This query required 88 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Diagnosis needed before anyone can legitimately opine on ANY treatment
Detailed Answer:
Good morning from XXXXXXX OHIO.....(not too terribly far from Northern Wisconsin)...food for thought if you like the scenic drive along the lakes of Michigan and XXXXXXX (maybe even Superior if you're REALLY far north!).... :)
Thank you for those clarifications on your condition. BTW, your description is that of a PERIPHERAL SENSORY NEUROPATHY (don't know if there is a motor component or not since I'd need to examine you to make that determination) but perhaps you already knew the name of for what we tag as numbness in the extremities. I don't know if you noticed that GOUT was #11 on my list of possible causes for limb neuropathy and HIGH URIC ACID LEVELS was #10. And just to be sure, the numbering of my list isn't necessarily any sort of rank order of most to least common or anything like that....it's just what I could think of from the top of my head as I was making a list of the possible explanations to your condition. Just in case anybody ever decides to come up with a REALITY TV show for doctors to "Guess The Disease!"....I'd be in practice! :0
At any rate, if you've been diagnosed and confirmed to have gout (and if you used to drink alcohol in any abundant quantity...even if no longer) and you've been on ALLOPURINOL then, I believe the explanation to what may be causing your symptoms is potentially closer at hand (no pun intended) than you think. Allopurinol is recognized as causing peripheral neuropathy in a small percentage of patients (publication of a patient in 1993 with confirmed allopurinol induced peripheral neuropathy).
If you were ever on COLCHICINE for any length of time then, chances could be a bit better that some of your neuropathy could be due to that medication as well. Take a look at the following TABLE of drugs that are known to be associated more highly associated with CAUSING NEUROPATHIES and see if any of these were ever in your past for any length of time or are things that you are currently taking:
https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medications-that-Can-Cause-Peripheral-Neuropathy.pdf
Still, if I were your treating neurologist I would want to perform a more indepth study of other things that could be lacking such as the B12, Vit. D, and THYROID status since those are frequently also associated with other causes of neuropathy. BTW, anticoagulants such as heparin also cause neuropathy. I understand you were only on it for a short time probably since you said you have an allergy.....but that's another drug in there to think about.
If the numbness is most pronounced in the left leg and foot then, that could mean one of 2 things....one is that you may have a METABOLIC CAUSE for your neuropathy since most of those reasons affect LOWER extremities more aggressively than the uppers.....or you also could have more vascular flow issues in your left leg..especially when you tell me there are heart bypasses that are blocked or were blocked....so another test that could be conceivably performed would be that of a Doppler flow study on the left leg to see if there is low blood circulation that could be causing more pronounced symptoms of neuropathy compared to the right leg. Because that is potentially a correctable condition and may make things better if fixed....at least in one leg.
The question of herbal supplements......that is a wide topic to discuss.....I'm no expert in that field of study which is not something we were ever taught in medical school and still remains elusive to this day since it is a whole number brand of pharmacology that needs to be thoroughly explored. What I can tell you through experience and research over the years is that "herbal" seems to be something that attracts a lot of patients (and perhaps doctors as well) since it some how conveys a meaning of "Natural"...which some how is interpreted as MORE HEALTHY, LESS ARTIFICIAL, NATURAL, etc. These are all good things and I myself am a huge proponent of a few vitamins (in particular B12, C, and D) but caution must be exercised since I've seen the nasty side of Herbal medications as well such as St. John's Wort, Gingko Biloba, Butturbur just to name a few.
In order to give you an intelligent OPINION on what herbals could do for you as opposed to traditional or Western medications I would need a diagnosis or more to the point, THE CAUSE of your neuropathy. Then, I could opine more specifically if you would tell me WHICH HERBAL you were thinking about using for something like this....Remember, medicine should always be practiced in the context of TREATING A CAUSE OR CONDITION....If you've not been more completely worked up for what's going on then, that should be done first.....then, treatments and the consideration of things along the lines of herbal medications or treatments looked into more seriously.
Once again, I believe the most likely cause(s) to what SOUNDS to be a PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY are going to be found in your history of autoimmune diseases of GOUT, ALCOHOL USE from the past, MEDICATION side effects, and then, possible wild card players such as B12 or D deficiencies.
I've treated several patients in the past with GOUT and kept them stable for a long time on HIGH DOSE VITAMIN C before they had to go on to things such as allopurinol, colchicine, and now of course, the newer generation of biological treatments. I'm not suggesting anything in the way of gout treatments because that's not my speciality but I'm simply raising the possibility that high dose Vitamin C could have a role in saving some people from other more synthesized drugs for something like gout. Of course, diet and lifestyle have a lot to do with successful treatment of gout (as you well know).
I've also had LIMITED SUCCESS in some patients using a nutritional supplement called ALPHA LIPOIC ACID in cases of neuropathy. You can find that in any pharmacy or grocery store and in some patients has given some degree of relief. But again, I emphasize the importance of having a diagnosis to work with in hand before embarking specific treatments.
Once again, If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
And don't forget, XXXXXXX is not THAT far from the Badger State...just for comparison I have a patient who was asking questions on this network as well coming in today from Connecticut to see me for a visit....food for thought.....
This query required 88 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis needed before anyone can legitimately opine on ANY treatment
Detailed Answer:
Good morning from XXXXXXX OHIO.....(not too terribly far from Northern Wisconsin)...food for thought if you like the scenic drive along the lakes of Michigan and XXXXXXX (maybe even Superior if you're REALLY far north!).... :)
Thank you for those clarifications on your condition. BTW, your description is that of a PERIPHERAL SENSORY NEUROPATHY (don't know if there is a motor component or not since I'd need to examine you to make that determination) but perhaps you already knew the name of for what we tag as numbness in the extremities. I don't know if you noticed that GOUT was #11 on my list of possible causes for limb neuropathy and HIGH URIC ACID LEVELS was #10. And just to be sure, the numbering of my list isn't necessarily any sort of rank order of most to least common or anything like that....it's just what I could think of from the top of my head as I was making a list of the possible explanations to your condition. Just in case anybody ever decides to come up with a REALITY TV show for doctors to "Guess The Disease!"....I'd be in practice! :0
At any rate, if you've been diagnosed and confirmed to have gout (and if you used to drink alcohol in any abundant quantity...even if no longer) and you've been on ALLOPURINOL then, I believe the explanation to what may be causing your symptoms is potentially closer at hand (no pun intended) than you think. Allopurinol is recognized as causing peripheral neuropathy in a small percentage of patients (publication of a patient in 1993 with confirmed allopurinol induced peripheral neuropathy).
If you were ever on COLCHICINE for any length of time then, chances could be a bit better that some of your neuropathy could be due to that medication as well. Take a look at the following TABLE of drugs that are known to be associated more highly associated with CAUSING NEUROPATHIES and see if any of these were ever in your past for any length of time or are things that you are currently taking:
https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medications-that-Can-Cause-Peripheral-Neuropathy.pdf
Still, if I were your treating neurologist I would want to perform a more indepth study of other things that could be lacking such as the B12, Vit. D, and THYROID status since those are frequently also associated with other causes of neuropathy. BTW, anticoagulants such as heparin also cause neuropathy. I understand you were only on it for a short time probably since you said you have an allergy.....but that's another drug in there to think about.
If the numbness is most pronounced in the left leg and foot then, that could mean one of 2 things....one is that you may have a METABOLIC CAUSE for your neuropathy since most of those reasons affect LOWER extremities more aggressively than the uppers.....or you also could have more vascular flow issues in your left leg..especially when you tell me there are heart bypasses that are blocked or were blocked....so another test that could be conceivably performed would be that of a Doppler flow study on the left leg to see if there is low blood circulation that could be causing more pronounced symptoms of neuropathy compared to the right leg. Because that is potentially a correctable condition and may make things better if fixed....at least in one leg.
The question of herbal supplements......that is a wide topic to discuss.....I'm no expert in that field of study which is not something we were ever taught in medical school and still remains elusive to this day since it is a whole number brand of pharmacology that needs to be thoroughly explored. What I can tell you through experience and research over the years is that "herbal" seems to be something that attracts a lot of patients (and perhaps doctors as well) since it some how conveys a meaning of "Natural"...which some how is interpreted as MORE HEALTHY, LESS ARTIFICIAL, NATURAL, etc. These are all good things and I myself am a huge proponent of a few vitamins (in particular B12, C, and D) but caution must be exercised since I've seen the nasty side of Herbal medications as well such as St. John's Wort, Gingko Biloba, Butturbur just to name a few.
In order to give you an intelligent OPINION on what herbals could do for you as opposed to traditional or Western medications I would need a diagnosis or more to the point, THE CAUSE of your neuropathy. Then, I could opine more specifically if you would tell me WHICH HERBAL you were thinking about using for something like this....Remember, medicine should always be practiced in the context of TREATING A CAUSE OR CONDITION....If you've not been more completely worked up for what's going on then, that should be done first.....then, treatments and the consideration of things along the lines of herbal medications or treatments looked into more seriously.
Once again, I believe the most likely cause(s) to what SOUNDS to be a PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY are going to be found in your history of autoimmune diseases of GOUT, ALCOHOL USE from the past, MEDICATION side effects, and then, possible wild card players such as B12 or D deficiencies.
I've treated several patients in the past with GOUT and kept them stable for a long time on HIGH DOSE VITAMIN C before they had to go on to things such as allopurinol, colchicine, and now of course, the newer generation of biological treatments. I'm not suggesting anything in the way of gout treatments because that's not my speciality but I'm simply raising the possibility that high dose Vitamin C could have a role in saving some people from other more synthesized drugs for something like gout. Of course, diet and lifestyle have a lot to do with successful treatment of gout (as you well know).
I've also had LIMITED SUCCESS in some patients using a nutritional supplement called ALPHA LIPOIC ACID in cases of neuropathy. You can find that in any pharmacy or grocery store and in some patients has given some degree of relief. But again, I emphasize the importance of having a diagnosis to work with in hand before embarking specific treatments.
Once again, If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
And don't forget, XXXXXXX is not THAT far from the Badger State...just for comparison I have a patient who was asking questions on this network as well coming in today from Connecticut to see me for a visit....food for thought.....
This query required 88 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Diagnosis needed before anyone can legitimately opine on ANY treatment
Detailed Answer:
Good morning from XXXXXXX OHIO.....(not too terribly far from Northern Wisconsin)...food for thought if you like the scenic drive along the lakes of Michigan and XXXXXXX (maybe even Superior if you're REALLY far north!).... :)
Thank you for those clarifications on your condition. BTW, your description is that of a PERIPHERAL SENSORY NEUROPATHY (don't know if there is a motor component or not since I'd need to examine you to make that determination) but perhaps you already knew the name of for what we tag as numbness in the extremities. I don't know if you noticed that GOUT was #11 on my list of possible causes for limb neuropathy and HIGH URIC ACID LEVELS was #10. And just to be sure, the numbering of my list isn't necessarily any sort of rank order of most to least common or anything like that....it's just what I could think of from the top of my head as I was making a list of the possible explanations to your condition. Just in case anybody ever decides to come up with a REALITY TV show for doctors to "Guess The Disease!"....I'd be in practice! :0
At any rate, if you've been diagnosed and confirmed to have gout (and if you used to drink alcohol in any abundant quantity...even if no longer) and you've been on ALLOPURINOL then, I believe the explanation to what may be causing your symptoms is potentially closer at hand (no pun intended) than you think. Allopurinol is recognized as causing peripheral neuropathy in a small percentage of patients (publication of a patient in 1993 with confirmed allopurinol induced peripheral neuropathy).
If you were ever on COLCHICINE for any length of time then, chances could be a bit better that some of your neuropathy could be due to that medication as well. Take a look at the following TABLE of drugs that are known to be associated more highly associated with CAUSING NEUROPATHIES and see if any of these were ever in your past for any length of time or are things that you are currently taking:
https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medications-that-Can-Cause-Peripheral-Neuropathy.pdf
Still, if I were your treating neurologist I would want to perform a more indepth study of other things that could be lacking such as the B12, Vit. D, and THYROID status since those are frequently also associated with other causes of neuropathy. BTW, anticoagulants such as heparin also cause neuropathy. I understand you were only on it for a short time probably since you said you have an allergy.....but that's another drug in there to think about.
If the numbness is most pronounced in the left leg and foot then, that could mean one of 2 things....one is that you may have a METABOLIC CAUSE for your neuropathy since most of those reasons affect LOWER extremities more aggressively than the uppers.....or you also could have more vascular flow issues in your left leg..especially when you tell me there are heart bypasses that are blocked or were blocked....so another test that could be conceivably performed would be that of a Doppler flow study on the left leg to see if there is low blood circulation that could be causing more pronounced symptoms of neuropathy compared to the right leg. Because that is potentially a correctable condition and may make things better if fixed....at least in one leg.
The question of herbal supplements......that is a wide topic to discuss.....I'm no expert in that field of study which is not something we were ever taught in medical school and still remains elusive to this day since it is a whole number brand of pharmacology that needs to be thoroughly explored. What I can tell you through experience and research over the years is that "herbal" seems to be something that attracts a lot of patients (and perhaps doctors as well) since it some how conveys a meaning of "Natural"...which some how is interpreted as MORE HEALTHY, LESS ARTIFICIAL, NATURAL, etc. These are all good things and I myself am a huge proponent of a few vitamins (in particular B12, C, and D) but caution must be exercised since I've seen the nasty side of Herbal medications as well such as St. John's Wort, Gingko Biloba, Butturbur just to name a few.
In order to give you an intelligent OPINION on what herbals could do for you as opposed to traditional or Western medications I would need a diagnosis or more to the point, THE CAUSE of your neuropathy. Then, I could opine more specifically if you would tell me WHICH HERBAL you were thinking about using for something like this....Remember, medicine should always be practiced in the context of TREATING A CAUSE OR CONDITION....If you've not been more completely worked up for what's going on then, that should be done first.....then, treatments and the consideration of things along the lines of herbal medications or treatments looked into more seriously.
Once again, I believe the most likely cause(s) to what SOUNDS to be a PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY are going to be found in your history of autoimmune diseases of GOUT, ALCOHOL USE from the past, MEDICATION side effects, and then, possible wild card players such as B12 or D deficiencies.
I've treated several patients in the past with GOUT and kept them stable for a long time on HIGH DOSE VITAMIN C before they had to go on to things such as allopurinol, colchicine, and now of course, the newer generation of biological treatments. I'm not suggesting anything in the way of gout treatments because that's not my speciality but I'm simply raising the possibility that high dose Vitamin C could have a role in saving some people from other more synthesized drugs for something like gout. Of course, diet and lifestyle have a lot to do with successful treatment of gout (as you well know).
I've also had LIMITED SUCCESS in some patients using a nutritional supplement called ALPHA LIPOIC ACID in cases of neuropathy. You can find that in any pharmacy or grocery store and in some patients has given some degree of relief. But again, I emphasize the importance of having a diagnosis to work with in hand before embarking specific treatments.
Once again, If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope these IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do or ask about in terms of getting a good workup started. First, you need a good neurologist who is interested in your history, how this all got started, and how it's progressed over the past 6-12 months.
And don't forget, XXXXXXX is not THAT far from the Badger State...just for comparison I have a patient who was asking questions on this network as well coming in today from Connecticut to see me for a visit....food for thought.....
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Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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