These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 08/31/1999]
Question: 48 yo female, post-menopausal taking hormone treatment.
Coincident with ceasing (6 mos ago) moderate-heavy alcohol use experienced
weight gain & edema (legs, with peripheral neuropathy in feet.
Vascual/heart/rheumatoid causes eliminated with all blood tests nornal
(including food poisoning and tick bites). Dirutetiocs for
high blood pressure reduced edema, but neuropathy is maintained.
Currently taking neurotonin, which alleviates some sysmptoms,
but at cost of reduced mental functining (600mg/day).
Causal Diagnosis is still unknown. Another direction?
Answer: I need to know what tests have been done, I suspect the edema and neuropathy are tied together. Beri-Beri can do this as well as some other uncommon diagnosis. Get back to me. But, you need a thyroid function, sedimentation rate and an MRI of your lower spine, at least.
Medication Causing Neuropathy [posted 7/16/98]
Question: Please tell me if there is any chance that a medication can cause
nueropathy. Tell me about mixiletine and amitriptyline.
Answer: Mexilitine has about a 2% incidence of numbness. Peripheral neuropathy would be very rare.
Not seen with amitriptyline.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Question: I have been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, which is giving me considerable pain in my feet. I can best describe the pain as a burning, tingling pain. I have an appointment in about a month. Is there anything I can do for myself to ease the pain until I see a neurologist?
Answer: Peripheral neuropathy is extremely painful, especially at night. Sometimes, taking antihistamines (like Benadryl) available over the counter with Tylenol and aspirin can be effective. Peripheral neuropathy tends to be the most painful at night. This may help until prescription drugs are given.
