Aa
Peripheral neuropathy?
Hi,
I am 18 years old and female. I am a runner (6X per week 3 miles each time) and last fall I the initial symptom of flashes in my vision after runs. Then i noticed in winter i was tripping and on small imperfections in sidewalks or nothing at all. I would also skid on flat surfaces. Then is spring i would have tingling like water dripping/pricking going up my legs (usually when it was warm out). I also occasionally have sensitivity to touch of my clothing and dizziness upon standing. I have been to a neurologist and his first diagnosis was peripheral neuropathy (which my grandmother has - idiopathic). I had an MRI which ruled out MS. Blood work which ruled out vitamin deficiencies. Most recently i had an EMG which came back ... normal....does this mean that i dont have peripheral neuropathy? what else could cause all of this?
thanks so much!
I am 18 years old and female. I am a runner (6X per week 3 miles each time) and last fall I the initial symptom of flashes in my vision after runs. Then i noticed in winter i was tripping and on small imperfections in sidewalks or nothing at all. I would also skid on flat surfaces. Then is spring i would have tingling like water dripping/pricking going up my legs (usually when it was warm out). I also occasionally have sensitivity to touch of my clothing and dizziness upon standing. I have been to a neurologist and his first diagnosis was peripheral neuropathy (which my grandmother has - idiopathic). I had an MRI which ruled out MS. Blood work which ruled out vitamin deficiencies. Most recently i had an EMG which came back ... normal....does this mean that i dont have peripheral neuropathy? what else could cause all of this?
thanks so much!
First, get your eyes checked, becuz to miss seeing things on the pavement and those flashes, suggests an opthalmologist needs to have a look-see. Also, the business about being dizzy, you must review if you're getting enough protein, keeping your electrolytes up, and of course staying hydrated. Even tho your vitamins might be okay, it's the minerals that are sweated out of a person, altho I imagine your labwork included minerals.
Now, if anybody knows how to take care of themselves as a runner, it's you. But I have to mention a couple items for you to reconsider. From your age right on up to about mid-20s, sizes of your body do change slightly. So, not only should you have a shoe place measure your foot again, also note whatever socks you normally wear DO take up rather a lot of room in your shoe, and toenails have GOT to be kept short. But you also may also want to find a more comfortable running shoe, with more cushion. See, my thought process is that while you may have neuropathy, what's more likely is your feet are painful, and that can strain and overwhelm a body sometimes. I also have to tell you that it just might help to have a short run on one of your run days. Also, please consider setting aside convenience of running in your neighborhood sometimes and instead do your workouts on a track, much better on the body.
Peripheral neuropathy would not ordinarily make you dizzy, nor would it affect your vision. But your other symptoms MAY be part of the neuropathy process. It can make your feet rather numb so that you might indeed trip, it can cause the skin to be sensitive and tingling. Your tentative diagnosis is peripheral neuropathy, so I think you shoud go with that, and your neuro can tell you if the EMG results affect that diagnosis. I don't know since I didn't need that test to show I had it.
Now, if anybody knows how to take care of themselves as a runner, it's you. But I have to mention a couple items for you to reconsider. From your age right on up to about mid-20s, sizes of your body do change slightly. So, not only should you have a shoe place measure your foot again, also note whatever socks you normally wear DO take up rather a lot of room in your shoe, and toenails have GOT to be kept short. But you also may also want to find a more comfortable running shoe, with more cushion. See, my thought process is that while you may have neuropathy, what's more likely is your feet are painful, and that can strain and overwhelm a body sometimes. I also have to tell you that it just might help to have a short run on one of your run days. Also, please consider setting aside convenience of running in your neighborhood sometimes and instead do your workouts on a track, much better on the body.
Peripheral neuropathy would not ordinarily make you dizzy, nor would it affect your vision. But your other symptoms MAY be part of the neuropathy process. It can make your feet rather numb so that you might indeed trip, it can cause the skin to be sensitive and tingling. Your tentative diagnosis is peripheral neuropathy, so I think you shoud go with that, and your neuro can tell you if the EMG results affect that diagnosis. I don't know since I didn't need that test to show I had it.
ask someone to test you with the Romberg's test, it takes a minute. look it up on Youtube to see how it's done.
tripping over when walking is called Ataxia, I believe.
Peripheral Neuropathy is usually a symptom of an underlying condition.
tripping over when walking is called Ataxia, I believe.
Peripheral Neuropathy is usually a symptom of an underlying condition.
I did the romberg's test (closing eyes with feet together) and I do have trouble keeping balance. I also have a difficult time walking heel to toe in a straight line. ggreg i am not sure that a tight shoe would cause all of these symptoms would it? thanks again
when did the symptoms begin? do you have back/neck pain or bladder weakness/symptoms? by chance were you given the vaccine shot last year or previous years?
Romberg's test positivity seems to lead to a auto-immune "reaction" of some sort. sometimes it is associated with slight loss of vision or visual field, I reccomend to you that you do full eye examination too!
Romberg's test positivity seems to lead to a auto-immune "reaction" of some sort. sometimes it is associated with slight loss of vision or visual field, I reccomend to you that you do full eye examination too!
Sounds like an issue with your spine. I am assuming the MRI was of the head/brain. Have you ever had your cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine imaged?
Was the EMG of the upper extremities or the lower extremities or both? Any NCS (Nerve Conduction Studies) done?
Running is pretty brutal to your joints, spine and bones. You might want to reduce the times per week you are running until you get this sorted.
Was the EMG of the upper extremities or the lower extremities or both? Any NCS (Nerve Conduction Studies) done?
Running is pretty brutal to your joints, spine and bones. You might want to reduce the times per week you are running until you get this sorted.
I have had my eyes checked (first thing we did). The MRI was of my brain and upperspine/neck...i am going back for a lower back MRI, some kind of eye test (starts with a p i think), and possibly a LP. I have had vaccines in the last year and my symptoms started this past fall (just flashes then) by winter i was tripping alot, and by spring i had the tingles. The emg was of just my legs and all it showed was a slight weakness in my left foot. thanks SO much!
also the MRI showed a hyperintense spot but in a place which made them decide it was not MS
Definitely get the MRI of the lower spine, the eye test (I am not sure which test you are getting with your eyes, but make sure your retinas are examined/checked) and the LP and see where that takes you. The only thing I would add would be the NCS.
right well last year's pandemic was due in September-October and they vaccined people during the summer I reckon. The first symptoms should have developed after no longer than 2-3 weeks after the vaccine, from what you say that can't be ruled out.
I has been observed also in the past that some types of Influenza can trigger auto-immune reactions therefore also vaccination can cause this type of problems and if you look up vaccine and neurological symptoms you'll find a whole bunch of stuff, along with conjectural theories.
if the problem was triggered by the vaccine or the flu in September the only therapy would be immune-suppressants with steroids maybe but the best therapy to try would be Plasmapheresis. Only a guess based on intuition I'm not a Doctor. I doubt anyone will have you do Plasmapheresis any ways...
I has been observed also in the past that some types of Influenza can trigger auto-immune reactions therefore also vaccination can cause this type of problems and if you look up vaccine and neurological symptoms you'll find a whole bunch of stuff, along with conjectural theories.
if the problem was triggered by the vaccine or the flu in September the only therapy would be immune-suppressants with steroids maybe but the best therapy to try would be Plasmapheresis. Only a guess based on intuition I'm not a Doctor. I doubt anyone will have you do Plasmapheresis any ways...
thank you so much! i def will my VEP is next friday and not sure about the other tests. You guys have been a great help
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