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Can a MRI detect the cause of peripheral neuropathy

Sent to Health Experts September 14 2006 at 3:51 AM
   

I have been told that I have peripheral neuropathy and have been give neurotin as a prescription, starting out with 1oo mg building to 300 mgs, which is where I am now. I really want to know the cause of this and find out if I can stop this from progressing. Can a MRI detect tell exactly the cause of this. I always feel like the amount of discomfort at night is sometime different due to the pari of shoes that I wear that day. Should I see a foot specialists or stay with the neurologist?

 

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Female , Age: 63

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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September 14 2006 at 4:12 AM (20 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi

Your mediaction will help with the unpleasant symptoms you have, but if no treatable cause - diabetes, vitamin deficincy etc , has been detected then your condition is likely to progress.

An MRI is not a useful test as the problem is in the peripheral nerves not the spinal cord or nerve roots.

The most relvant test is nerve conduction studies, that I expect you have had.

Stick with your neurologist.

AI

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Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
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September 19 2006 at 3:14 PM (5 days and 11 hours later)
         
Reply to Alexander Irvine's Post: I feel like to you told me what I already knew. What causes peripheral neuropathy and what can help..sleeping on your side, feet up/down, chinese medicine practices..it is hard to accept this when now one has told me how this occurs, what else could ease or hold the neuropathy where it is. How fast can it progress, and what are some long term issues this causes....I also do not think there should be another charge, since I feel my first answer was vague to me...as no one will explain this other than oh this is what you have.
Tks,
Claire Fryer
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September 19 2006 at 11:07 PM (7 hours and 52 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi

There are numerous causes but the most common one is "idiopathic" - no cause identified.

Other causes include diabetes , underative thyroid, B12 deficency, renal failue - things that you will have had tested. In my experience this condition progresses over years - after 3-5 years can start to involve the hands too.

I'm quite happy for you to come back to me re further info - it is unusual to fully answe a patients question in one reply.

AI
Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
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September 20 2006 at 8:06 AM (8 hours and 59 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
Reply to Alexander Irvine's Post: Thanks, after this hopefully I will have all the info I need. You have been extremely helpful with information. I have been tested for diabetes and B12 deficiency....I would think for underactive thyroad, however I will ask. How is one tested for renal failure?

Thank you, glad I submitted my question.
cgcg
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September 20 2006 at 8:10 AM (3 minutes and 57 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi

Renal insufficiency sufficient to cause peripheral neuropathy would be evident on a blood test (BUN).

If there's anything else you want clarified let me know.

AI

Thankyou if I have answered your question please click accept. Feedback/Bonus is appreciated.Please feel free to ask if anything is not clear.
Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
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September 20 2006 at 3:45 PM (7 hours and 35 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
Reply to Alexander Irvine's Post: okay, after this one I should have all the info I need. So, if one in low in renal deficiency as well as thyriod, what happens then? Also, it seems that sleeping on my side eases my much discomfort at night, is this logic or my imagination...sleeping on my back in like turning on a switch for the discomfort to start. Also, I have noticed that different shoes I wear makes a difference. I enjoy walking and excercising, and dancing any excercise I shoud omit from my life. I did notice that when I excerse at Curves, that when I keep time on a walking pad between excerse machines, that in the evening my discomfort is much worse, s0--I just move around slowly with a flat foot rather than the ball ofmy feet. I appreciate you info and I have also shared your web address with several friends at my office.

cgcg
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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September 20 2006 at 11:01 PM (7 hours and 15 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hello

Any variation in your symptoms due to your posture is not consistent with the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.

Can I ask if you've had a nerve conduction studies performed to confirm the diagnosis?

AI

Thankyou if I have answered your question please click accept. Feedback/Bonus is appreciated.Please feel free to ask if anything is not clear.
Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
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September 22 2006 at 4:08 PM (1 day and 17 hours later)
         
Reply to Alexander Irvine's Post: Thank you, you have been most helpful
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