image by: LADR: Lebanese Association for Diabetes Research

HWN Suggests

The Painful Reality of Neuropathy

Without intending to sound overly-dramatic: oh my god, where do I start!

The most difficult thing for friends, family and co-workers to understand is the pain neuropathy can bring. It's like nothing else you've ever experienced. It can range from mild tingling or burning, to pain that can leave you screaming in agony, especially at night. It can feel as though the affected areas are on fire and burning sensations are perhaps the commonest after tingling. Tingling sounds innocent enough but it can be so severe that it's extremely painful and then you long for the numbness that you began with. People often complain of 'electric shock' symptoms and that doesn't need too much explanation.

Often…

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Articles of Interest

The Many Ills of Peripheral Nerve Damage

If you have ever slept on an arm and awakened with a “dead” hand, or sat too long with your legs crossed and had your foot fall asleep, you have some inkling of what many people with peripheral neuropathy experience day in and day out, often with no relief in sight.

Do Statins Produce Neurological Effects?

The most common adverse effects include muscle symptoms, fatigue and cognitive problems. A smaller proportion of patients report peripheral neuropathy—burning, numbness or tingling in their extremities—poor sleep, and greater irritability and aggression.

My scariest symptom yet

Basically my hands don’t do what my brain tells them to do.

Neuropathy testing – EMG, NCS & a very frustrating experience with a doctor

Then the doctor came in to do the EMG. He introduced himself, talked about what he was going to do – explained why it’s not that bad. He said the needles were very thin – like acupuncture – and that it’s much easier than drawing blood because it goes into the muscle and any part of the muscle will do.

Neuropathy: Facts and Fiction

Neuropathy is one of those diseases that affects millions of people (20 million in the USA alone) and between 30% and 40% of people living with HIV and yet if you ask 100 people on the street what it is, the vast majority of them won't have a clue what you're talking about.

New Target Discovered for Pain Relief

A neuropathic pain expert says, however, that in the past 30 years virtually no new drug targets have made it into the clinic as effective pain-relief drugs.

NutriNerve: Breakthrough for Neuropathy

Unfortunately little has been shown to prevent or reverse neuropathy and relieve the afflicted individuals of their suffering and discomfort. There is however some hope on the horizon. Recent studies have demonstrated in animals and man that certain nutraceuticals may have beneficial effects on the different components of neuropathy.

Pfizer’s Lyrica Fails to Treat Traumatic Neuropathic Pain

Drug maker Pfizer Inc. said Wednesday that its drug Lyrica didn’t reduce pain any more than a placebo for those suffering from chronic nerve pain caused by traumatic accidents or surgeries.

Stopping neuropathy – one of chemotherapy’s most challenging side effects

Chemotherapies are especially good at killing cancer cells, but they can also harm healthy ones. These include the peripheral nerve cells that carry messages back and forth between the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) and the rest of the body. When peripheral nerve cells are damaged, it becomes harder for the messages to get through.

This May Be Causing Your Leg Pain And Numbness

Aching calves, burning legs, numbness in the feet — pain and discomfort in the lower extremities is a common complaint that sends many of us to our doctors seeking relief. But unless the cause is something obvious, like a fall, pinpointing the source may require some medical detective work. Trying to tough it out, though, will not get you any closer to the answers.

Treating neuropathy: Which medication is best?

Unfortunately, it can take many months or even longer to find a treatment that works. Doctors have little guidance to know which ones to start with. That’s why research comparing treatment options is so important — and yet, precious little comparative research on treatments for idiopathic sensory polyneuropathy has been published.

Weekly dose: Lyrica, the epilepsy drug that treats chronic nerve pain

Lyrica is the brand name for a prescription medicine called pregabalin. Although it is an anticonvulsant, or an anti-epileptic drug, pregabalin is commonly prescribed to alleviate nerve or neuropathic pain – a type of pain caused by damage to, or a disease affecting, nerves. Neuropathic pain doesn’t normally respond to common painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetemol. This is because the mechanisms that cause neuropathic pain are different to the underlying causes of other pain.

What is hATTR amyloidosis?

hATTR amyloidosis is one of a group of diseases that is caused by a buildup of amyloid deposits in the body. Each type of amyloidosis is caused by a different misfolded protein. Nerve damage in the somatic nervous system can lead to a range of symptoms, including loss of voluntary movement of the hands and feet, and loss of sensitivity to temperature

What Is Neuropathy? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention

There are many different types of neuropathy, and the condition has a number of causes. One of the most common causes is diabetes. In fact, half of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[2]. Another example of neuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome, or median neuropathy, commonly seen in individuals that spend a lot of time using a computer typing.

Resources

Neuropathy Commons

We are a group of top researchers in the study of SFNN as well as physician-scientists balancing their laboratory research with time in the clinic.

ReBuilder Medical

The ReBuilder stimulates both nerves and muscles. By stimulating the dysfunctional nerves, the ReBuilder provides pain relief. By stimulating the muscles in the calf, the venous muscle pump is activated which increases blood flow and circulation that results in de-oxygenated blood cells and toxins being carried away, while bringing in new, healthy blood back into the feet.

Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy is a Public Charity committed to fostering collaboration among today’s most gifted and dedicated neuroscientists and physicians. These specialists from around the country will help us maintain a comprehensive view of the field and determine the research areas that hold the most promise in neuropathy research and treatment to develop new and effective therapies that can reverse, reduce and one day eliminate Peripheral Neuropathy.

Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation

Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which mission is to increase awareness and accurate diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and related inherited neuropathies, support patients and families with critical information to improve quality of life, and fund research that will lead to treatments and cures.

Neuropathy Action Foundation

The Neuropathy Action Foundation (NAF), a 501(c)(3) non profit, is dedicated to ensuring neuropathy patients obtain the necessary resources, information and tools to access individualized treatment to improve their quality of life.

Neuropathy and HIV

Information blog for people suffering from both Neuropathy and HIV. An opportunity to exchange experiences, tips and opinions. This site is non-funded, non-commercial and free of advertising.

PolyNeuro Exchange

Your source for expert information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for Peripheral Neuropathies

The Neuropathy Institute

If you have neuropathy, The Neuropathy Institute can help!

The Neuropathy Journal

Written for patients, by patients as well as medical experts including leading neurologists, nurses, and other medical professionals who share their first-hand experiences in living with this often misunderstood affliction. The journal’s purpose is to advance the understanding of neuropathy in layman’s terms.