JohnGreen544
New member
Has anyone here with BFS ever had a progression of symptoms to a true peripheral neuropathy?
BFS and Peripheral Neuropathy?
- Thread starter JohnGreen544
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BandersnatchF
Well-known member
I'm not sure what you mean by "progression", but I was diagnosed today with mild peripheral neuropathy in my right median and ulnar nerves. Nothing to be concerned about - these are the two most common mechanical nerve irritations, and can be easily treated by improving work ergonomics and the use of wrist braces and the like. BFS didn't cause the neuropathy, but it's possible the neuropathy caused or aggravated the twitching in my hands.
I was also told by the neurologist I saw today (much nicer than the first one I saw
)) that twitching can be caused by (among other things) neuropathy and even tendonitis. It's a less common symptom than pain, stiffness, numbness, parasthesia, coordination loss, but even a less common symptom is far more common than very rare but incurable diseases. Moreover, neuropathy in the nerves of the arm and hand can cause mild weakness. 2-3% of the people in the US will have carpal tunnel issues at some point. Ulnar nerve damage is less common, but still probably affects more than 0.5% of the population.
If you have hand issues, insist that the neurologist check for these neuropathies (he or she should do so without being prodded!). In my case, neither neuropathy showed up on EMG (which didn't find any denervation or nerve conduction abnormalities), but they did show up via mallet strikes to the appropriate places (elbow for ulnar nerve, wrist for median nerve). Apparently, this kind of neuropathy often doesn't show up on EMG, but that doesn't mean it's not causing (treatable!) problems. Incidentally, the fact that it shows up via a sensory test (mallet strikes cause tingling in the hand) indicates that it's a nerve irritation rather than a CNS problem.
Now I get to deal with the workers comp people at the university. Oh, joy!
I was also told by the neurologist I saw today (much nicer than the first one I saw
)) that twitching can be caused by (among other things) neuropathy and even tendonitis. It's a less common symptom than pain, stiffness, numbness, parasthesia, coordination loss, but even a less common symptom is far more common than very rare but incurable diseases. Moreover, neuropathy in the nerves of the arm and hand can cause mild weakness. 2-3% of the people in the US will have carpal tunnel issues at some point. Ulnar nerve damage is less common, but still probably affects more than 0.5% of the population.If you have hand issues, insist that the neurologist check for these neuropathies (he or she should do so without being prodded!). In my case, neither neuropathy showed up on EMG (which didn't find any denervation or nerve conduction abnormalities), but they did show up via mallet strikes to the appropriate places (elbow for ulnar nerve, wrist for median nerve). Apparently, this kind of neuropathy often doesn't show up on EMG, but that doesn't mean it's not causing (treatable!) problems. Incidentally, the fact that it shows up via a sensory test (mallet strikes cause tingling in the hand) indicates that it's a nerve irritation rather than a CNS problem.
Now I get to deal with the workers comp people at the university. Oh, joy!
CosmicVisitor
Well-known member
iceman
I was dx with peripheral neuropathy by one Neuro that I saw and suspect by another. This was based mostly on sensory issues, but was told that my weakness and other symptoms such as parasthesis were part of it. There are dozens of peripheral neuropathy types. Many times this is a differential diagnosis to a MND. On EMG some peripheral neuropathy can mimic a MND so there has to be other factors thrown in to make a diagnosis. As far as peripheral neuropathy and fascics... yes .. but usually very localized. it is also possible to have BFS and a peripheral neuropathy, this can amplify symptoms in troubled regions. So far, no one has been able to prove or disprove BFS as a neuropathy or its etiology.
Bandersnatch_F
good post..
I was recently told that I have the same issues and that an operation on the wrist can alleviate the median nerve constriction. forget that !
Doug
I was dx with peripheral neuropathy by one Neuro that I saw and suspect by another. This was based mostly on sensory issues, but was told that my weakness and other symptoms such as parasthesis were part of it. There are dozens of peripheral neuropathy types. Many times this is a differential diagnosis to a MND. On EMG some peripheral neuropathy can mimic a MND so there has to be other factors thrown in to make a diagnosis. As far as peripheral neuropathy and fascics... yes .. but usually very localized. it is also possible to have BFS and a peripheral neuropathy, this can amplify symptoms in troubled regions. So far, no one has been able to prove or disprove BFS as a neuropathy or its etiology.
Bandersnatch_F
good post..
I was recently told that I have the same issues and that an operation on the wrist can alleviate the median nerve constriction. forget that !
Doug