Neuropathy in both arms and hand

[smalltown66]

Can some one give me some advice about gettingproper diagnosis for peripheral neuropathy?
 I take the Rayataz,Viread and Norvir combo. Ive. been on this combo for about 5 years now. Over the last six month, I experience numbness, pins and needles and pain in both arms and hands. I had a MRI on my cervical spine which show some deteriorating disc but no impingement on the spinal cord.
The surgeon suggest that the neuropathy could be stemming from the Medication combo and the virus itself.

How does the doctor go about diagnosing peripheral  neuropathy?

Thanks in advance!

Smalltown66

[newt]

Hello

Well you combo is one drug short of being a proper combo, I do wonder why?....

This aside, the peripheral neuropathy (PN)....

Diagnosis is via a neurological investigation, mainly a nerve conductance, reflex and grip/response test. You need to see a neurologist for this.

Bilateral (ie both sides) symmetrical (same body part, same time) neuropathy is suggestive of possible PN. PN starts slowly at the extremities and works up. But not conclusive, there are other causes

Your combo is not strongly associated with PN, but that does not mean it ain't one of the drugs in your combo.

Also, this could be a peripheral circulation problem.

In short, go see a neurologist.

I would also see an osteopath and see if that helps.

This can also be an effect from smoking and drinking (see circulation).

- matt

[newt]

PS - if your viral load is undetectable it's not the virus - matt

[smalltown66]

I take the Rayataz,Viread and Norvir combo. Ive. been on this combo for about 5 years now.

I'm sorry I must be having a Senior moment I take Reyataz, Truvada, and Norvir in combination.
Thanks Matt for all the good advice. I do have an appointment to have a EMG done soon. I have seen a neurosurgeon in which reviewed MRI of neck . He saw no evidence of nerve impingement. He suggests talking with my HIV Doc about neuropathy and my drug regimen.

[denb45]

I've had neuropathy  off & on for the last 15 yrs. it's hard to diagnose, I've been on nuerotin and other types of Meds, but, none really worked for me, and most of the time they DO NOTHING about it, the older you get the WORSE it get's..........I have it in both my legs, feet, arms and hands, it worse in the wintertime, when it get's colder outside,but can creep up on you in the summertime as well, it's getting harder for me to ride my bike 9 miles, and even do any weight training anymore, I really need to talk to my ID Doctor about this when I see her in AUG ......I'm only 53 yrs. old and I'm in very good shape, but, I fear, this won't last, if I can no longer do my workouts and aerobics anymore, to keep my body & heart healthy, we all get old, but, I really didn't think this would happen to me so soon, but I've had AIDS for the last 22 yrs. and been on Meds for a very long time, so, I guess I can't really expect a lot nowadays  

[smalltown66]

Denb45,

Thanks for your comments. I can relate about getting older. I am now 43 and sometimes I feel much older. Lots of pains and side effects from long term HIV therapy. I have been positive for 14 years. I too experience more pain in the winter months. Every year it seems there is something new to deal with.
As I have stated, the latest problems of osteoporosis and this possible neuropathy have started to affect my mobility. Exercise is hard to stick with when you have to deal with the pain. Let me know what your Doctor suggest for you.

thanks again,
Smalltown66

[J.R.E.]

Hi,

I never had Neuropathy, until I started on meds. But I am still convinced it's virus related. It was around the early part of 2004, when it all started. I have it in the arms, hands, and feet.  There are some days that are worse then others. I know I've mentioned this many times before, but there was a time in 2004 when it hurt too much to even drive a car.  My partner did most of the driving, as I was going through that worse stretch of Neuropathy.  Then things started settling down a little. I still have pain in the feet. Tingling/numbness/ in the legs, and that minor electric shock type of feeling on the forearms and hands.

I went to a neurologist to be tested for it. The entire test took about 35-40 minutes from the time they wire you up, until the completion of the test.

I am still fortunate enough, that I don't have to take anything for it.  On the days that are bad, I may take an aspirin,  but I really don't like taking anymore than I have to. When I was first diagnosed with it, I was precribed Neurontin,  but that didn't do me any good !


Take care ----Ray

[denb45]

Hi,

I never had Neuropathy, until I started on meds. But I am still convinced it's virus related. It was around the early part of 2004, when it all started. I have it in the arms, hands, and feet.  There are some days that are worse then others. I know I've mentioned this many times before, but there was a time in 2004 when it hurt too much to even drive a car.  My partner did most of the driving, as I was going through that worse stretch of Neuropathy.  Then things started settling down a little. I still have pain in the feet. Tingling/numbness/ in the legs, and that minor electric shock type of feeling on the forearms and hands.

I went to a neurologist to be tested for it. The entire test took about 35-40 minutes from the time they wire you up, until the completion of the test.

I am still fortunate enough, that I don't have to take anything for it.  On the days that are bad, I may take an aspirin,  but I really don't like taking anymore than I have to. When I was first diagnosed with it, I was precribed Neurontin,  but that didn't do me any good !


Take care ----Ray

Yeah, the Test of Neuropathy is kinda of joke, I've had 2 of them , they are always inconclusive........LOL!.... and they don't seem to really measure much anything, also Neurontin, made my testicles shrink and sweat, other than that, it did NOTHING at all.........I really don't like PAIN KILLERS, they make me sick to my stomach, and I have a weak tummy anyway from all of the AIDS Medications I've taken over the yrs........

[aztecan]

I have neuropathy in my ankles and feet. There are times they just ache. It doesn't matter whether I am sitting, standing or laying down.

It is worse when my feet are in tight shoes or are very warm. Its all I can do not to rip my shoes and sock off.

Aside from that, as others said, part of my problem is growing older and part because of having been on meds for so long.

Lately, my arthritis is being a pain - literally.

But, what do you do? I still believe HIV causes a person to age more rapidly.

HUGS,

Mark

[minismom]

(small hijack)
Mark, I think you are right about HIV making one age faster, especially when speaking about neurological aspects, ie: memory and coordination, as well as with joints and muscles.

(small hijack over)
Mum

[WillyWump]

I'm over 40 and have had what is thought to be neuropathy for a little over a year affecting my feet and hands. If I wear tight shoes it acts up, also acts up in the winter. I find myself walking around with my shoe laces untied (yes, dangerous I know but feels so good) or I will also slip my feet out of my shoes while Im driving. The doc just prescribed me Neurotnin last week, but am holding off taking it for now. Will probably start it closer to winter.

So yes seems it might be related to aging with HIV.

As far as getting diagnosed, I was walking to the exam room when doctor commented that my shoes were untied, then told her about the pains.....she said "probably neuropathy, ill give you some Neurontin"

-Shoelaces Will

[WaldoJJ]

I have had severe neuropathy in my hands and feet for the last 5 years.

I have tried Neurontin and several other medications with little result.

Medical marijuana has helped me tremendously.  It is a medication that calms my nerves safely, quickly and effectively.

Work for medical marijuana in your state, it helps so many conditions with very few and mild side effects.