I was told I had neuropathy, and until my trip to the pain clinic a couple weeks ago, I was confused as to why my nerve pain never quite fit into the pain type that is neuropathy. I've been diagnosed with radiculopathy, which is a specific type of nerve pain which is caused by the damage to the nerve roots found in or near the spine and spinal cord. Neuropathy is much simpler; it is pain caused by damage to any part of a nerve, and is a different kind of pain.
The burning, electric shock type of pain that shoots up and down your legs and feet, or your arms and hands if you suffer a cervical injury, is radiculopathy.
Just thought I'd share my new diagnosis, as I haven't seen anyone else mention this.
Thankyou for sharing with us Knight and at least it makes some sense to you now. I have never heard of this to be honest so il def be taking a look at some info regarding this
Knight what kind of treatment are they trying, is it helping
I've tried anti-seizure medication to control the pain, and, sadly, it was all ineffective. Keppra (Levetiracetem) was effective for almost an entire year, but caused kidney stones, a lot of absent-mindedness, and confusion because it affects the way the brain processes pain. Neurontin (Gabapentin) caused severe heart spasms and chest pain three days after I started it. Alpha-Lipoic Acid multiplied my pain by ten. Lyrica (Pregabalin) worked fairly well, but I ended up having a minor allergic reaction to it.
Post by kilg0retr0ut on May 16, 2014 6:36:38 GMT -8
I'm looking at my medical records right now. They say I have L5-S1 chronic radicular pain. I suppose this is the difference between the common neuropathy and the shocks. Thanks for clearing this up Knight.
The burning, electric shock type of pain that shoots up and down your legs and feet, or your arms and hands if you suffer a cervical injury, is radiculopathy.
Wow, this is a new term to me and perfectly describes what I feel. Doctors have never questioned what type of pain I have, and I stopped taking pain med (Gabapentin) because of the brain fog. My spinal cord and nerve roots were affected by my disease in a demyelinating fashion.
Ive been looking around the net for info on this and it refers to Sciatica as this type of pain. It is referring to pain that radiates/travels. This pain is caused at the base of the issue..ie:the spinal nerve being pinched or compressed
Neuropathy is the nerve pain associated with permanent nerve damage from significant injury. Neuropathy is typically associated with the burning, stabbing type of pain. This nerves arent signalling at all to skin surface because the nerves cannot repair from the compression. It has damaged them normally beyond repair so the brain is telling us that there is something seriously wrong.
Radiculopathy is secondary to compression or a pinched nerve for example and radiates. Prior to my operation this is the pain i will have been experiencing in my legs..due to the compression. Fortunately for me, the operation alleviated this..but it isnt the case for everyone.
Radicular pain is often secondary to compression or inflammation of a spinal nerve. When the pain radiates down the back of the leg to the calf or foot, it would in lay terms be described as sciatica. This type of pain is often deep and steady, and can usually be reproduced with certain activities and positions, such as sitting or walking. Source
Post by kilg0retr0ut on May 17, 2014 5:58:49 GMT -8
Not even close. But I understand what you were trying to do. You do a great job Lara, I'm not trying to give you a hard time. This is a pain that if you don't experience, you cannot understand.
How do you know what pain i experience? im explaining the pain and trying to give some info on it...simply. Im not underestimating the degree of pain.
I have the ability to understand someone elses pain...i may not know what it feels like to live with it but i do suffer with issues to..Just because im quiet about them...dosent mean i dont have them.
What gives you the ability to understand someone else's pain? Maybe it's better to agree to disagree on this one also.
I do have understanding because im an empathic person....I always try understand how other people suffer. I may not know from experience what something feels like but it dosent prevent me from trying to understand.
I have and do experience pain so you shouldnt be so quick to presume that i cant understand.
Lαrα, one can only imagine what it feels like but can never know for sure. kilg0retr0ut, she was just explaining the different types of nerve pain. From what I've read, Sciatica is a radiating pain.