What Are Your Symptoms?

Some neuropathies come on suddenly, others gradually over many years, but the problem usually starts with weakness, numbness or pain. Here are some of the telltale signs people describe.

Weakness in the arms or legs   Usually caused by damage to the motor nerves, leg symptoms include difficulty walking or running, “heaviness” - and stumbling or tiring easily. Muscle cramps may be common. In the arms, difficulties with carrying a load of groceries, opening jars, turning doorknobs, or combing your hair. Or you may be frustrated to find you keep dropping things you thought you had a good grip on.

Numbness, Tingling, and Pain   The sensory nerves, when damaged, can cause many different symptoms. Early on, you may have spontaneous sensations, which include numbness, tingling, pins and needles, prickling, burning, cold, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks, or buzzing. They are usually worse at night, often painful and severe. Or you may have, a lessening or absence of sensation, which can cause you to burn or cut yourself and not know it.

Absence of Position Sense   When you have this symptom, you’re probably not sure just where your feet are and may thus be uncoordinated and unsteady when you walk. Or you may realize that the way you walk has changed, but not be sure exactly how or why. Chances are you have widened your gait in an unconscious effort to keep your balance, or that you tend to drag your feet.

“Glove and Stocking Sensation”   This is what doctors call the odd feeling that makes you  feel like you are wearing stockings or gloves or slippers when, in fact, your hands and feet are completely bare.