Peripheral neuropathy patients suffer greatly. Based on the experience of many physicians including myself, peripheral neuropathy patients would often have the symptoms for years but would not seek medical help until the symptoms worsen.

These symptoms initially may include such things as mild loss of sensation of the hands and the feet, progressive worsening of tingling and numbness that will often times wake the patient at night, or completely disturbed sleep.

We also find that many patients with neuropathy have a combination of these most annoying symptoms. This could include not only the presence of tingling and numbness but shooting pains. I have had many patients tell me that one of the most annoying symptoms, especially in colder climates, is the coolness of the feet as well as the (trophic) changes that occur in the skin. There are times that the skin would be extremely dry, tender and cracks.

The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is a truely a diagnosis of exclusion. This is what I always tell the doctors that I work with all the time. It is very important for doctors to be able to perform the most thorough evaluation possible. All records should be reviewed and evaluate to ensure that all correctible causes of peripheral neuropathy have been addressed. If a root cause can be identified, it should be addressed as completely as medically and humanly possible.

Peripheral neuropathy diagnosis is about making sure of everything that it's not, so it is only common for most chiropractors and physical theraphists who take care of peripheral neuropathy patients to also work with many physicians of other disciplines. The reason for this is quite obvious and that is to make sure that family history, genetics, medication usage, etc are all taken into account.

We also have to be on the lookout for iatrogenically neuropathy. That is when neuropathy becomes an unintentional adverse effect of a medical treatment or care such are chemotherapy for cancer and other illness.

Another area which concerns me greatly is when patients self-medicate with over-the-counter medications or maybe even herbal preparations that possibly could be contaminated with heavy metals or plant toxins. I strongly advice that when you start having symptoms or noticed that something is not right, that you seek professional counseling instead of doing self-medication. This is to prevent creating irreversible damage to your liver or kidneys due to the heavy metals or plant toxin in the medication that you would take.