Peripheral neuropathy andcrohns

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merrywidow

mum with a dogdy tum
Joined
Oct 10, 2007
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peripheral neuropathy andcrohns

this morning i was dignoosed with peripheral neuropathy, aparently this is related to crohns disease. like most cronnies, i cant absord the vital vitiamins, this has resulted in nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy.
i havent heard anyone else mention this on here,so my question is do ou have this?
sharon xx
 
Sharon... this is spooky!
Peripheral neuropathy is my other disease. Although I have asked the question many times, no consultant has ever confirmed that there is a link between crohns and PN.
However, the term peripheral neuropathy covers a lot of different aspects of the disease. I have had loads of tests and been found with no particular deficiency which would cause it (B12 is one notable one). I've been told that it is likely to be genetic (does that sound familiar?) and I've now found that one of my aunties suffers from it (but not CD)
Mine manifests as loss of nerve function - both motor and sensory, starting at my toes and slowly working up my legs... very slowly, in fact... it's taken about 12 years to reach my ankles. No pain, or anything, just numbness.
It's a good idea to get your toenails cut by a chiropodist, as you may not be aware of any damage/infections in your feet (rather like a diabetic), and be careful when walking... I now use a rather swanky cane, as you could be a bit unsteady on your feet... that's how I broke my ankle recently.
If you're the same as me, it's a very slowly progressing disease which can be managed with a bit of thought and common sense.
They may want to do some nerve conduction tests, which is not entriely pleasant, but at least it's a change from having your intimate parts probed!
I'd be interested to see if anyone else comes up with something. I wouldn't rule out a link between CD and PN at all. And let me know if you have any other questions.
 
I think it's listed as a possible side-effect of Metronidazole (Flagyl), but I've never heard of it as a complication of Crohn's.

*Goes off to Wikipedia to have a look*
 
i had the nerve conductive tests done in september, also a full body scan, this took 50 mins in the scanner, and was very boring i fell asleep.
the consultant gave m the results this morning.
steve can you still drive a car?
both my parents were diebetic and both lost parts of thier legs due to gangreen .
i have to wear heavly souled slippers as the thin slippers are useless if i tread on something.
i have trod on glass and staples and a drawing pin, hence the need for thick slippers.
i like, you , have no pain so am grateful for that.
sharon xx
 
When the symptoms started (1996) I hadn't been on any prescription drugs for years... so not likely to be any link there.
I still drive, but rarely. I rather foolishly traded in an automatic and went back to a manual car... I haven't got a very deft touch with the pedals.
I did once stand on someone's foot in a shop... and remained standing on it for a long time. He wasn't very happy, but he should have said something sooner, shouldn't he?
 
Hi Sharon, I also have been diagnosed with P. N. It started in my feet and up into my legs. Also had problems with my hands, fingers, arms. The doctor started me on monthly b-12 injections, I also use liquid sublingual b-12 and take Alpha lipoic acid, which has helped a lot!

My b-12 didn't show terribly low so they were a little confused, but the shots do help.

I don't have an ileum so I'm unable to digest b-12 or absorb it into my system by eating foods or taking pills of b-12.
I hope they can find something that helps. It's miserable.
Kim
 
i have been having b-12 injections since i have had my stoma. i have them every 3 months.
sharon xx
 
The mayo clinic website says it can be caused by auto-immune diseases but does not mention Crohn's specifically.
 
the link above in a previous posting to steve, does mention crohns/ibd and pn. sharon xx
 

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