Peripheral Neuropathy is sometimes misdiagnosed as Motor Neuron Disease

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Peripheral Neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the nerves in the body away from the brain and spinal cord. This damage causes weakness, numbness, pain and in the limbs. It can also impact bodily functions like digestion, urination and blood circulation. Symptoms include numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, sharp burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination and having falls, muscle weakness, paralysis, excessive sweating or not sweating at all, inability to control bladder or bowels, and sudden onset of dizziness. Peripheral neuropathy can be misdiagnosed as myelopathy, syringomyelia, and tabes dorsalis.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Sharp jabbing throbbing or burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, pain during activities, lack of coordination and falling, gradual onset of tingling or numbness in hands or feet, sensation can spread upward into limbs, muscle weakness, feeling as if wearing gloves or socks, paralysis if motor nerves are affected

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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