Howdy gang, I'm just noticing this category for the first time.

I understand that chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) isn't all that uncommon. However I've been diagnosed with what the neurologist calls Progressive Polyneuropathy (sensory only) and I only had surgery and radiation. This has been getting steadily worse for the last 18 months-2 years, beginning maybe 2 1/2 years after the end of rads. Initially, a year ago, he didn't find anything when he did the nerve conduction studies (NCS). Now, a month ago, he came up with a firm diagnosis. I also have Raynaud's Phenomenon, which is a kind of mysterious but not all that uncommon circulation issue. As far as western medicine goes at any event, the two aren't related.

Symptoms: numbness and tingling in both hands and numbness along the tops of my forearms which seems to be extending north. The tingling usually radiates up the arms and sometimes onto my back. Sometimes it's not too bad. But the numbness is constant and makes it very difficult to do small things - button buttons, turn pages, tie shoes, etc. etc. I make very certain I'm gripping things like glasses of water carefully so I don't drop them. And I do drop things if I'm not paying attention. There is no pain associated with it. I also note some of the same symptoms in my feet, but they're not as strong.

The neurologist says there's nothing he can give me since I'm not in pain. So I guess things like Gabapentin wouldn't do much for me. Since it's idiopathic he doesn't really have anything else to say about it.

Yesterday I went to an endocrinologist, and he thinks my thyroid functions look low and, after he gets blood work back, I'm assuming will likely up the Synthroid I take from its current 100 mcg. Beyond that I have no idea what he'll suggest. I also visited a rheumotologist, this for the Raynaud's, and he didn't have anything to offer on the PN.

Been doing acupuncture for the last couple of months on a what the hell basis. No change. Also am taking the various supplements that are recommended for nerve issues - there's a great neural issue web forum I discovered and the people there are very helpful, as everyone is here.

So: anybody identify with any of this? Any suggestions for what else I might consider? Oh, I did do some bio and neurofeedback over the summer, this for the Raynaud's, and didn't see any improvement.

Thanks, all.