Help... Neuropathy Experts Needed!

[Guhlia]

I am pregnant. The last few weeks I have been having increasing trouble sleeping. At night, when I lay down, my arms and legs start to tingle and they get very weak, a very odd feeling. Sometimes, they start to hurt a little too. It's getting worse and worse as time goes on. It varies which side I'm laying on, but sometimes both arms get like that, even if I'm not laying on one. That's what has me worried. I know that neuropathy and gestational diabetes are related and I'm actually heading out in an hour or so to be tested for that. I'm really worried though. Does this sound like neuropathy? If so, what could be causing it? I'm 100% gluten free. I haven't eaten out in a few weeks I think. I feel great other than this and have no other signs of diabetes or anything. I have been tested previously for diabetes and it came back 100% normal. I didn't have any of these sensations in my previous pregnancy and I couldn't find very much information online. I'm terrified to tell my doctor because my Celiac diagnosis was negated on my records with subsequent testing. I really don't want Celiac to rear its head on my records again due to insurance. I had a hard enough time getting insurance just with having migraines. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm going to have to approach my doctor on this one and probably educate him as well. I'm really nervous about it all. I'm also terrified that something's wrong with the baby.

[Guhlia]

Anyone know anything? I got the diabetes test done today. I should know more on that Wednesday afternoon. I hope.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Angie,

I saw this earlier, but figured you had already left for the doctor. Did they give you any idea what this might mean?

I have neuropathy, but it was much worse before I went gluten-free. Mine is a combination of pins and needles feeling in my lower legs and feet, and an odd numbness in my face and left arm.

I have had the pain in my wrists and hands while lying in bed--but that hasen't happened in a while.

I wish I could offer more in the way of useful information--I can imagine how concerned you are.

Keep us posted on how you're doing and what the test reveals. Try and relax, too

[chrissy]

angie, how far along are you? this could simply be nothing more than the weight of the baby putting pressure on some nerves when you lie down.

[Guhlia]

My doctor's appointment isn't until Wednesday. I just had to go to the lab today to get blood drawn.

I used to have a weird overreaction to sensation, but I'm not sure if that was neuropathy or not. Anything that tickled or was cold was intensely painful to me, just like getting burned. I'm not having any of those sensations at all, just the pins and needles and stuff, mainly just when I sleep, but sometimes other times.

It had been just my hands and wrists and up my arms, but last night it started in my feet and legs. That's why I was really worried, because it seems to be getting worse. Plus, I tried to move my one arm last night when it was like that and I slapped myself in the face, it was so weak I couldn't control it. That just doesn't seem normal to me. I don't know if that's a neuropathy thing or not though.

[Guhlia]

angie, how far along are you? this could simply be nothing more than the weight of the baby putting pressure on some nerves when you lie down.

I'm 29-30 weeks. I'm really hoping you're right. I weigh a LOT more this pregnancy than I did last time, I started out much heavier this time. Last time I was 98 lbs. when I got pregnant. This time I was 130 lb. I'm hoping that has something to do with it. Plus, my placenta is in the back this time, it was in the front last time. Maybe that's part of it???

[Guest Doll]

First of all, I would not worry that it's diabetic related neuropathy, since that takes YEARS to develop. Provided you didn't already have diabetes before you were pregnant, it's fair to say it is not that.

Pregnancy hormones can cause people to become more sensitive overall. That may explain some of what you are experiencing.

Do you have any trouble breathing or getting enough oxygen? Do you have allergies or asthma?

Your doctor should check your Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, and thyroid levels to make sure they are normal. You might also want to consider a neurological examination. In rare cases pregnancy can trigger autoimmune neurological conditions. If you are malnourished because of Celiac and that is why your B12 is low, you can take supplements yourself. However, pregnancy can trigger autoimmune thyroid disease and Pernicious Anemia (requires B12 injections for life). Both of these will need treatment from your doctor. It's important to check your thyroid levels ASAP, because low thyroid levels in the mother can lead to a lower IQ in the baby.

There are some idiopathic causes of neuropathy that are more common in Celiac's that don't seem too resolve on the gluten free diet.

However, I would not worry. If everything checks out with your bloodwork, it's probably nothing to worry about at this point. I agree that perhpas a nerve is being irritated due to your pregnancy.

[blueeyedmanda]

I can put John's two cents into this thread. John deals with neuropathy in his legs and feet from his high dose chemo he took 6 years ago. The feet are the worse, feel like sharp shooting pins and needles. John says he cannot feel his fingertips period. If I was to hit his feet, even in passing as an accident....he will fall to the floor and curl into a ball. If is very painful.

He is on pain meds designed for neuropathy. He regularly sees a pain management doctor. Slowly as his nerves grow back he gets a little bit better.

[Guhlia]

Thank you guys for the responses. Luckily, the problem seemed to pass about a week after my first post and I completely forgot about this post. The baby has now turned, I'm assuming she was just pushing on some nerves or something because I'm not getting any of those symptoms anymore. Well, except for the waking frequently, but those are usually bathroom breaks and I wake to roll over now for some reason. Anyway, thanks all. It's so nice to have a forum with such intelligent people who really care and take the time to answer your questions.

[blueeyedmanda]

I am glad the problem resolved itself.