diabetes Radiculopathy Progressed Into Neuropathy?

[rpowell01]

I've been researching this but can't find anything. I've been seeing a Pain Management and Neurosurgeon facility since Sept-October 2014. They decided to give me an EMG yesterday because of the pain and numbness/tingling I have. The pain started down my buttocks into the bottom of my feet and toes back in 2012. Currently I have loss of sensation that has wrapped around to the top of my feet and up into my shins. After the EMG the MD said he had to put everything together for his report and will call me back in for the FULL results. He did say his initial results are that if I only had L5-S1 Bilateral Radiculopathy in 2013 then its getting worse and has progressed into Neuropathy.

I've read in the past on the differences of these two things. Radiculopathy means one nerve is being pinched and Neuropathy means that more than one nerve is DAMAGED.

So my question is how can Radiculopathy progress into Neuropathy? BTW I am not diabetic and never have been. See the Regional Office approved me IU but denied my legs and I and I am thinking they were "hoping" I would get diabetes so they could say "We can't distinguish between the two"....Yes I read this exact phrase on my wife's Uncle Report from a claim.

See I started seeing this Neurologist/Neurosurgeon place because the VA has done NOTHING to properly treat my spine condition. The only thing they did was in 2013 was to send me out for ESI in Clearwater, FL. That was the WRONG treatment because I have DJD and little DDD even though I herniated a disc back in 2012. Now whenever I asked my VA PCP through secure message on declaring me P&T he said no he can't do that. Don' t worry Dr. Bash has already done this and Voc Rehab has declared me unemployable. Anyway my VA PCP had the nerve to tell me that one of James A. Haley PM specialists stated that I had "too many cooks" for my treatment. What such BS (Jesus please forgive me for saying that).

First I was having Thyroid issues that my VA PCP refused to treat me even after 2-3 blood results showed high Thyroid levels since 2013 so now I see my private PCP. Second the VA pain management wasn't doing anything, nothing to help me, nothing. I couldn't even see a surgeon after I requested it to PM. So whenever I finally was able to qualify for medicare I decided to go see a private PM facility. But the VA PM had the nerve to say "too many cooks"?

Guess what I am going to file a complaint with the IGs office because the Neurologist in Pain Management who improperly treated me wrote up a report stating he did a full exam on me. Guess what he never did that exam, I secured messaged PM at James A. Haley about this and secured messages shows he he called me back after I caught him in a lie after reading over the report. He calls me back in to finally do a proper exam. He lied and this is unethical. How many other veterans have been treated this way from James A. Haley?

See, I've complained and complained and complained about my low back and lower extremity issues and James A. Haley with no results. Luckily I secure message everything.

[ArNG11]

Sorry iPhone acting up

[Andyman73]

Andyman I understand , read you Lima Charlie. My leg pain is getting worse, numbness and tingling is happening in most positions, either standing or sitting and it's quite depressing. I had an EMG done last year, but it didn't reveal much other than mild neuropathy on both legs however other exams such as private exam from physician, specialists, and functional capacity tests indicate otherwise. The evidence is there and I'm not too concerned, just needing people higher than the regional office to actually weigh and give the evidence and symptoms it's proper weight and relevance, oh and applying the proper laws and regulations. All I keep saying in my head is to keep moving, keep hurting, when things start to stay numb and tingly is when I start to get edgy. Sucks all to desert sands.

I have an EMG scheduled for July 13th. Not too sure what to expect.

[ArNG11]

It's not terrible. You'll survive. It's uncomfortable but bare able. Just relax. I'd ask about the differences between it being performed laying down, sitting, and standing. I have pain, numbness, and tingling. Been there done that. Good luck.

[Andyman73]

Thanks, ArNG11, I appreciate it. They told me it would take about 90 minutes. I just hope I will be able to drive home afterwards.

[ArNG11]

You should be good. Just know it will hurt especially the calve area and lower foot but you'll do fine. It is just uncomfortable for a few moments, don't sweat it. You'll be able to drive afterwards, at least i did. It will be all right.

Heh a tattoo on the arm hurt worse for longer.

Edited July 2, 2015 by ArNG11

[Andyman73]

As long as it don't hurt more than a "charley horse". I had one of them back in April, leg hurt for a week! Should a I put a light bulb in my mouth to see if it lights up, during the test?

My tatoo on my R rear shoulder only felt like sunburn for a week or so.