Neuropathy Pain: Signs & Symptoms
Patients who develop peripheral nueropathy pain describe their pain with a variety of ways:
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burning
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pins and needles
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freezing cold
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throbbing
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deep ache
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raw skin
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electric-like
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like walking on broken glass
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intense itching
Some patients describe unpleasant and irritating sensations, which may include "buzzing," "like bugs crawling," and "aching." Some people feel like they have socks on, even though they are barefoot. Over time this feeling may spread to other parts of the body.
The inability to move normally may also develop. Patients with neuropathy pain can develop trouble with their balance and may find it hard to walk. Their legs feel heavy and they may have to drag themselves up the stairs.
While every person's experience with peripheral neuropathy pain can be unique, there are some common neuropathy signs and symptoms. The symptoms of diabetic or peripheral neuropathy generally start in the toes and feet. In some patients the symptoms gradually rise up the calves and into the knees (called a stocking pattern). Then, in some, the symptoms spread to the hands (causing a stocking and glove pattern). It cannot be predicted how any one patient's symptoms will spread.
Some patients have constant neuropathy pain, day and night, whereas others only have noticeable neuropathy pain at bedtime. Often, patients may complain that the neuropathy pain interferes with their sleep. Without treatment these patient may develop Restless Leg Syndrome and or Insomnia (difficulty sleeping).
As with all chronic pain, patients with peripheral neuropathy pain may also develop depression.
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