The Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group holds monthly meetings and provides a monthly newsletter for members. Through these means we provide understanding and support through sharing experiences in practical management of daily living with peripheral neuropathy.
We are working towards creating a greater awareness among both doctors and those suffering PN, as well as the general public. Little research has been carried out. Many doctors have limited knowledge of the nature of their complaint.
As awareness increases we will endeavour to promote research to find answers to our many unanswered questions, one day perhaps a cure.
The PN Support Group is an incorporated, not-for-profit association that has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a “Deductible Gift Recipient” and a “Tax Concession Charity” and is a registered charity with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The Group is a member of the Neurological Council of WA and a member of the Connect Groups (formerly the Western Institute of Self Help).
Peripheral Neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), to every other part of the body. Peripheral nerves also send information back to the brain and spinal cord. Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital connections. Like static on a telephone line, peripheral neuropathy distorts and sometimes interrupts messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Because every peripheral nerve has a highly specialised function in a specific part of the body, a wide array of symptoms can occur when nerves are damaged. Some people may experience temporary numbness, tingling and prickling sensations, sensitive to touch, or muscle weakness. Others may include more extreme symptoms including burning pain (especially at night). Muscle wasting, paralysis or organ or gland dysfunction. People may become unable to digest food easily, maintain safe levels of blood pressure, sweat normally, or experience normal sexual function. In the most extreme cases breathing may become difficult or organ failure may occur.
More than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development and prognosis, impaired function and symptoms depend on the type of nerves – motor, sensory or autonomic – that are damaged.
Peripheral Neuropathy may be either inherited or acquired. Causes of acquired PN include physical injury (trauma) to a nerve, tumors, toxins, autoimmune responses, nutritional deficiencies, alcoholism and vascular and metabolic disorders.
Diagnosing PN is often difficult because the symptoms are highly variable. A thorough neurological examination is usually required and involves taking an extensive patient history, including work environment, social habits, exposure to any toxins, history of alcoholism, risk of HIV, or other infectious diseases, and family history of neurological disease. From this, tests can be performed that may identify the cause of the neuropathic disorder. Further tests may be conducted to determine the extent and type of nerve damage.
– Ron Gascoigne.