Early Signs of Neuropathy That Are Easy to Miss

Your nerves serve as your body’s communication network. When they’re working properly, they keep you safe. You quickly recoil when touching an overly hot surface, for example, because your nerves rapidly alert your brain to the danger.

When you have neuropathy, though, this communication network breaks down. A peripheral neuropathy diagnosis, for example, means the nerves outside your central nervous system — like the ones in your arms, legs, hands, and feet — have a problem. 

Fortunately, if you’re living with neuropathy or think you might be, Dr. Jonathan D. Carlson can help. At Hawai’i Pain and Spine on the Windward side of Oʻahu in Kailua, he can start by diagnosing your neuropathy. Then, he tailors a care plan to minimize unwelcome symptoms and help you function at your best. 

Should you pay Dr. Carlson a visit? That can be tricky to tell, at least at first. In its early phases, neuropathy might not feel ultra-obvious. You might not jump straight to shooting pain or complete numbness, for example. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the early, less noticeable signs of neuropathy. 

Changes in sensation

Do things feel different? Pay attention. If you notice that hot seems hotter, cold seems colder, or a blanket feels painfully heavy, it could indicate that your nerves are changing. Similarly, if things feel less hot, cold, prickly, etc., than they did before, you could be dealing with some nerve functionality shifts. 

Ultimately, neuropathy means the body parts that should help you feel — your nerves — have a problem. So if things start feeling different, notice how dramatic the shift is and how long it lasts. If your changes in sensation are both persistent and significant, they warrant a conversation with Dr. Carlson. 

Tingling

We’ve all experienced that feeling that comes after a limb “falls asleep.” You might call it pins and needles or a prickling, tingling, or burning sensation. 

Keep an eye out for that in your extremities. If you often experience that feeling out of the blue, it could be an early indicator of neuropathy. 

Loss of coordination

While some nerves help you feel, other nerves help to coordinate your movements. As a result, neuropathy can make it harder to move throughout your day. 

If you notice unexplained muscle weakness or experience a dramatic dip in coordination, talk to Dr. Calrson to find out if it’s neuropathy. 

If you do have neuropathy, Dr. Carlson and our team can help. We offer treatment ranging from regenerative medicine techniques to spinal cord stimulation. Dr. Carlson helps you find the right option to minimize uncomfortable symptoms and support your mobility. To get started, call our office to schedule your appointment today.