After undergoing multiple tests at The Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah, Glenn Beck was diagnosed with non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy. But what does that mean?
Peripheral Neuropathy is a malfunction of the nerves in the extremities, with the foot and ankle being more common than the arms and hands. This malfunction causes significant pain including numbness, tingling, burning, electrical shocks and even stabbing type pains. It can be very problematic and can have multiple possible causes including diabetes, AIDS or HIV, toxins and metallic poisons, certain chemicals, alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies or nutritional imbalances, it may also occur from systemic diseases (kidney failure, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, abnormal blood proteins, cancer especially with chemotherapy, leukemia and shingles). Entrapment may also lead to the symptoms of neuropathy.
Since neuropathy has significant symptoms, often patients are told "there is nothing that can be done". This couldn't be further from the truth. Newer treatments are being encountered on a regular basis and include options that often improve the nerve function. Although Glenn Beck has a significant diagnosis, options do exist to help with this condition.
Dr Brandt R Gibson
Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute
36 North 1100 East, Suite B
American Fork, UT 84003
801-756-0765
www.UtahFootDoc.com
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I am only 26 years old and have had neuropathy for 2 years now. I don't have diabetes, and have had countless tests done on me including a cat scan of the brain, TONS of blood work (all results normal), and at least 3 nerve conduction tests which all come back worse than before. I'll be going to a physical therapist once a week to try and get mobility back in my legs. I've taken vitamins, changed my diet, and am even working less but nothing is working and nothing has been found as to why I have this condition at such a young age. I'm currently taking 1500 mg of gabapenten, and 3 ibuprofen 800 a day just to be able to move!!! I wish there was a way for it to go away.
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