You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. You may then be referred to a doctor trained in nervous system disorders (neurologist).
Here's information to help you prepare for your appointment.
What you can do
- Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to your reason for scheduling the appointment.
- List medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
- Ask a family member or friend to accompany you. A companion may remember something you missed.
- Write down questions for your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For peripheral neuropathy, some basic questions include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes?
- What tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- What side effects can I expect from treatment?
- Are there alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Do I need to restrict activities?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Are there brochures or other printed material I can take? What websites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
Dec. 02, 2014
- Do you have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease?
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Does anyone in your family have symptoms similar to yours?
- Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2014.
- AskMayoExpert. Peripheral neuropathy (adult and pediatric). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2013.
- Rutkove SB. Overview of polyneuropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 28, 2014.
- Feldman EL, et al. Treatment of diabetic neuropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 28, 2014.
- Steps to prevent or delay nerve damage. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/steps-to-prevent-or-delay.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2014.
- Evening primrose oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 29, 2014.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 29, 2014.
- Fish oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 29, 2014.
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