Numb Toes Books, Paperback

Foot or Hand Pain? Numbness? Weakening Muscles?

These two books, the only ones ever written on peripheral neuropathy by a patient for other patients and their families, have proven as useful for medical professionals as for neuropathy sufferers.

Numb Toes and Aching Soles, first published in July 1999, is the much-acclaimed basic primer on the subject of peripheral neuropathy. Sold all over the world, it deals with symptoms, causes, tests, and treatments-conventional as well as alternative. Day-to-day coping strategies for handling peripheral neuropathy problems, such as foot pain and numbness or muscular weakness, are covered in depth. Its nearly 300 pages also include comments from 12 leading neurologists and over 200 patient stories on pain and other neuropathy treatment experiences.

Numb Toes and Aching Soles covers:

• causes (there are said to be more than 100 different ones)
   
• how to recognize PN, and the basic diagnostic tests being used for this purpose
   
• medications prescribed by doctors
   
• other medical approaches such as hematological and nerve-based therapies
   
• alternative and complementary treatments such as nutrient supplementation, acupuncture, magnets, hyperbaric oxygen, massaging, and psychotherapies
   
• experimental drugs
   
• special considerations for diabetics and PWAs
   
• coping strategies

Numb Toes and Other Woes, a new book on peripheral neuropathy, was written by the same author, John Senneff. First published in July 2001, it is the "latest word" (actually the 60,000 latest words) on helping to overcome this bizarre affliction. Many new clinical findings on current neuropathy therapies are detailed. Also beneficial medical treatments for peripheral neuropathy now emerging from laboratories are fully covered. Specific ways that nutrient supplementation can help with diabetic and other neuropathies is particularly emphasized in this important book.

The new book, Numb Toes and Other Woes

• examines the nature of neuropathic pain in depth
   
• updates studies on the efficacy of various drugs (including several new pharmaceuticals), as well as of other medical and alternative procedures currently being used to treat neuropathic pain
   
• highlights specific nutrient supplementation strategies and reports on the most beneficial forms of certain supplements, based on new information
   
• reports on novel treatment approaches such as nerve regeneration, cellular therapies (including gene therapy, stem cell technology, "biologic minipumps," and nerve cell disablement), and promising, newly developed drugs awaiting government approvals
   
• describes unusual neuropathies, best ways of working with doctors, and new sources of patient assistance.
   

FOOT AMERICA'S PODIATRIST COMMENTS:  "These two books are a must for people living with Diabetes Mellitus.  If you have the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, learn the latest methods in treating the condition.  If you don't, but have Diabetes Mellitus, educate yourself to the early signs of neuropathy and ways to help prevent or delay its onset.  Both books make a great gift to loved ones, friends and even your doctor!  They will be used as a reliable reference for many years.  I highly recommend them!"

 

What patients have said:

"After reading Numb Toes and Aching Soles I knew this would be the tool I needed to educate my family and friends about peripheral neuropathy. Now I can't wait to share Numb Toes and Other Woes with people who need the knowledge to understand and deal with this mysterious disease." Bob Brown, Raleigh, NC

"Thank you for taking the time to extensively research and write such an informative book. I plan on keeping mine as a reference source and buying several for friends and for my dad." Carol Rohlinger, Tuscon, AZ

"Numb Toes and Aching Soles is a book that will quickly become dog-eared and colorful from your highlighters. Regardless of your illness or pain, if your feet hurt, this book has invaluable information and practical treatment tips." Lisa Copen, San Diego, CA

"The book reflects an enormous amount of research and work, and will save present and future neuropathy victims a great deal of anguish and frustration caused by the previous lack of readily available information on causes, symptoms, treatments and medical progress. . . .It should be mandatory reading for every medical student, doctor, nurse and therapist. It is definitely a 'must have' for every victim of neuropathy and should be read, re-read and used as a reference guide and self-defense mechanism . . . [The book] is obviously a 'labor of love, ' compassionately written by a victim of the disease itself." Rosemary Waggoner, San Antonio, TX

What doctors have said:

"A superbly researched and readable book that deals with peripheral neuropathy from the patient's perspective. The author has taken great pains to assemble accurate and up-to-date information that will be of substantial benefit in helping patients. . . .The book can also be recommended to physicians who want insight into how patients are affected." Dr. David A. Greenberg, Professor and Vice-Chairman of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

"Congratulations on completing your informative and exhaustive work. It will be a valuable resource to patients and physicians alike." Dr. Laurence J. Kinsella, Chief, Division of Neurology, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio

What others have said:

"An excellent overview of the process of PN and its treatment." American Journal of Pain Management

"Thorough, accurate. . . . informative and entertaining." Anesthesiology

"Although the author is not diabetic, his in-depth discussion of diabetic neuropathy is the best I have seen." Diabetes Wellness Letter

"It should be mandatory reading not only for every patient suffering from this frequent disorder, but also for therapists and caregivers who will find valuable information and advice." European Journal of Neurology

"As a compilation of therapeutic methods in the management of peripheral neuropathy, this book is probably second to none." The Foot

"If you suffer from PN or know someone who does or if you are a professional caring for PN patients, order John's book now. It will save you untold hours of time, trouble and pain in your battle against peripheral neuropathy." International Health News

"Demystifies peripheral neuropathy for the layman sufferer, and offers both patients and physicians an expansive list of possible treatment options." Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System

"An excellent resource for patients with peripheral neuropathy, their caregivers, and physicians interested in a patient's perspective on peripheral neuropathy." Muscle & Nerve

"A wonderful resource for anyone suffering from peripheral neuropathy or any professional wishing to become better acquainted with the patient's point-of-view." Senior World Online

 

Peripheral Neuropathy Explained

What It Is:

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), an affliction suffered by millions, is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system resulting from damage to the nerves' protective coating or from damage to the nerves themselves.

The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerve fibers bundled together in nerve trunks.  They run from the brain and spinal cord (which make up the central nervous system) to other parts of the body.  The fibers are shielded by a coating or membrane called the myelin sheath.  Like wires protected by insulation, the coated fibers carry "electrical" impulses from receptors located in internal organs, muscles and skin back to our brain through our spinal cord.  When an injury to the peripheral nerves or their protective coating occurs which interferes with the transmission of impulses from these receptors, one of two things (or sometimes both) occurs depending on the receptors and nerve fibers involved.  Either the brain acknowledges and registers the abnormal transmission as pain or some other unpleasant sensation, or it prompts a response back to the muscle or organ from which the original impulse emanated.  In the latter case, the response may result in decreased muscle movement or changes in organ functioning.

Sensory PN - the type experienced by most people - seems to occur initially at the extremities of the longest nerves furthest from the spinal cord and brain.  Consequently the feet, being at the end of the line, are usually the first to be hit with pain and numbness.  Frequently the hands are next.  Over time the affliction can spread to ankles, legs and arms if the underlying cause is not addressed.

 

Causes:

Speaking about causes, there are said to be more than 100 different ones.  Diabetes is considered the most common, at least in developed countries.  It is variously estimated that 30 to 65% of people with diabetes an PN to some degree or other.

Various toxins and metallic poisons (such as arsenic, lead and mercury), certain chemicals (especially solvents and some insecticides), excessive alcohol intake, vitamin deficiencies (particularly B12) or vitamin excesses (B6), other nutritional imbalances, and a number of drugs can all cause peripheral neuropathy.  It can also result from kidney failure, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, abnormal blood proteins, cancer (and even cancer chemotherapy), leukemia and shingles.

Certain repetitive activities such as typing can also be the cause of some neuropathies.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is one example.  This is a so-called entrapment neuropathy - a condition resulting from a nerve lesion at a point where the nerve is confined to a narrow passageway.

A tendency toward PN can also be inherited.  A family history of the disorder increases the likelihood.

 

Tests:

If a physician suspects neuropathy, thorough evaluation and testing may five clues to the probable cause and may suggest a course of treatment.  For example, it is important to know whether the injury is to the nerve fibers themselves or to the myelin sheath covering them.  Also, the severity of the injury can be established through tests.

A search for reversible causes is always important.  For instance, it might be determined that a certain toxin in the blood, or a deficiency of vitamin B12, is the culprit.

Even when the cause of the primary neuropathy has been established, medical practitioners will sometimes wish to determine whether another disorder may be involved an co-exist with the primary neuropathy.  This is particularly true where there is a frequent relationship between the two.

 

Importance of Early Action:

Without prompt attention, the pain and other symptoms almost invariably gets worse.  Moreover, neuropathies often tend to advance in the body, causing more and more areas to be affected.  Also, if attention is delayed certain neuropathies can become more difficult to treat.  Consequently it is vitally important that you see a medical professional at once if you experience pain or numbing sensations, particularly in the feet or hands, or if you have noticed gradual muscular weakness.  Also, you need to educate yourself.
 

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