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Mild neuropathy may be result of medication side effect

Keith Roach, M.D.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have slight numbness and tingling in my feet and lower calves in both legs. It feels almost like my feet are going to sleep. I can feel pressure but not fine-touch sensation. I have been taking 200 mg of amiodarone daily for a year for heart PVCs, and that works very well. However, I have been told that it might be the cause of the numbness. My doctor indicated that it appears to be a mild neuropathy. I think it existed before taking the amiodarone, but seemed to become more noticeable after I was on it. I have been told by my electrophysiologist to stop taking the amiodarone for a few weeks to see if it is the cause of the numbness. I have been off of it for over three weeks now, and while it might be a bit better, I still have the numbness, so that might not be the problem. There is no pain, just the annoyance of the numbness. There is no history of diabetes in myself nor my family. Can you discuss this? — R.W.

ANSWER: The sensation of numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and “going to sleep” are all most commonly associated with abnormalities in the nerves. When symptoms of nerve damage are prolonged, the condition is called by the general term “neuropathy,” and there are many different types. It can be very difficult to make a diagnosis of what exactly is causing a neuropathy, but when it is on both sides, it is very likely to be a systemic problem, rather than a local problem, like a nerve compression.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters or mail questions to P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

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