Types of Peripheral Neuropathy - Inflammatory

Idiopathic | Pre-diabetic/Diabetic | Hereditary | Toxic/Secondary to Drugs | Inflammatory | Systemic/Metabolic |
Compression | Other Types of PN

It is estimated that nearly one-third of people with HIV/AIDS experience some peripheral nerve damage. For patients with HIV/AIDS, peripheral neuropathy can by caused by the virus itself, by certain drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS or other complications, or as a result of opportunistic infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus [CMV], candidiasis [thrush], herpes, tuberculosis). Neuropathy could also result from other associated causes, such as heavy alcohol consumption and vitamin deficiency.

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that HIV/AIDS patients usually experience include burning, stiffness, prickling, tingling, and numbness or a loss of feeling in the toes and soles of the feet. Sometimes the nerves in the fingers, hands, and wrists are also affected. Although relatively uncommon, pain above the ankles could indicate more severe nerve damage.

Peripheral neuropathy is a potential side effect of certain medications used to treat HIV/AIDS. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), or "d-drugs", are most frequently associated with peripheral neuropathy. This group of drugs includes:

Other forms of NRTIs (3TC [Epivir®, AZT [Retrovir®], and abacavir [Ziagen®], along with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors, are not generally associated with peripheral neuropathy.

Hydroxyurea (Droxia®, Hydrea®), a drug used to treat cancer that may also help certain anti-HIV drugs work better, appears to increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy

Other drugs used in the treatment of HIV-related disorders that can increase the chance of developing peripheral neuropathy include:

• Dapsone, used for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
• Isoniazid, (INH, Nydrazid®), used to treat tuberculosis
• Metronidazole (Flagyl®), used to treat amoebic dysentery and microsporidiosis
• Vincristine (Oncovin®), used for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Thalidomide, used to treat cancers, wasting syndrome and severe mouth ulcers
• Ethambutol (Myambutol®), used to treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and other bacterial infections

Peripheral neuropathy caused by these medications can often be treated by reducing the dosage or withdrawing the drug. Although it can take several months for the nerves to completely heal after discontinuing these treatments, the patient may start to feel better within a few weeks. In extreme cases, the nerve damage may be permanent.

SYMPTOMS

(Not all symptoms and signs may be present.)

• Mild-to-severe pain
• Sensations in feet and toes, including:
• Burning
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Stiffness

EVALUATION AND TESTS

(Not all evaluation and tests may be necessary.)

For peripheral neuropathy:

• Neurological exam
• Electromyography
• Nerve conduction velocity test

For HIV/AIDS:

• Blood tests

TREATMENT AND THERAPY

(Not all treatments and therapies may be indicated.)

• Discontinue drugs that cause peripheral neuropathy
• Institute non-drug treatments to reduce pain, such as:
• Avoiding extended periods of standing or walking
• Wearing looser shoes
• Soaking feet in ice water
• Maintain adequate nutrition
• Pain medication
• Take safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation
• Ask your doctor about special therapeutic shoes (which may be covered by Medicare and other insurance)