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A member asked:
Biggest difference between rls and neuropathy?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Not much in common: Neuropathy is a disorder of peripheral nerve function due to diabetes, nutritional deficiency, toxins, infection, auto immune attack etc. One has numbness and parasthesias and may go on to develop weakness and muscle atrophy. Neuropathy affects the longest nerves first (feet) followed by legs and hands. RLS causes vague discomfort that is relieved by walking and is due to low dopamine or iron.
Answered 3/26/2020
3.7k views
Big differences: The biggest difference? RLS is caused by changes in the brain, neuropathy is caused by changes in the nerves. RLS symptoms improve with walking, and sometimes with iron supplements and dopamine agonists. The EMG test is normal for RLS. In neuropathy, none of those treatments help, and the EMG should be abnormal. Diabetes and vit B12 deficiency are common causes of neuropathy.
Answered 2/27/2020
3.7k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
I suffer from GAD, SAD & Hypochondria since many years. I have mild neuropathy & Idiopathic RLS also, taken anxiety med such as Effexor in past but couldn't continue it due to side-effects, doctor suggest Cymbalta now, Can i expect same side effects?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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