What is peripheral neuritis?
PERIPHERAL NEURITIS can occur anywhere in the body. It may begin with a prickly or tingling feeling in the hands and / or feet, and is followed by sensations of numbness and cold. That numbness spreads and is followed by severe muscular cramps, weakness of the limbs, and lack of coordination. Some of the symptoms may improve or disappear when the cause is removed, but the damage can in some cases remain irreversible. Peripheral neuritis is a form of nerve damage. Patients using Thalidomide are advised to immediately stop taking Thalidomide and contact their doctor if they experience the first symptoms associated with nerve damage which include burning, numbness, or tingling of the arms, hands, legs, or feet. It is then, with a doctor’s advice that the patient can decide whether the benefit they may be receiving from Thalidomide use for their condition outweighs the risks of possible permanent damage to their nerves by continued use of the drug. It was concern over reports of this side
