Over 20 million people in the US live with some sort of nerve pain. Living with nerve pain can be debilitating and demoralizing. Especially if you haven’t yet found a doctor that can offer sufficient or correct treatment.

Choosing a nerve pain doctor is an important step on the road to a more fulfilled life. The right doctor should respect and actively seek to treat your nerve issues.

When you do find a doctor you feel comfortable with, your work still isn’t done. You’ll need to ask the right questions to get the answers and find the nerve pain treatment you’ve been looking for. Below, you’ll find seven questions everyone suffering from nerve pain should be asking their nerve pain specialist.

1. What Could be Causing My Nerve Pain?

Unexplained pain is one of the worst types of pain. It’s natural to want answers from the medical expert you’re seeing. Your doctor may have to run some tests to determine this, as there can be several different causes.

Diabetes is one of the foremost causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. Other possibilities include injury, surgery, and vitamin deficiencies—the list goes on and on.

2. What Is My Best Course of Treatment?

There are several different things your doctor might suggest as a peripheral neuropathy treatment. Depending on the location of the pain, and how severe it is, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter painkillers, steroid injections, or radiofrequency ablation. You should ask your doctor for a full list of your treatment options, even if they do not offer all at that particular location.

3. What Tests Are You Going to Run?

Your doctor will likely need to run several tests to determine the exact issue. In order to stay in the loop, you might want to enquire about what tests they will be running. Some common tests include blood tests, MRI scans, and nerve function tests.

4. Are There Lifestyle Changes I Should Make?

If there’s anything you can do to alleviate your symptoms while awaiting treatment, you’ll want to do them. Things such as giving up smoking and alcohol, or gently exercising more often can all help with nerve pain. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what might help in your specific case.

5. Should I See Any Other Specialists?

While you should start by talking to your primary care doctor, there are other experts who may be able to help. Sometimes your doctor will recommend seeing a neurologist, for example. If the cause of your pain remains a mystery, you may need to see multiple experts.

6. Am I in a High-Risk Group?

Peripheral neuropathy has many risk factors. Those who abuse alcohol, suffer vitamin deficiencies, and have been exposed to toxins are all at a higher risk. Your doctor will be able to provide you with a full list of at-risk groups.

7. What Supports Are Available?

Though this is not a medical question, it’s worth asking your doctor. He or she will likely be able to put you in touch with local support groups for sufferers of peripheral neuropathy. Sharing your story can help to lighten the load.

Speak to a Nerve Pain Doctor Today

Hopefully, the above guide has helped enlighten you about good questions to ask your nerve pain doctor. Never be afraid to seek to understand more about your health. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please check out the rest of our content now.