It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Tabes Dorsalis, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Peripheral Neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the nerves in the body away from the brain and spinal cord. This damage causes weakness, numbness, pain and in the limbs. It can also impact bodily functions like digestion, urination and blood circulation. Symptoms include numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, sharp burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination and having falls, muscle weakness, paralysis, excessive sweating or not sweating at all, inability to control bladder or bowels, and sudden onset of dizziness. Peripheral neuropathy can be misdiagnosed as myelopathy, syringomyelia, and tabes dorsalis.