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Small Fiber Neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: May 5 3:07pm | Replies (85)

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@emo

That’s amazing that your symptoms have improved. I can’t really speak for your doctor of course, but the symptoms you describe are all symptoms of small fiber (or in some cases large fiber) neuropathy.

My symptoms are the same; I very rarely had what I’d describe as pain, like “ouch” pain, but numbness, tingling, etc. are still considered variations of pain, and I have small fiber neuropathy.

I’m not sure if this would explain your doctor’s response at all but the first neurologist I saw said I was fine; it wasn’t until I saw the next neurologist who had experienced treating SFN that she diagnosed it. At the time I suspected some physicians just aren’t as familiar with this type of neuropathy because it’s usually a clinical diagnosis (no objective test because an EMG won’t catch it). I’ve been had a skin punch biopsy (the more common way to diagnose it), but my numbers were “low normal.” Even so, that test can miss 30% of cases (per my neurologist). So while there is no objective “proof” of the diagnosis, I still have the symptoms, and therefore the condition.

It took me a long time to accept this, and it’s a long story, but I have multiple other conditions that also are clinical diagnoses—made based on my symptoms and experience, but as of now, no test exists. It’s sadly common. And these are often the conditions that have no known cure.

I don’t know if that helps. But it sounds as though I have the same symptoms and I have SFN.

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@emo.

I get what you’re saying and I agree, but I specifically asked the neurologist about SFN. He said no, you don’t have that. He is a pain specialist, so I would think a lot of his patients have neuropathy pain. I actually saw this neurologist many years ago for a stubborn back spasm. I got therapy in his office’s building. There were many patients there for therapy. I recall thinking it was sad their feet were so painful. They were his patients. So I know he’s treated diabetic neuropathy pain for a long time….like 20 years.

I just don’t know why he would not recognize mine. Oh, I’ve also had 2 orthopedic podiatrists tell me that they didn’t think it was neuropathy. Lol So………I’m not sure what to think.

If it returns, then I guess I’ll just have to revisit it. If not, all is well. I’m working on my diabetes control as hard as I can. There really isn’t anything more I can do with the diabetes. Trying to get it as low as possible. And, my B12 is now good. Not much I can do about Post Covid Syndrome. Just waiting on that. My smell/taste disorder persists.