Small fiber neuropathy?
I never had a biopsy to dx it. I’m wondering if I have the biopsy does it make a difference in the therapies? A year ago I was dx’d with severe chronic nerve damage in lumbar and cspine: polyradiculopathy.
I have severe pain and spasms in lumbosacral back, legs and feet since 2021.
In the summer of 2023 I started (an continue having) get spasms in the trapezeous muscles on the right.
I’m currently flaring with bad pains to both shoulder that is crippling then after a long while it disappears. I developed lightning like pains to the bottoms of my feet and toes. The only thing that seemingly helps the surface pain is the lidocaine cream I apply. So far…
The neuromuscular doctor said last year no long fiber neuropathy per the nerve conduction study. She said I’d need a biopsy to determine if i have sfn.
An old nerve doctor said I had demyelination in left leg she thought secondary to diabetes. WEll, the diabetes hasnt climbed to damaging enough numbers to put me in flair much less cause the demyelination.
The foot dr last week gave referral for feet, for neuropathy and balance. So this confuses me. It all does.
I’d like to know if SNF can move around the body and cause the tingling in forarms and fingers and can the pain in SNF affect the very surface of the skin?
If someone can make sense of what Ive written I’d appreciate any help insight or feedback.
I have not received a diagnosis regarding the polyradiculopathy. I’m going to press the doctors for answers now because it’s really out of control.
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For me, had MRI of lumbar/sacrum (have to look at reports to recall). Some stenosis, moderate damage throughout (DJD), different things (medical speak) over my head. I had a fall over 20 years ago that messed up my cspine have not had a recent mri of it. I know it’s a mess too. It could be causing some of the trouble in the shoulders, traps, arms and hands. The rheumy dx’d psoriatic arthritis due to findings in sacrum. So have problems there. So there are issues with the back. The pt did gentle massage but I had trigger points (i think that is what they are termed). Along with pain, assorted nerve sensations, numbing, the balance issues have been building. Something needs to change. Thank you for your post.
What treatment did you have?
Yes, mine is autoimmune. I tested 13 for RA but you have to test at or above 14. Really one point off.
They believe it’s RA. The doctor in Boston thinks lupus or sjogerns. I am not diabetic. My hypothyroidism started way after diagnosed with neuropathy.
Does your hypothyroidism have anything to due with nodules in the thyroid?
I have a history (looong ago) of intermittent hyperthyroidism (suppressed tsh). That said, didn’t have the conditions I have now.
So, w/neuropathy in arm so far (since found last year) does one have anything to do with the other?
I am diabetic for roughly 20 years.
My endo at the time (she stopped her practice) said, It is common for woman to have nodules. I didn’t have an appointment to meet her to discuss the second ultrasound. She wanted to see me two weeks after the US>. Well, that didn’t happen so I need to find another endo to review US and diabetes treatment etc. So I have unanswered questions. I have nodules in other organs that popped up in the last 2-3 years. So, am wondering if that is a symptom of something. Thanks.
I've had nephropathy for a few years I was taking B12 sublingual 5,000mcg for years had numbness in feet gradually up to my hips. Then had my doctor test me for B vitamins and they were high both B6 and B12 so after getting a DNA test they said I lack the enzyme needed to process B vitamins after I started taking L-Folate the metabolically processed Folate that converts the B vitamins in the body and stopped taking the high dose of B12 I'm feeling better less numbness but still there but the skin peeling on my hands went away so that and other things were caused by B12 toxicity which has the same symptoms as low B12 which was why I was taking the B12 but I guess without the enzyme it won't process in the stomach go figure.
I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Something similar happened to me with B6, but I didn't know about B12 toxicity.
I think I remember being told that excess B12 just goes out of your body with urine so toxicity isn't usually a concern, but I guess you're right and without the enzyme to help your body process it you could easily fall behind when taking a supplement.
Excess B6 is more well-known for causing the same symptoms as low B12. In my situation, my neuropathy had improved and then slowly started getting worse and we didn't know why. When my B levels were tested, my B6 was high, though I wasn't knowingly supplementing. It turned out I was drinking one daily Liquid IV (the electrolyte supplement) because I have POTS, and electrolyte supplements are one way to manage the symptoms. Liquid IV is supplemented with B12 and B6, and I didn't even know it. It's 140% the recommended daily value. Thankfully, I switched electrolyte supplements, and my neuropathy went back to baseline.
Now, one of my pet peeves (as someone who needs to use electrolyte/hydration supplements daily) is the proliferation of all the different formulations that have all this extra stuff in it and artificial sugar when the WHO formulation for an oral rehydration solution requires real sugar and doesn't require the extra vitamins/minerals. But that's an argument for another post >_
I’m glad the doctor ordered the appropriate test to determine the cause of the problem before throwing more meds at the situation! Feel better.
I spoke with a doctor today about the Ketamine and he said it can cause negative recall of experiences. Was this your experience? He said it could act somewhat like LSD. Thank you!
I actuality had to ask for the test because remembered my mother getting B12 shots wondered if there was a connection which there was lol. Thanks.
My medical diagnosis as stated by specialist:
Sensory inflammatory Neuropathy