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How do doctors determine SFN is NOT ALS or MS?

Neuropathy | Last Active: Mar 19 8:36am | Replies (15)

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@domiha

Thanks, John! I will check out the articles. Based on what you quoted above, I suppose my EMG would have noted if there was an indication of ALS. Hopefully, the neurophysiologist I will see next week can calm some of my fears. Mike

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Replies to "Thanks, John! I will check out the articles. Based on what you quoted above, I suppose..."

Hi, From what you report from your testing, the neuropathy seems to be associated with specific spinal nerve roots being compressed. Is your concern arising from symptoms you're having? When our spinal nerves are compressed, they can cause radiculopathy. Those symptoms can easily cause muscle weakness as well as a range of sensory and pain symptoms. Can you say why the podiatrist did the biopsy? Do you also have diabetes? It would not be uncommon for a diabetic patient to acquire a small nerve fiber neuropathy particularly in their feet. When I've had NCS & muscle stimulation tests, I had no nerve compression on-going. It specifically pointed out a different condition which was clearly labeled on the report as a different type of neuropathy. Mine was related to the myelin sheath around the nerves being destroyed. But it was not MS and certainly not ALS. My point being there is a wide range of disorders related to nerves and even with noted disease, the odds of it being some that you fear most are extremely low especially given how your report read. I hope you don't worry too much and I wish you the best.