Until I received the biopsy results, I assume I had Peripheral neuropathy basically because I lacked knowledge about small and large fiber neuropathy. After the biopsies, my symptoms were typical for small fiber neuropathy.

Neurology is specialized so your general practice physician would not normally have the skill set to diagnose neuropathy. Maybe neuropathy associated with diabetes. Per my neurologist, large fiber neuropathy affects joint mobility and associated with rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Small fiber neuropathy affects smaller nerve branches affecting my feet and hands. Numbness, burning, tingling, thumb tack like stabbing pains, cramping, dry eyes and mouth, hypersensitivity to cold, constipation, excessive sweating, and problems walking, standing, gait, and/or falling. I am not trying to play doctor here, but if this information helps one person receive pain relief, or helps them identify the best course of action for themselves, it is worth time to sharing what I know. Being told by a neurologist that you have neuropathy, and that there is nothing they can do for you is a helpless, hopeless situation. Feeling helpless and hopeless can cause anger and resentment which may lead to depression.

There is hope and help, you just have to find right resources. Things that can done. Though there is no known cure for it, there ways to slow down its progression, and in some cases nerves can rebuild themselves.

In my case Flexeril, a muscle relaxer, calmed the nerves, and provided pain relief and the ability to resume my normal activities. Of course, every case is different.

I highly recommend the biopsies to obtain a clear diagnosis.