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Small Fiber Neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: Dec 9 3:57pm | Replies (95)

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@linuxusr

I do not understand SFN. What is the name of the test that concluded SFN? For example my EMG results indicates (paraphrasing), a severe peripheral polyneuropathy, where the disfuntion is in sensori-motor axonal signaling, and "poly" meaning multiple nerves in all peripheral limbs: hands and arms; feet and legs.

Could it be that SFN is also included it my report or is SNF a different diagnosis resolved from a lab distinct from EMG? I received an explanation of my lab result in Spanish, my second language, so I could not ask further questions.

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Replies to "I do not understand SFN. What is the name of the test that concluded SFN? For..."

@linuxusr
SFN is a separate diagnosis. It requires a skin punch biopsy. I had tissue samples from my ankle/calf and upper thigh that showed severe small fiber nerve damage. SFN can affect your whole body over time and impacts skin sensations and autonomic nervous system that controls heart, lungs and digestion. Mine started in my feet with burning, pins and needles and tingling pain/sensations and moved up my legs to arms/hands and have symptoms affecting heart, breathing and digestion (my gallbladder stopped working which was confirmed by a HIDA scan. It can be very painful/uncomfortable. I take alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements, 100 mg Gabapentin (at night), and use lidocaine patches/creams for nerve pain.

An EMG tests for a dysfunction between your brain and nerves. It does not test for SFN. After many tests, including an EMG, all that were ruled out; and the tingling, burning, pins and needles in my fingers and toes turned out to be SFN, which effects the most distal nerve endings (hence fingers and toes). Mine was caused by taking the statin, Rosuvastatin. It started about 2 months into the drug and got progressively worse. I know my body and that was the only lifestyle change I’d made. I took myself off the drug. My primary requested lots of tests and bloodwork and then sent me to a neurologist. I went to one of the best in Boston. He agreed that the SFN was caused by Rosuvastatin and assured me that my nerve endings would heal themselves. It took 5-6 months to finally be 100% healed, but I’m back to my old self.