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Neuropathy | Last Active: Aug 30, 2023 | Replies (105)
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Hello @mellotrout, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for posting. I think both the EMG and the skin biopsy are useful tools but the punch skin biopsy is more definitive from what I've read. This is just one article I've read in the past that agrees with what you said.
Diagnosing Small Fiber Neuropathy Through the Use of Skin Biopsy
-- http://practicalneurology.com/2009/10/PN1009_06.php
This short video by Matthew B Jensen Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin that gives a good explanation of how the different neuropathies are diagnosed. You can do a Google search for Matthew B Jensen YouTube videos for other neuropathy related videos that give good explanations.
Replies to "Hello @mellotrout, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for posting. I think both the EMG..."
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Hi @johnbishop. The article link you shared is right on point. I can tell you from experience the EMG and any other test other than the skin punch biopsy will not give the patient a proper diagnosis. I was sent for multiple EMG’s where they would twist my legs like a pretzel haha until they could get a reading. None of the EMG tests over 3 years ever showed signs of SFN. Only when I sought a second opinion, waited six months for an appointment to have the skin biopsy and the QSART test done, did my life change in a positive way. Please don’t get me wrong, I was less than thrilled with confirmed SFN, however, at least now we had a course of treatment. As I’ve said before, Lyrica works really well for me. Many other meds (Cymbalta, etc) did not. Cannabis helps distract the brain. I encourage everyone with potential SFN to read the link shared by @johnbishop here. While it is from 2009, it is the most comprehensive, understandable article on that topic I’ve seen. I wish you all a positive, pain free day