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My experience with Small Fiber Neuropathy
Neuropathy | Last Active: May 24, 2022 | Replies (85)Comment receiving replies
Hank, I’ve been dx with peripheral neuropathy. It’s much worse in my right leg than my left. The doctor told me it couldn’t be. It would be the same in both. I quit going to him. My symptoms are SEVERE burning in legs and feet. Often weakness also. I’ve tried taking the meds and had terrible reactions. Do you have any suggestions what I should do now? I’m 74 and don’t know how much longer I can stand the pain. I do see a pain specialist and take pain pills. Thank you for any comments you have for me.
Replies to "Hank, I’ve been dx with peripheral neuropathy. It’s much worse in my right leg than my..."
@momalin
I hope for your sake that Jennifer's suggestion is correct, i.e. pinched nerve. From what I have heard, neuropathy does present bilaterally as a rule, so being mostly on one side could be a hopeful sign that it is not sfpn. However, if it is, then sorry to say there is no real cure in most cases. One can hope it will subside on it's own, as it does for a few. But otherwise PN treatment pretty much boils down to pain treatment. Marilyn @steeldove just mentioned the usual course followed by doctors: gabapentin, lyrica and cymbalta (duloxetine). Many here resort to cannabis (marijuana or cannabis oil) which brings relief to quite a few, some try opioids (often with disappointing results). Then there are supplements that are frequently recommended for PN, such as r lipoic acid and benfotiamine. Also curcumin for inflammation. If you have any weak spots healthwise in your lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep and stress level), work on improving in those area as well. I wish you well and hope that in your case what you have is curable.
By the way, you said you were dx'd with neuropathy. By what method did your doctor make this diagnosis? Just wondering. Best, Hank
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@momalin Have you tried physical therapy? It sounds like you could have a pinched nerve somewhere. My physical therapist also does myofascial release which stretches fascia. When things are overly tight, it can compress nerves and the body is not properly aligned so when nerves pass through some small spaces they can get stretched or squished. If it's a physical problem causing the pain, physical therapy may be able to help. If the cause is nerves dying because of aging, physical therapy likely wouldn't help. There are also problems that happen from bad pelvis alignment that cause sciatic pain that are not spine related. Really tight hip flexor muscles because of sitting too much can contributes to sciatic pain and pelvic alignment issues. Physical therapy might be able to help that as well. If you can move better and build strength with better alignment, that can go a long way to reducing pain if you find the right therapist. Here is our discussion about MFR myofascial release.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Here is a provider finder.
http://mfrtherapists.com/
I hope that information gives you a place to start, and none of that involves pain medications.