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Small Fiber Neuropathy?
Hello. I'm a 64 year old woman who has a complex medical history. I have relapsing-remitting MS (diagnosed in 2006, well-controlled; on Copaxone). I also ruptured my L5-S6 disc in 2009, subsequently had a microdiscectomy during which the surgeon tore the dura. Since the surgery, I developed chronic pain which worsened with time. Last March I graduated from Mayo's 3-week pain management program. Since then I no longer take any opiates or benzodiazepines which has been a huge step for the better.
That said, in the past few months my pain has spread and changed in nature. I now have bilateral burning sensations in my buttocks and hamstrings. This new pain seems to be burning in the outer part of my skin. It burns whenever I'm sitting or lying down. Any pressure at all on these areas causes really awful burning sensations. I am wondering if I have developed small fiber neuropathy.
Questions: 1) Does my description of this new pressure-sensitive, burning pain sound like it's SFN? 2) I notice that there is some discussion about immunity and SFN. Could my having MS (an autoimmune disease) somehow be causal in the development of SFN? 3) Can anyone recommend a doctor at Mayo in Rochester who could examine me and do the proper tests to hopefully diagnose what's going on?
Thank you much!!
--Elsa
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No concerns about stopping Gabapentin.... want to find something which helps... It seems I am not alone on this quest..
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1 Reaction@jeffrapp
I thought I read that somewhere, I think on Harvard News.
My dad started taking it and had blood pressure issues but he was a C-5 quad.
Jake
@jakedduck1
I know that it coincided with starting Imipramine, but looking at drug interactions between that and the antidepressants I already take, elevated BP is a common side effect. I really hope that I'll be able to keep the Imipramine because it's the first thing that has relieved my pain. Higher BP isn't listed as a side effect of just Imipramine itself.
Jim
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2 Reactions@jakedduck1
I don't plan to stop taking Clonazepam any time soon. One of the things I'm going to try is cutting back on the Imipramine from 100mg to 75. I don't know at which level my BP went up.
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2 ReactionsYour warning is a very important one. I've done a ton of research on Gaba and based on what I've seen, no one should ever stop taking it cold turkey - even if they do not have a seizure disorder.
The first medication my Neurologist suggested was Effexor and I IMMEDIATELY declined. I was on it a decade ago to treat depression, and the side effects were horrendous (including those during the weaning process). Many people say the same things about Gaba - so I knew it could be bad before I started to take it.
Truth be told - there do not seem to be a lot of pain management options for nerve pain, and quite frankly I am tired of being in pain so I'm willing to roll the dice on this one. I am watching carefully for side effects and monitoring how well it manages the pain. Eleven days in and so far so good - but my doctor started me off on 100 mg for 7 days; 200 mg for 7 days, then 300 mg for 14 days. I take it only at night and need to go back and see him before the end of the month. I have been sleeping through the night pain free (yipppeee!) and cannot wait to be able to take it during the day.
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3 ReactionsWhat is 'hydro'? Every time I see that word here all I can think of is hydro electricity...
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3 ReactionsChace. How long have you been on gaba?
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1 ReactionCan I ask What drs are people seeing for for SFN besides a neurologist ?
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1 Reaction@albiet
I first saw a Podiatrist
Jake
@albiet...I first saw two Podiatrists. Both gave me two, so total of 4 misdiagnosis. Pam
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