Small Fiber Neuropathy?

Posted by elsa @elsa, Jan 23, 2019

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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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 7, 2019

In reply to @iceblue "What is 'hydro'? Every time I see that word here all I can think of is..." + (show)

@iceblue
Hydro=water
Jake

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 7, 2019

In reply to @burningfeetinphoenix "@albiet...I first saw two Podiatrists. Both gave me two, so total of 4 misdiagnosis. Pam" + (show)

@burningfeetinphoenix
Do you remember any of those mis-diagnosis’s?
Jake

iceblue | @iceblue | Oct 7, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@iceblue Hydro=water Jake" + (show)

LOL - Thanks Leonard 🙂 I have been under the impression that Hydro is short form for some sort of drug? Am I wrong?

burningfeetinphoenix | @burningfeetinphoenix | Oct 7, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@burningfeetinphoenix Do you remember any of those mis-diagnosis’s? Jake" + (show)

@jakedduck1...Yes. 1. Morton's Neuroma 2. Planter's Faciatis (sp?) 3. Athlete's 'Foot 4. Poor circulation. Wasted 4 months and lots of $$$. Pam

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 7, 2019

In reply to @burningfeetinphoenix "@jakedduck1...Yes. 1. Morton's Neuroma 2. Planter's Faciatis (sp?) 3. Athlete's 'Foot 4. Poor circulation. Wasted 4..." + (show)

@burningfeetinphoenix
Athletes foot, really. When I had plantar fasciitis I don’t remember my feet burning but they hurt like the dickens. Could hardly walk. My Podiatrist knew right away what it was but I slipped down a few stairs in a boat, that probably gave him a clue. He offered me Neurontin when it came out but it didn’t help. Claim is it works better when taken with an opioid. Not sure if it’s a specific opioid or if any ol one will do???
Jake

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 7, 2019

In reply to @iceblue "LOL - Thanks Leonard :) I have been under the impression that Hydro is short form..." + (show)

@iceblue
No, I can think of a few drugs that start with hydro
1. Hydrochlorothiazide a diuretic
2. Hydrocodone / Vicodin pain pill
3. Hydromorphone / Dilaudid Pain med - great for kidney stones
Jake

iceblue | @iceblue | Oct 8, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@iceblue No, I can think of a few drugs that start with hydro 1. Hydrochlorothiazide a..." + (show)

Thanks Jake! I'm going to assume people are referring to the 2nd or 3rd on your list.

chace61 | @chace61 | Oct 8, 2019

Maybe over a year... i kept increasing to 900 per dose.. I saw no relief. I stopped... cold... now using CBD cream on legs... it helps... but does not kill all the pain. I am miserable and irritable ... my co workers are aware.... but it sucks to hurt 24 x 7