This amazing description of MFR helped me move forward in scheduling a consult with PT again!!!!

After 3 years of trial and error with epidurals, nerve blocks and radio frequency ablations on my head, neck and back, my body went through physical and emotional stress to no avail. Along with chronic migraine causing the majority of it in the earlier stages, emphasis was always placed on my necks 2 bulging disc and 1 moderately herniated disc then later lumbar mild herniated disc. My GP was always dumbfounded why I felt so much pain and spinal doctors kept saying no to surgery. I never benefited from PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, blah, blah, blah. Pain management provided less and less relief while creating more pain. I started to think I was a hypochondriac because every part of me began hurting at different times for no real reason. A rheumatologist dismissed fibromyalgia, EMG and nerve conduction studies were normal, SED rates were normal, I had my strength but boy did I pay the price after using it. I had begun having nerve pains and arm numbness a while back but everything was blamed on my neck and ablation side effects. I had slowly been losing myself and my life. Left my job after 27 years to go on disability for migraines at age 46 and that was after I had cataract surgeries and corneal transplants at age 43.

I'm sorry to be going on and on... long story short...my New Year's resolution this year was to tell my new neurologist that something WAS WRONG neurologically beyond my chronic migraine and if he couldnt figure it out, I was going to the MAYO CLINIC. He immediately ordered skin biopsy and I tested positive for small fiber neuropathy with a B12 deficiency. My work up lasted over 4 months and was thorough. Amen to having a diagnosis that finally pieced my puzzle together. Such a relief to know I wasn't going crazy, but, my body was!

My neuropathy is wide spread from occipitals, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, upper back, lower back, left hip, legs, and right toe. These areas vary day to day in their pain intensity with flare ups that trade off. I've had or have numbness, pins and needles, sun burn sensation, vibrations, cold flush, hot spots, sweats, palpitations, shortness of breath, internal burning, feeling of lumps under my foot. Also diagnosed with Chilblains last month after a nasty outbreak and my feet and toes love to turn bright red, purple/almost blackish. Im telling you, I couldnt make this stuff up! Haha!

The moral of my story is to KEEP PERSEVEERING, keep being your OWN ADVOCATE. I am now 49 and am experimenting with weekly IV lidocaine infusions in hopes of reducing/eliminating my hydrocodone intake. I take Hydro, Lyrica CR, Duloxatine, Magnesium, Tumeric. I receive B12 injections every 2 weeks, Emgality migraine self injection monthly and Botox injections every 3 months. Now, after all this, Im going to try myofacial release to hopefully help undo some of the pent up crap my body and brain has endured. Hoping the SFN that lives within can handle it.

Be well everyone and thanks so much for listening...guess I really needed to get that out and if nothing more, I hope I have at least helped someone else out there.

Jump to this post