Small Fiber Neuropathy: Book Recommendation

Hi @rwinney, Thanks for sharing this resource. I see that one of the authors is Dr. David Walk. I have heard him speak several times at meetings of the Minnesota Neuropathy Association. He is an excellent speaker and I found his talks very interesting. I miss that the MNA no longer holds meetings 🙁

David Walk, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota
-- https://www.health.umn.edu/people/experts/david-walk-md

I will have to order a copy! Here's a link for the paperback edition on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Small-Nerves-Big-Problems-Comprehensive/dp/B07K6Z1YCN/

Hi John
Thanks for adding the link! I posted late last night because I couldnt sleep as usual. My mind wanders during that time and it was like a light bulb went off that I had yet to post this info. Hands were in awful pain so I rushed through it. I hope you enjoy the read. Thanks again!
~Rachel

I have both large and small fiber neuropathy, What do you recommend for pain? and can someone share with me what symptoms I can expect. The neuropathy is not bad, just a little in my toes. I have leg pain especially at night. I am taking Gabapentin 300 mg one in the morning and three at night., most recently Tramadol and Robaxin to take with severe pain only. I am also taking probiotics since I have ask for something more natural. Can anyone suggest anything else and advise me as what to expect as the disease progresses? My daughter was recently dx with small FN. how are these two different.? Thank you in advance. Jeanie

Hello Jeanie @jeanie26, I don't have pain with my small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I just have numbness and there's not much that helps with that. I plan to try Myofascial Release Therapy as soon as I can find a therapist close to me. I think that may help some but I don't know. I shared my story and what has helped me in a post earlier on Connect here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/?pg=42#comment-65985. You might want to join the following discussion to learn what others have shared that helps them:

> Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

Also, here is the discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy which others have also recommended:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

I would recommend that you learn as much as you can about your condition. Here is a series of short videos by Matthew B. Jensen, Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin -- Introduction to Neurology: Level 1 that can give you a better understanding of the different conditions:
-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJaXGRxxjnF2mvLiOFmmHLQ

Hi Jeanie, I have SFN in my feet and hands, gabapentin at night allows me to sleep and holds off most of the pain during the day. I also take R-Ala, magnesium, vit. D, C and an Omega 3 liquid which I think helps prevent the progression and pain. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

I am taking almost the same medications.

Did your doctor(s) give you any explanation as to possible causes of your neuropathy? Is genetics a factor since your daughter has it? I wonder what your daughter's age range is if the doctors did not give you an explanation for it. What about environmental risk factors? Dental work or other toxic exposure? I wonder what's going on. There doesn't seem to be much curiosity about neuropathy on this board except for the most obvious source for large fiber which is diabetes.

Diabetes does seem to be the leader along with idiopathic neuropathy. My cause is B12 deficiency.
More than just pain, burning, numbness and tingling I also experience palpitations, exhaustion, and shortness of breath. I dont hear much about the later symptons and wonder who else experiences them. B12 injections have helped me level out but still not normal. Dr says it too is part of SFN but, I don't recall seeing anyone speak of these symptoms. Also, my pain is throughout my body at an agressive rate with my legs now limiting me to walk and drive. I do appreciate the info shared through the forum about slowing progression down. Thank you.

Jeanie ~ the book I have recently referenced deals with large fiber as well and I hope it along with the links that are being referred to you can help ypu and your daughter.

I wonder if anyone in the forum has experienced small fiber turning into large fiber and what the progression of time was between. Obviously realizing that we all progress differently, I'm interested anyway. There is alot to think about going forward.

So what did the Dr. say caused your vitamin B12 deficiency? Are you vegan? Have you had gut issues? What age range are you in? Have you been exposed to pesticides like Roundup, toxic metals, amalgam fillings, a lot of vaccines, a lot of fluoroquinolones like Cipro of Levaquin?

Posters need to help us identify the most common causes of neuropathy by asking their doctors for likely causes as well as indicating if any of the above may be a factor in your case.

No vegan, no toxin exposures, no gut problems, normal vaccinations, no meds you mentioned. I went to a gastro Dr last week and am waiting on 5 more blood draws to look deeper into possibilities. My neurologist did a 4 month thorough workup on me but he can't answer why my b12 was low. I want to know and understand in case there is something hereditary I should be aware of for my children's sake. The gastro Dr literally admitted that I was making him "really think" due to my questions. There are many tests going forward but am starting with blood.