← Return to Help asking doctor if this is small fiber neuropathy or something else

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@jeffrapp

Hi Albeit
Your case is somewhat complicated by the fact that you have symptoms that are not well localized in space and time.
You don't say how you got the diagnosis of SFN. There is a definitive test for this condition, a skin biopsy of the foot and another for the thigh for control purposes. You also should have had a nerve conduction study. SFN is not generally a diagnosis of exclusion, as you implied in the last sentence of your first paragraph.
I don't think this forum is the place for you to be told what tests to tell your doctor to order.
I share your frustration with the lack of time allotted for medical visits. The neurologist will not be able to explain all your symptoms with one diagnosis, or generally with one visit. His/her job is to get a good history and exam, then get the appropriate tests in the correct order (the results of one test often lead to another test).
One thing that might help is for you to list your symptoms, diagnoses, and previous test results in chronological order on a piece of paper that you can show to him/her. Then try to relax as much as possible, and let the system proceed.
Good luck, and keep us posted.

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Replies to "Hi Albeit Your case is somewhat complicated by the fact that you have symptoms that are..."

That is a great reply Jeff.

@jeffrapp @johnbishop @rwinney Jeff,
thank you for your kind reply. 10 years ago they did the punch test and it came up positive for small fiber neuropathy. i apologize if it sounded like i want to tell the dr what i wanted done. its more the questions to ask and the best way to discribe the symptoms. as you can tell from the way i wrote myoriginal question, im not that good at being clear

also i know that everyone has different symptoms, but im trying to see if beside the numbess and tingling, do others here with sfn get chattering teeth, tinitus or hed cloudiness and would consider it from their sfn?