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I am a 56 year old female who has been experiencing symptoms of neuropathy since February of 2021. My symptoms began with tingling/electrical/burning sensations that started in my one foot and then moved to both feet. Coincidentally, or not, I also had a strange marking/rash on my left calf, that did not itch and was not raised, that went away with time. The neuropathic symptoms traveled to my arms and hands. Sometimes all was tingling/burning and other times it would just be the feet or the hands. I also began to have diarrhea on a regular basis. Sometimes I would wake up with burning in my upper trunk. The symptoms may last five minutes or an hour. They would come and go. I was also having joint pain in my fingers and knees and my feet hurt when I first woke up.
I had multiple tests (blood work, colonoscopy, endoscopy for Celiac, Celiac panel, brain MRI, RA, Lupus, Lymes, metals, EMG/nerve conduction) and they all came back with nothing too significant. I did have low Vitamin D and taking supplements resolved the joint pain. I also had slightly elevated IgA (maybe 15 points over where it should be). My brain MRI had a few lesions but the neurologist was not concerned. My primary doctor had me go off Gluten.
My symptoms went away for awhile but they came back this April. I had been eating gluten again so I am now off of it again (3 weeks now) but the symptoms are still present.
I ran across this group and wondered if these symptoms sound familiar and if I could have small cell fiber neuropathy? My aunt and uncle (both 80) have neuropathy. I am interested in this groups thoughts. My neurologist felt dismissive so I will not go back to him.
Replies to "I am a 56 year old female who has been experiencing symptoms of neuropathy since February..."
Let me add that you may find that your changes do not need to be as inclusive as mine. My neuropathy started in the summer of 2020, and it took me a long time and adjustment to find things that helped and worked for me.
My daily pattern of “healing work” changes with the new things I learn.
Hi @kmst1994, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we merged your discussion with another discussion on the same topic. If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of the email notification it will take you to the Small Fiber Neuropathy where you can meet @kfrenc04, @acv, @julkun, @cehunt57 and other members discussing small fiber neuropathy.
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some complementary and integrative therapies that you might find helpful here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/complementary-therapies/
I shared my neuropathy story in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/
Do you mind sharing what symptom of your neuropathy bothers you the most?
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I have small fiber neuropathy, as well as other conditions. I find mine is greatly affected by diet. I have removed foods that are neuroexcitatory in affect and find that this helps. For me, this means eating foods that are low in glutamate. I don’t have processed foods and avoid corn, soy, dairy, and gluten, as well as the nightshades. I stick to organic as much as possible.
Simce my neuropathy is worsened by stress, I practice meditation and do mild exercise; mostly yoga with YouTube videos, as well as walking.
I sometimes wear compression garments, particularly if a low pressure front is coming in, as that affects my neuropathy as well. I find that this often helps.
My default, when stress and/or neuropathic pain increase, is to go directly to breathing exercises. At various times, I do Buteyko and box breathing. I find that both are very effective at decreasing a neuroexcitatory response. This in turn decreases my burning and pain. I try to remember to breath to my belly throughout the day.
For me, it’s important to avoid becoming overheated or too cold.
This has required a lot of research and hard work, but it has become a matter of rote for me. With daily practice of the above, my flares have decreased appreciably.
Good luck! We’re all so different, but maybe some of this will help you.