Hello @joypalmer1 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It is great to have you here and reaching out to connect with others as you learn of this diagnosis.

You will notice that I moved your post into an existing discussion on neuropathy to allow you to better connect with other members. Members who have recently been part of this discussion and who may be able to share more about their specific experience with their evolution of symptoms and current state include @kfrenc04 @retired123 @jkcampbell and @kmst1994. kmst1994.

In the meantime, I thought you might like some of the information that can be found in the link below regarding symptoms and causes.

- Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061

How long have you noticed the tingling and pins and needles sensations?

Good afternoon @joypalmer1, I notice that Amanda has reached out to some other SFN (Small Fiber Neuropathy) members. I didn't see my name......so I am kind of butting in here. However, there is one easy way to validate the SFN diagnosis and that is a simple skin punch biopsy. It just takes seconds and then is sent to a special lab where the number of nerve cells can be counted, My result was .09% which is considered severe. I also have the standard burning and pain as well as the other symptoms of tingle tangles. (that's what I call them).

The cause of my SFN is trauma to include quite a few falls, accidents, and surgeries. You will also hear from @johnbishop who has SFN but only numbness and tingling. Each of us has physical challenges in different ways.

And now for your other question......and that is about COVID. I have had all of the vaccines and boosters without any SFN reaction. However, right now I do have COVID....the newest variant. Why and how I got it I don't know. I do know that COVID on top of SFN is quite a tough challenge. Today is day 13 and I am beginning to feel a bit better and may be on the road to recovery.

Would you mind sharing what treatments and medications you are using or have tried. That would be helpful.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Hi Joy @joypalmer1, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @amandajro, @artscaping and others. I went for 20+ years before getting a diagnosis of idiopathic small fiber PN. Mine started in my feet with numbness and a little tingling but never any pain. I posted my neuropathy journey in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

I did have the nerve conduction test along with a few other tests and a physical exam by a Mayo neurologist when I was diagnosed but I didn't have a skin punch biopsy which is the gold standard for diagnosing neuropathy. I know you probably feel the same way I did when I decided to get a diagnosis. I was a little worried and uncertain how quickly it would progress. Unfortunately I don't believe there is an answer out there and the best thing we can do is learn everything we can about our condition and make good lifestyle choices along with treatments that we find helpful. Here are a couple of sites that I've used to learn more about neuropathy that you might find helpful:
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview

I'm 78yrs old now. I was finally diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy several yrs ago. It was puzzling why it presented that way. Awhile later, it occurred to me that I was a heavy alcohol drinker until about age 30yrs. I mentioned it to my doctor and was told it could cause it. The affected area is just on the facial side, down to behind the toes. I experience all the sensations such as tingling, burning, numbness. After trying a few medications, which none helped, I was started on Amitriptyline and it was substantial help immediately. That's what I take now. I discovered a balm called +Plus CBD, 100mg. When it bothers me more than usual, I apply the balm to the affected area and it gives substantial relief. It's something I live with anymore - don't know if this helps anyone but that's my experience.

I have been diagnosed with "poly neuropathy" No mention of small fiber. I am not in the U.S, so it may not exactly translate. My doctors are not from the U,S but are quite capable. All tests have been "normal" so the cause is just a guess. I have had the numbness in hands and (mostly) feet for more than 3 years. If I am wearing shoes, it feels like I have small marbles in them. It does not feel like that when barefoot. I also had Lhermitte's sign (an odd symptom), but it seems to have mostly dissipated with pharma. I have not experienced any severe pain, or burning thank goodness. Everything started pre COVID.