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Small Fiber Neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: Oct 3, 2023 | Replies (213)

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@trudi22

I am waiting for treatment for SFN as well. Each year I have something new. Each year I am in more pain. First was numbness so bad it turned to pain. Then, among bodily pain I had a period of mouth sores. I had a low grade fever for approximately 18 months. (99 degrees to 101.6 degrees). My legs got "heavier" and weaker each day. I went to physical therapy for several months that helped a little. I am allowed to have steroid infusions, but they don't seem to be helping anymore as well. I am on pain medication, but breakthrough pain in abdomen and right flank are excruciating. As I type this now, I have had a migraine, and all it's symptoms or nine days. I also have rib cage pain that will not end. My doctor tried to get me into IVIG therapy, but insurance does not like
SFN diagnosis and will not cover. Weeks like these, I struggle to get out of bed and just have a life.

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Replies to "I am waiting for treatment for SFN as well. Each year I have something new. Each..."

Hi @trudi22, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear that your IVIG therapy was not allowed by your insurance for your diagnosis of SFN. It doesn't sound like IVIG infusions will help much with the pain for SFN according to this 2021 article -- Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Patients With Painful Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy: https://n.neurology.org/content/96/20/e2534

You might find reading through the following discussion helpful - Small Fiber Neuropathy: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-neuropathy/

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy also has some different treatments listed here including some over the counter items that may provide some relief - https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/.

Also, if your doctor thinks the IVIG will help here are some tips you might find helpful to get the treatment -- Tips for When Your Medical Insurance Company Will Not Pay: https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-insurance-company-wont-pay-3231743

Have you contacted your insurance company directly or did they just tell the doctor it's not covered?