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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Neuropathy | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (6021)
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@mamabear143

Thank you 🙏 my dr referred me to get a punch biopsy , hopefully soon because it’s progressively so fast.. do most sfn biopsies include 3 areas for testing..?

Unfortunately my dr is hesitant about medication but my pain has been pretty debilitating, especially with the summer heat now ..

I’d like to know what’s been the best medication for easing the burning pain for most without really and side effects.. I also have alot of symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, not sure if that’s ok for this group also..

Thanks again

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Replies to "Thank you 🙏 my dr referred me to get a punch biopsy , hopefully soon because..."
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jun 18, 2022

Hi there @mamabear143,

Thanks for getting back to me. I am glad you are getting the punch biopsy. And yes, there can be three areas for testing. It may not be discovered in all three areas which is then worth discussing with your clinician. And I certainly understand how debilitating SFN pain can be. I have been vacationing at a lake with the family and it has been sticky hot some days.. I had to miss both my MFR sessions this week and the pain was quite unnerving.

So I resorted to my best pain medication, sleep medication, and the only one that can knock that tingle, tangle stuff for a loop and that is medical cannabis. I have controlled the SFN pain and other SFN symptoms completely with a 1:1 CBD/THC tincture for about five years now. I can adjust the dosage to whatever the situation demands. What a relief.

The only Rx I use is Duloxetine (Cymbalta) in the morning. That keeps my anxiety under control which is important because anxiety begets pain which begets more anxiety and on and on.

Would you consider or have you tried medical cannabis?
May you be safe, free, and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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julbpat | @julbpat | Jun 19, 2022

The three punch biopsy sites on each leg help determine if your SFN is length-dependent or not. I wouldn’t spend a lot of time studying about those differences until you get the results. Then you can zero in on the type you most likely have, and learn more about the treatment that works for it.

As far as meds go, I have concluded, after years of trial and error, that medications are probably necessary. You may end up trying lots of different meds for this nerve pain. And what works for you will probably change over time. I suggest that you pay close attention to your body and any reactions, both good and bad. Make some notes, or even charts, if that works for you. Prepare to spend some time (and money) on physical therapy, massage, acupuncture - whatever works for you.

If someone tries to tell you that something you did - (like your diet, or excess weight, or lack of exercise, etc) caused this, just politely shut them down. You didn’t cause this, and a well-meaning friend or family members with some articles cannot cure you. If that were the case, no one would need to be on this forum!

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