What helps the symptoms of Small Fiber Neuropathy?

The only direct correlation I've experienced so far is sugar. Lowering my sugar intake definitely reduces the symptoms, or, conversely, I definitely feel an increase in symptoms after increased sugar intake. I haven't tried watching my salt, maybe I should!

Hi and thanks for reminding me to make my own crab cakes. I buy them when I am really hungry for them (often)... but I know there is too much salt in their recipe. I substitute lemon for salt on lots of veggies, all fish of course, and don't miss it now as much as I used to! Since my husband passed, it is hard to get inspired to cook for just me! As one of the "older seniors" in this group, it is now quite easy to put on weight. Please tell me why my wonderful relatives send me chocolate, nuts and cookies? Just kidding, I am very happy to be remembered in any way!! I love it all, but have to "Hold My Horses".
Oh, I did find a web site for comparing drugs, but the dose is also very important, also time of day to take your meds, with or without food, bla, bla, bla etc, etc. Every bit of information is very much appreciated! Happy & Healthy New Year to all!

The tingle was only in my feet, but it is now moving up my leg. Any suggestions are welcomed. My doctor just gave me pain Rx, but I never had any real pain. Are there any additional vitamins that might be helpful? I have noticed some swelling and tried compression socks, but not much has changed.

Good evening @dave42 and a big, warm, welcome to Connect. I think you might be talking about a form of neuropathy. It is quite known for what I call tingles, tangles, numbness, and various levels of pain. Have you been officially diagnosed with what is labeled as Peripheral Neuropathy? There are numerous variations. If you had a skin biopsy done then you may have been told you have SFN, small fiber neuropathy.

Very often, as in my case of SFN, it starts with a couple of toes. They tighten up or swell up and sometimes lie so very close to each other that you have to physically move them apart. Are you taking any prescribed medications, perhaps from a Neurologist?

I truly do not know about Vitamins. What vitamins are you taking now? You also mentioned that you received a prescription for pain.......would that be Gapapentin also known as Neurontin?

For you to receive the best connections to this neuropathy community I think it will be helpful to share responses to questions that include how long it took for the symptoms to move from your toes to your feet, then up the ankles and into your leg.

My story began about 10 years ago with increasing pain and discomfort in a number of locations in my body. I am now very attached to three forms of help for discomfort, numbness, and pain. 1. Exercises.....especially for balance and stability. 2. Yoga stretch poses to remain limber, 3. MFR (myofascial release therapy) sessions to remove restricted layers of fascia that do cause pain in all of the connective tissues around bones. Without the MFR sessions, I would no longer be able to drive. 4. Anti-anxiety medications to keep the worrying as reduced as possible.

I am wondering if you were told what is causing your symptoms. Are you diabetic? Were you undergoing chemotherapy? The cause of my SFN is trauma from accidents and surgeries.

There are two very good resources for neuropathy on line.
1. http://www.foundationforpn.org (The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
2. https://neuropathycommons.org (Neuropathy Commons)

While you take some time to read more about this condition, I am going to ask @johnbishop to stop by and say hello. He also has SFN without pain and is our much-respected researcher.

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

I also have tingling in my feet that has moved up to my legs. Mine is also in my hands. I don’t have any pain but this tingling and vibration sensation is so difficult to deal with on a daily basis. I don’t want to take any medication’s because I am not in pain and I think the side effects could be worse, I take vitamins but haven’t really found anything to help. I also tried acupuncture that didn’t help. I am now trying alpha lipoic acid that I have heard helps some people. I just started that. I too would love to know if anybody has found anything that helps with the tingling or prevents it from getting worse.

Hello Dave @dave42, I would like to add my welcome along with @artscaping and @joypalmer1. I only have the numbness and some tingling with no pain also. My biggest worry was would it progress until I could no longer drive. I shared my story in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy have a list of supplements known to help neuropathy symptoms here near the bottom of the list - https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf.

The best advice I can offer is to learn as much as you can about the condition and what treatments are available. I would also recommend discussing supplements with your doctor.

Hello @dave42 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see @artscaping and @johnbishop have joined you already to share with you!

You will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion that you can find here:
- What helps the symptoms of Small Fiber Neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tingling-from-small-fiber-neurapathy/

Are you taking a multi-vitamin each day?

Has anyone used CBD lotion/cream for pain?

Thanks.

Hi David @davidpn, You might find some help from what others have shared in the following discussion:

--- CBD oil for Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-for-neuropathy/

My neurologist said it's ok to use cream or another numbing agent. I have mostly numbness. I tried Aspercreme with 4% lidocaine but didn't notice a difference. More recently I've used Voltaren, a topical NSAID, for arthritis but not SFN. You may want to consider something like those.