What helps the symptoms of Small Fiber Neuropathy?

I am seventy years old and have had PN for at least seven years. It started with my second toe on each foot becoming numb, and then one morning I discovered that the numbness had spread to my other toes and then to the balls of my feet. Now my feet feel sore, the big toe on both feet curls up, and my ankles bother me at times; my calves are sore. For the last few weeks I get a temporary muscle spasm in my left calf in the morning while laying in bed, but it goes away fairly quickly. I found out a few days ago that I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, which I probably had for some time, but it was aggravated by playing too much pickleball, which doesn't help. Mostly the periphery of my calves and thighs remain achy. My feet feel like my tendons are being stretched. I've been to a few neurologists who can do nothing. There isn't a lot of pain so far, so I haven't taken gabapentin. Any suggestions as to what I should do next? Thanks.

I am seventy years old and have had PN for at least seven years. It started with my second toe on each foot becoming numb, and then one morning I discovered that the numbness had spread to my other toes and then to the balls of my feet. Now my feet feel sore, the big toe on both feet curls up, and my ankles bother me at times; my calves are sore. For the last few weeks I get a temporary muscle spasm in my left calf in the morning while laying in bed, but it goes away fairly quickly. I found out a few days ago that I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, which I probably had for some time, but it was aggravated by playing too much pickleball, which doesn't help. Mostly the periphery of my calves and thighs remain achy. My feet feel like my tendons are being stretched. I've been to a few neurologists who can do nothing. There isn't a lot of pain so far, so I haven't taken gabapentin. Any suggestions as to what I should do next? Thanks.

I am seventy years old and have had PN for at least seven years. It started with my second toe on each foot becoming numb, and then one morning I discovered that the numbness had spread to my other toes and then to the balls of my feet. Now my feet feel sore, the big toe on both feet curls up, and my ankles bother me at times; my calves are sore. For the last few weeks I get a temporary muscle spasm in my left calf in the morning while laying in bed, but it goes away fairly quickly. I found out a few days ago that I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, which I probably had for some time, but it was aggravated by playing too much pickleball, which doesn't help. Mostly the periphery of my calves and thighs remain achy. My feet feel like my tendons are being stretched. I've been to a few neurologists who can do nothing. There isn't a lot of pain so far, so I haven't taken gabapentin. Any suggestions as to what I should do next? Thanks.

I developed neuropathy in my feet a few months after successful radiation and chemo treatment for esophageal cancer tumor. I am signed up to see acupuncture MD next week but am not expecting quick fix. I did find this link to research on neuropathy helpful:
https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/
How many acupuncture treatments does it take to help?

I am seventy years old and have had PN for at least seven years. It started with my second toe on each foot becoming numb, and then one morning I discovered that the numbness had spread to my other toes and then to the balls of my feet. Now my feet feel sore, the big toe on both feet curls up, and my ankles bother me at times; my calves are sore. For the last few weeks I get a temporary muscle spasm in my left calf in the morning while laying in bed, but it goes away fairly quickly. I found out a few days ago that I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, which I probably had for some time, but it was aggravated by playing too much pickleball, which doesn't help. Mostly the periphery of my calves and thighs remain achy. My feet feel like my tendons are being stretched. I've been to a few neurologists who can do nothing. There isn't a lot of pain so far, so I haven't taken gabapentin. Any suggestions as to what I should do next? Thanks.

Hello @stevemoyt and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I found another discussion on this same topic so you will notice I have moved your post here:
- What helps the symptoms of Small Fiber Neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tingling-from-small-fiber-neurapathy/

Members @su8 @dsh33782 and @kenab have joined you to share with you already.

Have you talked to your neurologist about physical therapy as a potential recommendation?

Try Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) It really works.
I’ve had SFN in my feet for 14 years and after trying everything imaginable I participated in the webinar with Dr. Kapural, who is the founder of the Chronic Pain Research Institute at Wake Forest University, School of Medicine.
I was very impressed & hopeful that LDN was the answer for the pain in my feet & lower back.
LDN is working after only 3 months and has changed my life in many ways. The pain in my feet is practically gone, as well as the pain in my back and I’m walking longer distances than I have in years.
I am starting to titrate off Lyrica, which I have been on since the beginning of my diagnosis and I look forward to further improvement as the days go on.
It may take up to 8 to 10 weeks for low dose naltrexone to work. It is important to keep taking it until at least then to know if it works for you.
A doctor can prescribe it and it must be compounded by a pharmacist from 50mg’s down to 4.5 milligrams.
It’s worth the effort, for sure!
Learn more here:
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn-3570335/

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through, I do know and understand your pain. My only suggestion is to see a Muscular skeletal Neurologist and have a skin biopsy done to know for sure if you have small fiber neuropathy.