Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

Hi @lakelifelady, Mayo Clinic has a symptom checker that may help you figure out what might be causing the problem.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/select-symptom/itt-20009075
Have you discussed the symptoms with your doctor?

John

Hello everyone. I am new here. I have just been officially diagnosed with severe idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I had the biopsy done as well and multiple of test including blood and urine test to try and find a cause. They were not able to find a cause. I have it in my feet, legs, midsection including most of the groin, hands, arms, and face. Always have tingling in those regions except my upper legs and groin I am numb. Hand and feet are the worst when it flares up. It's like I am repeatedly being stabbed with knives nonstop for the length of the flare up. The flare ups last anywhere between 10 minutes to many hours.

I have been having that feeling for years but I have also has cervical and lumbar issues which both required surgery. Had fusion of the c5-c7 and anterior/posterior fusion of the L3-S1. These did not cause the small fiber according to the doctors. I have to go for my sixth surgery in 6 years in a week and a half to get a spinal cord stimulator for the lumbar region, it does provide some help with the pain in my feet. My bladder is shot and had a cystoscopy and video urodynamic study and my bladder muscles barely function. I have to go for the trial of interstim stimulator to see if it helps. I also have to meet with the pain specialist to discuss long term for dealing with the pain. Gabapentin does not work and I get bad side effects.

Sorry for going on and on.
Thank you for listening (reading).
Dustin

I was diagnosed three years ago with it. I'm finding that I'm have the little shocks all over my body. Tried to set up an appointment with the Arizona Mayo Clinic, as I read they have great neurologists there. However, I found out they will NOT take my Medicare Advantage plan. I was told I'd have to pay up front to see a doctor. Am I the only one that thinks this is total BS? Minnesota and Florida clinics will take it but not Arizona. My guess is it's close to California and they might think people with lots of money will come and pay it. I for one, do not have that. I live in the Midwest and will spend the month of Feb visiting my sister by Scottsdale. I'm so upset.

@wendyl- I went to the Scottsdale Az. Mayo last April and have Medicare AARP Advantage plan F through United Health and had 2 days worth of tests done with absolutely no cost to me! I would definitely make some calls to your Advantage Plan to find out why this is happening? Good luck to you! Jim @thankful

@wendyl- I went to the Scottsdale Az. Mayo last April and have Medicare AARP Advantage plan F through United Health and had 2 days worth of tests done with absolutely no cost to me! I would definitely make some calls to your Advantage Plan to find out why this is happening? Good luck to you! Jim @thankful

I've had IVIG treatments for over 2 years for CIDP and small fiber neuropathy. A neurologist has to recommend IVIG for your condition. Insurances are not always receptive because it is an expensive treatment. Most doctors won't push for this treatment for small fiber neuropathy unless all other drug options have been exhausted.

The Cleveland Clinic doctor said that he didn't think IVIG treatments were very effective. Have they been effective for you? My sister's niece had Lyme disease with neuropathy symptoms and she had IVIG treatments helped her. When you have small fiber neuropathy you'll try anything.

@dustins76 Wow, your neuropathy symptoms sound so familiar. When I talk about the symptoms in the legs and groin, the doctors just look at me funny. Do you see neurologists at Mayo? Were your surgeries done there? If not, where?