1. < Neuropathy

Idiopathic small fiber neuropathy

Posted by mikead63 @mikead63, Mar 19 4:45pm

When I was diagnosed with Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy a few months ago the neurologist never mentioned anything about "small fiber". As I have been searching through and reading so much on the various neuropathy support groups I see a lot about having a "skin punch biopsy" to determine if I have idiopathic "small fiber" neuropathy.
1. Is it important for me to determine if my neuropathy is "small fiber"?
2. Why?
Thank you!!!
Mike

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 19 5:39pm

I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy and was diagnosed at Rochester Mayo Clinic. I did not have a skin punch biopsy but did have the nerve conduction tests and an EMG along with the neurological examination tests. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has an easy to understand list of the different tests - https://www.foundationforpn.org/tests/.

Bottom line for me is the skin punch biopsy would just be another test to confirm what I already know ( I have neuropathy) and would not change the treatments. Since I only have numbness and some tingling, there aren't any medications that help with the symptoms. Also, even though the biopsy is small, it's removing a tiny section of flesh along with the nerves (ones that are working and ones that are damaged/dead) that you will never get back - https://www.foundationforpn.org/tests/nerve-skin-muscle-tissue-biopsy/. I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion along with other members here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.

I think it's great that you are learning more about your condition. That is what brought me to Connect back in 2016 and helped me learn from other members different ways to help myself.

REPLY
1 reply
mikead63 | @mikead63 | Mar 19 9:55pm
In reply to @johnbishop "I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy and was diagnosed at Rochester Mayo Clinic. I did..." + (show)
@johnbishop

I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy and was diagnosed at Rochester Mayo Clinic. I did not have a skin punch biopsy but did have the nerve conduction tests and an EMG along with the neurological examination tests. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has an easy to understand list of the different tests - https://www.foundationforpn.org/tests/.

Bottom line for me is the skin punch biopsy would just be another test to confirm what I already know ( I have neuropathy) and would not change the treatments. Since I only have numbness and some tingling, there aren't any medications that help with the symptoms. Also, even though the biopsy is small, it's removing a tiny section of flesh along with the nerves (ones that are working and ones that are damaged/dead) that you will never get back - https://www.foundationforpn.org/tests/nerve-skin-muscle-tissue-biopsy/. I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion along with other members here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.

I think it's great that you are learning more about your condition. That is what brought me to Connect back in 2016 and helped me learn from other members different ways to help myself.

Jump to this post

Once again John, you continue to educate me which is important to me and so many others that are going through this condition! Thank you.

REPLY
mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Mar 20 2:07pm

My last neurologist did a skin punch biopsy on both of my lower legs about 3 years ago, which turned into my wife having to rush home early from work, and the paramedics having to be called because they botched the test. It's something I'll never forget.
The test results were normal, I don't have small fiber neuropathy, I was diagnosed with idiopathic poly neuropathy a few weeks later.
Is small fiber different, is it treatable? I don't know because I don't suffer from it.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 20 6:50pm
In reply to @mrmacabre "My last neurologist did a skin punch biopsy on both of my lower legs about 3..." + (show)
@mrmacabre

My last neurologist did a skin punch biopsy on both of my lower legs about 3 years ago, which turned into my wife having to rush home early from work, and the paramedics having to be called because they botched the test. It's something I'll never forget.
The test results were normal, I don't have small fiber neuropathy, I was diagnosed with idiopathic poly neuropathy a few weeks later.
Is small fiber different, is it treatable? I don't know because I don't suffer from it.

Jump to this post

The symptoms may be treatable but there is no cure.

REPLY
msrobo | @msrobo | 1 day ago

Mike peripheral neuropathy is usual hand and hand with diabetes. I have idiopathic sfn wich means no underling cause wich is kinda worse. Sfn usually has an underling cause that can be treated were ISFN has no treatment huuu lucky me. Did you have diabetes? Did you have all the Nero test including punch biopsy?

REPLY
1 reply
mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | 1 day ago
In reply to @msrobo "Mike peripheral neuropathy is usual hand and hand with diabetes. I have idiopathic sfn wich means..." + (show)
@msrobo

Mike peripheral neuropathy is usual hand and hand with diabetes. I have idiopathic sfn wich means no underling cause wich is kinda worse. Sfn usually has an underling cause that can be treated were ISFN has no treatment huuu lucky me. Did you have diabetes? Did you have all the Nero test including punch biopsy?

Jump to this post

Nope, no diabetes.

REPLY
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