Skin Biopsy for Neuropathy Question

Posted by elena_l @elenal, Apr 25 1:19am

I was offered a skin biopsy procedure by a neuromuscular specialist to test for small fiber neuropathy. Was told that they can only test the skin from the top of my feet because that is what was tested in the control samples. However, my neuropathic pain (burning, scratching sensations) is in the soles of my feet. Has anyone had a skin biopsy done on the soles of their feet? Just trying to figure out if it's just my clinic that's not doing this or it's a standard everywhere. Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

4boyss | @4boyss | Apr 28 11:45am

In reply to @smueller19 "That is awesome! So glad you are feeling better. What city is your chiropractor? Which type..." + (show)

The chiropractor is in Edina MN. Peripheral neuropathy as far as I know. Certainly my general practice doctor did not figure out my problem, Maybe my symptoms were not obvious enough to him. I will push him to getting me a biopsy to have a more specific diagonisis beyond what I came up with on my own and the chiropractor agreed with. It is so sad that traditional medicine is narrow minded in their "use drugs" approach and belief anything else that works is nothing more than a placebo effect.

smueller19 | @smueller19 | Apr 28 12:50pm

In reply to @4boyss "The chiropractor is in Edina MN. Peripheral neuropathy as far as I know. Certainly my general..." + (show)

Until I received the biopsy results, I assume I had Peripheral neuropathy basically because I lacked knowledge about small and large fiber neuropathy. After the biopsies, my symptoms were typical for small fiber neuropathy.

Neurology is specialized so your general practice physician would not normally have the skill set to diagnose neuropathy. Maybe neuropathy associated with diabetes. Per my neurologist, large fiber neuropathy affects joint mobility and associated with rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Small fiber neuropathy affects smaller nerve branches affecting my feet and hands. Numbness, burning, tingling, thumb tack like stabbing pains, cramping, dry eyes and mouth, hypersensitivity to cold, constipation, excessive sweating, and problems walking, standing, gait, and/or falling. I am not trying to play doctor here, but if this information helps one person receive pain relief, or helps them identify the best course of action for themselves, it is worth time to sharing what I know. Being told by a neurologist that you have neuropathy, and that there is nothing they can do for you is a helpless, hopeless situation. Feeling helpless and hopeless can cause anger and resentment which may lead to depression.

There is hope and help, you just have to find right resources. Things that can done. Though there is no known cure for it, there ways to slow down its progression, and in some cases nerves can rebuild themselves.

In my case Flexeril, a muscle relaxer, calmed the nerves, and provided pain relief and the ability to resume my normal activities. Of course, every case is different.

I highly recommend the biopsies to obtain a clear diagnosis.

4boyss | @4boyss | Apr 28 5:25pm

In reply to @smueller19 "Until I received the biopsy results, I assume I had Peripheral neuropathy basically because I lacked..." + (show)

smueller: Thanks for taking the time to reply. I am learning from you. I
will reach out to you again soon if that is OK and ask a few more questions.

smueller19 | @smueller19 | Apr 28 6:21pm

I am happy to help. I am learning too. I just learned today that Small Fiber Neuropathy is a subset of Peripheral Neuropathy, I ask Google lots of questions. Also, I think Peripheral Neuropathy is used synonymously with Neuropathy. You can ask questions about the foods, vitamins, lifestyles that improve neuropathy, or goods bad for neuropathy. Have a great day!!!