Small fiber neuropathy- unilateral facial paresthesia, carpal tunnel

Posted by holmes4408 @holmes4408, 5 hours ago

Does anyone have small fiber neuropathy along with unilateral facial paresthesia, bilateral carpal tunnel, tinnitus?
I have non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy from a skin punch biopsy, as well as also severe bilateral carpal tunnel (not painful either) diagnosed from an emg. The right side of my face is an odd feeling, not completely numb but can be tingly and 'tight' feeling, especially around my right eye. My neuro told me it's anxiety and I never went back. It's been 3 years and I really can't take it anymore and I am going back to a new neurologist. All of this happened suddenly, like a split second. I was sitting on the couch and all of a sudden I lost hearing in my right ear and extreme vertigo. My right side of face became numb. Went to er to rule out stroke, it was not a stroke. ENT ruled out Meniere's and no acoustic neuroma (neg MRI). My neuro doesn't think my symptoms are connected and it's related to my anxiety, but I know my body and I know they are. My right side of face has been numb for 3 years, and my arms are getting weaker (probably carpal tunnel). I have eye floaters now (could be totally normal, got my eyes checked and they are healthy). I spoke with a very well known small fiber neuropathy neurologist and he mentioned it's likely immune related. My neuropathy isn't really painful, just annoying as my feet and hands constantly go to sleep/completely numb. Sometimes at night, both my arms get really numb and that's the only time it's really painful. I got a referral for rheumatology, I go next month. I have no trauma to my wrists/arms and no over-use to explain the severe bilateral carpal tunnel. Anyone have similar symptoms? If so, do you mind sharing what they are and if you have any diagnoses?
My WBC have been trending down the past few years, currently 3.1 and my LDL is 271, cholesterol is 352, I have normal triglycerides and normal HDL. My neutrophils are borderline low 1.5. Those are my only abnormal labs, everything else is normal. RH factor < 10, ANA neg.
Thank you!
Savannah

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Hello @holmes4408, I can't imaging how difficult it must be to have the right side facial numbness for over 3 years without knowing what is causing it. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel but don't have the facial paresthesia. It's good that you don't have the awful pain that can go with the paresthesia but the numbness has challenges of it's own which is what I have with my legs and feet. I did a search of Connect and there are a few members who have mentioned facial paresthesia if you would like to scan through their comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=facial%20paresthesia.

You mentioned all of this happened all of a sudden along with hearing loss in your right ear. I'm guessing you many have already seen this article but it does mention why the doctors thought you may have had a stroke when you went to the ER and they ruled out stroke as cause.
-- What causes numbness on the right side of the face?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326129
You mentioned having a referral to a rheumatologist. Hoping you get some answers at the appointment. Do you know when your appointment is yet?

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