Question 1

Is pain common with small fiber neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Small fiber neuropathy can cause pain which is often described as a burning or prickly sensation.

Question 2

What are the causes of small fiber neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

if you can think of it, its probably a cause of SFPN. Some high on the list are: Alcohol use, medications, diabetes and insulin resistance, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disease... although there are multitude of others!

Question 3

What are the common small fiber neuropathy symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Numbness, paresthesias (pins and needles) and/or weakness.

Question 4

Why does exercise make small fiber neuropathy pain worse?

Accepted Answer

That. In some cases it makes it better. Perhaps there is something else wrong.

Question 5

How should i alleviate idiopathic small fiber neuropathy pain?

Accepted Answer

Some simple options would include wearing thicker synthetic material socks and well padded shoes. Avoid narcotics ; they will not work long-term and just will create problems. You may find some relief with medications such as Neurontin or Lyrica (pregabalin) or Cymbalta or Tegretol but these have to be supervised by a physician. Engage in balance activities like tai chi and yoga.

Question 6

What test can diagnose the source of my small fiber neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

If you have had a nerve conduction study and confirmed this diagnosis through this test then there multiple labs that can be ordered in order to find out the source: electrolytes, blood sugar, vitamin b 12, hepatitis, syphilis, HIV, inflammatory tests( sed rate for example), Lyme disease, among others that are a lot less common. Follow up with your doctor on this.

Question 7

Does small fiber neuropathy heal if it is caused by medication ?

Accepted Answer

If this is the correct diagnosis is possible, but it may be a neuropathy caused by other issues and you need to have this clarified. If a medication reaction causes a problem after the medication is withdrawn often the problem will go away, but sometimes there are situations when it will persist. This is something you can ask your physician.

Question 8

Can idiopathic small fiber neuropathy go away if no cause is determined?

Accepted Answer

Small fibers are poorly myelinated so small-fiber neuropathies are axonal. When there is enough axonal dropout, the damage is almost always permanent. When symptoms improve, it's usually because the neuropathy is so advanced it's "burned out." In fact, spontaneous remission of axonal neuropathy is so atypical that if it happens you have to reconsider the diagnosis.

Question 9

How common is small fiber neuropathy for someone who is 31 and no known risk factors?

Accepted Answer

Since there are multiple causes, this is not that unusual.  The most common is diabetes and pre-diabetes, but can be seen with hereditary disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos; also lupus, gluten intolerance, Sjogren's, sarcoidosis, and variety of rarer problems.
Often diagnosis is overlooked or minimized due to presentation of pure sensory involvement causing decreased sensation to pin and temperature.

Question 10

Is idiopathic small fiber neuropathy progressive? it seems like its getting worse fast.

Accepted Answer

Is your diagnosis proven based on skin punch biopsy data?  And what is the cause, as idiopathic means lack of etiology?  Cannot predict outcome without additional information, but clearly, many of these problems are uncovered by series of blood and urine studies, and some of the small fibre issues are associated with diabetes, fibromyalgia, and some immune diseases.

Small fiber neuropathy disability

Is pain common with small fiber neuropathy?

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What are the causes of small fiber neuropathy?

What are the common small fiber neuropathy symptoms?

Why does exercise make small fiber neuropathy pain worse?

How should i alleviate idiopathic small fiber neuropathy pain?

What test can diagnose the source of my small fiber neuropathy?

Does small fiber neuropathy heal if it is caused by medication ?

Can idiopathic small fiber neuropathy go away if no cause is determined?

How common is small fiber neuropathy for someone who is 31 and no known risk factors?

Is idiopathic small fiber neuropathy progressive? it seems like its getting worse fast.

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