I read a study on what happens to people with idiopathic pn over time, and whether a cause is usually found. I can't find the article now, but the conclusion was that in this group there was no need to repeat investigations over time, even, say, every 5 years. That if no cause was found initially, no cause will ever be found.

On the other hand, the course of these neuropathies is pretty "benign". They are almost all axonal, length-related, and not small-fiber. They produce pretty exclusively sensory problems, and no motor problems. Over the years, no one dies from it, though, if they become inactive, they get complications from inactivity.

I, for one, would be interested in seeing something which clearly explains to me the difference between length-dependent axonal neuropathies and small-fiber. Lots of people on the board talk about having small fiber neuruopathy, and I'm not sure what causes that, as opposed to what I have, the axonal type. I do know that axonal neuropathies are usually what you get when nerves are "poisoned", as it takes a lot of energy to bring nutrients all the way down the long axons to the tips. But small fiber--I don't get at all.

Glenn????? I know you must be listening!