[Nebulous]

I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who can shed some light on this topic or in having a relevant discussion.

Here are some details particular to my situation as well as some things that I have found in my investigations:

When I am flared up I experience burning sensations symmetrically distributed through my arms, legs and face as well other nerve related symptoms such as fasciculations. I've come to the conclusion that some underlying phenomenon (possibly auto-immune) is causing my nerves to become temporarily inflamed. However, there is very little information on neuroinflamation available on the net. It seems to be somewhat uncharted territory. I know that there aren't really tests for it outside of a research setting. A recent study on CFS patients found a link between CFS and neuroinflamation which was measured by looking at astrocyte activity in the brain.

Can a malfunctioning immune system trigger the production of certain substances that can irritate the nerves? What would these substances be?

As for the burning sensations I know that inflammation can cause cells to spill their negatively charged contents which have an acidic effect on the surrounding tissues which can in turn set off the acid sensing ion channels (ASICS) and thus produce the burning feeling. However, this doesn't fully explain the process of neuroinflamation.

[MAT52]

Hi - I'm new here and still navigating the site so not that knowledgeable yet. But I have confirmed autoimmunity evidenced by my symptoms and systemic inflammation. My sed rate/ ESR is always somewhere between raised and high as are other inflammatory markers and I have a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypothyroidism - the autoimmune version.

I know do there are many immune-mediated inflammatory neuropathies which can cause burning sensations because I've recently had a lumbar puncture and MRIs plus blood tests and nerve conduction tests EMG for severe burning/ freezing with constant pins and needles in peripheries and cold wet sensation in my legs - heat surges in my arms and lightening bolt pains everywhere intermittently.

I have been told that the only thing that has shown up so far is that my CFS has high immunoglobulin levels. My GP says this shows that my symptoms, which have been causing me great pain for about 20 months now, are immune mediated small fiber neuropathy.

I don't know if this helps but you could try looking up Guillain Barre and CIDP and MMN. And also there is a good article I found today - Google; Diagnosis of Immune Mediated Neuropathies - from the medical centre at Cornell University.

Originally Posted by Nebulous

I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who can shed some light on this topic or in having a relevant discussion.

Here are some details particular to my situation as well as some things that I have found in my investigations:

When I am flared up I experience burning sensations symmetrically distributed through my arms, legs and face as well other nerve related symptoms such as fasciculations. I've come to the conclusion that some underlying phenomenon (possibly auto-immune) is causing my nerves to become temporarily inflamed. However, there is very little information on neuroinflamation available on the net. It seems to be somewhat uncharted territory. I know that there aren't really tests for it outside of a research setting. A recent study on CFS patients found a link between CFS and neuroinflamation which was measured by looking at astrocyte activity in the brain.

Can a malfunctioning immune system trigger the production of certain substances that can irritate the nerves? What would these substances be?

As for the burning sensations I know that inflammation can cause cells to spill their negatively charged contents which have an acidic effect on the surrounding tissues which can in turn set off the acid sensing ion channels (ASICS) and thus produce the burning feeling. However, this doesn't fully explain the process of neuroinflamation.

[glenntaj]

--take a look at this site:


http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nother/autoantibody.html

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antibody/mprotein.htm

I would get tested for the monoclonal antibodies/m-proteins in particular; that is done by immunofixation electrophoresis and should be readily available at most labs. The tests for antibodies to specific elements of peripheral nerve are more specialized and may have to be done at a more specialized facility.

[Nebulous]

Originally Posted by MAT52

Hi - I'm new here and still navigating the site so not that knowledgeable yet. But I have confirmed autoimmunity evidenced by my symptoms and systemic inflammation. My sed rate/ ESR is always somewhere between raised and high as are other inflammatory markers and I have a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypothyroidism - the autoimmune version.

I know do there are many immune-mediated inflammatory neuropathies which can cause burning sensations because I've recently had a lumbar puncture and MRIs plus blood tests and nerve conduction tests EMG for severe burning/ freezing with constant pins and needles in peripheries and cold wet sensation in my legs - heat surges in my arms and lightening bolt pains everywhere intermittently.

I have been told that the only thing that has shown up so far is that my CFS has high immunoglobulin levels. My GP says this shows that my symptoms, which have been causing me great pain for about 20 months now, are immune mediated small fiber neuropathy.

I don't know if this helps but you could try looking up Guillain Barre and CIDP and MMN. And also there is a good article I found today - Google; Diagnosis of Immune Mediated Neuropathies - from the medical centre at Cornell University.

Yeah I'm glad you posted as immune mediated small fiber neuropathy is pretty much what I suspect that I have, although my blood tests have not pointed in that direction as of yet. I'm planning on getting a skin biopsy to look at my small nerve fibers and take it from there.

I'll search for the words you posted thx.

Originally Posted by glenntaj

--take a look at this site:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nother/autoantibody.html

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antibody/mprotein.htm

I would, in particular, get tested for the monoclonal antibodies/m-proteins in particular; that is done by immunofixation electrophoresis and should be readily available at most labs. The tests for antibodies to specific elements of peripheral nerve are more specialized and may have to be done at a more specialized facility.

Thx for the links Glenn. I'll look into those antibodies.

Do you think that anti-ganglioside is a good test as well?