--just because one's intraepidermal nerve fiber density falls between the 5th and 95th percentile, and is therefore read acccording to the protocols as "normal", doesn't mean one doesn't have a neuropathic process going on, It depends on when the skin biopsy is done--at what stage the process may have been "caught"--and, of course, at what level of density one started (though this is hard to know, since there's no reason to do this kind of biopsy to enumerate nerve density and examine condition if one is asymptomatic, unless, like McArthur's original subjects, there's an attempt to establish a control group).

Pain levels do not correlate well at all to density levels; there may be a bit more correlation to observed condition of the fibers, especially if swelling an excessive branching of individual fibers is observed (and yes, the latter is an attempt to re-establish function in areas in which nerves are under attack, so it can be a hint there is an attack ongoing when found). Remember, regrowing nerves can be as painful as dying ones, at least for a while, until the brain learns how to interpret these new signals.

My sense has been that often pain is actually worse during an ongoing process; if one's nerves are completely killed off, one tends to get more numbness than pain, as there's less there to record sensations anymore. Of course, many have reported both in an area simultaneously--certain patches have died, certain patches are dying, certain others may be frantically trying to re-grow. In fact, many neuros take the sharp, burning pain as a sign of damaged nerves, not (yet) dead ones, and actually look upon this with a more favorable prognosis than they do numbness, though I doubt the patients find this "better".

Tell me Glenntage, how long do Small Nerve fibers take to regenerate? Can you tell me if after its regeneration has finished the pain stops? This is my most important question so far in this forum. I don't mind waiting, 1, 2 or 10 years. I just want to be sure there is a valid reason for my pain and that the pain stops when my nerves heal and regenerate. And they do regenerate, right?

There was a Dr that told me that NP is chronic in some cases because nerves are destroyd faster than they regenerate. Is this true?

Thank you very much,

Filipe

Filipe I don't think you have had the proper diagnosis.

I don't think that any one here can help you beyond what we have done.

Why don't you re-read this thread.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread43699.html you've posted there, i'm sure you've read enough to know that they do heal themselves over time.

Hi Filipe, this is in response to your PM to me, I thought I would post it here also.

I understand how scared you are as I am going through the same feelings. I think it sounds more likely that you are feeling the burning from withdrawing from benzodiazepines (that been suggested to you several times) This should be the good news you are looking for. I do not know nearly as much as the other people on this forum so I am probably the wrong person to answer your questions, but I truly understand how you are feeling. It is very scary and you just want someone to tell you that it is going to get better. The truth is, nobody on this forum is going to make you that promise because they don't truly know what is happening to you, at least without more of a diagnosis from doctors/neurologists testing. I think it is clear people are getting frustrated with so many questions they have answered but then you ask it again in a different way looking for hope. I understand that you only want (positive) answers, but with this complex and variable problem it seems nothing is certain, and time is the only thing that can give you that answer. You said your pain is decreasing, this is a good sign, (I wish mine was) but in my humble opinion I think you need to make a decision to slowly withdraw/taper off 'all' medication under doctor supervision and I think you may be surprised at how your body feels as it detoxifies. As has been said before, you have many answers to digest. Only you can decide which path to potential recovery you are going to take. I wish you the best

boa sorte meu amigo