Im curious, in what way does a low carb diet help? My symptoms are pretty much the same as yours

I think it goes back to controlling diabetes. Since diabetes is the number one cause of neuropathy, and keeping it under control also keeps neuropathy under control. My brother-in-law is diabetic. For 30+ years he followed the diabetes meal plan, that was a well-balanced diet. But even following it strictly, he couldn't keep his glucose levels under control. A couple of years ago his doctor suggested he switch to a low-carb diet, and he swears it has made a big difference with both his glucose control and his neuropathy.

This does a good job of explaning the low-carb diet for diabetes:

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/pre...teslowcarb.htm

--both the Atkins and Zone dietary approaches are about trying to keep blood sugar levels on more of an even keel, as wide swings in blood sugar can be just as damaging as steady high levels.

It also sounds like you have (at least right now) a predominantly small-fiber neuropathy, which would not be diagnosable with standard nerve conduction studies, as the small, unmyilenated fibers that control pain and temperature sensation (very often the first to be damaged in glucose dysregulation situations) cannot be measured that way--it often takes quantitative sensory testing, or even skin biopsy, to find damage to those types of nerves.

Yes, a skin-punch biopsy would definitely see
if small fiber neuropathy were present.

Hi could you talk to your doctor about seeing a nutritionist who deals with diabetes to help you create a meal plan for your condition and to help your overall health? I think sometimes if your doc rights an rx your insurance may cover. I have seen nutritionist in the past and had to pay but even if you go for a few sessions to develop a plan. Have you had other blood work to rule out other problems like some on here have low b12 or auto immune?

When you eat alot of carbs, your insulin goes up! Insulin then interferes with fatty acid metabolism and tends to push products into the inflammatory side of things. (these cytokines are called PGE2's ).

Staying on the PGE1 side of things quells inflammation.

The Zone diet, and the books about them explain how this works.
So even if you are not showing diabetes in glucose tests, you might be having high insulin events, and thus be in the inflammatory condition.

By balancing carbs with protein you control insulin levels, and also stimulate glucagon its opposite partner, to move glucose around in a more stable way for you.

Eating more Omega-3 fats, like Flax oil, and fish oil, moderate and dampen the inflammatory side of our fatty acid chemistries.

Don't forget, inside all of us is a biochemical factory of huge complexity, and food, can alter the balance of this and create many problems. I think the Zone diet is quite diabetes friendly. There have been studies showing good results with type II diabetics. It is possible to do Atkins without animal flesh, but not wholly vegan...because there are alot of carbs in most vegetables. Atkins is a high fat, high protein diet. Tomatoes are not typically allowed, at least in the beginning. One could do the Zone including dairy/eggs, and soy. But some people cannot tolerate high soy either. But I think the Zone is possible for some vegetarians.

I have an appointment with the neuro this week and will ask him about the small fiber neuropathy. Maybe he will do the test for it.

With all medical science has learned, it seems there is still a whole lot more to go! Oh well, you know what they say- The good thing about growing old is that you only have to do it once!

Thanks for your input.

Elizabeth