Just like many here, I also suffer from SFN (diagnosed 7/2010 @ Cleveland Clinic). My SFN is idiopathic, non length dependent and seems to exhibit many of the same symptoms (pain/numbness) I have read about here.

Occasionally, I also have problems with hearing and vision sensitivity. During these times, a sudden, unexpected loud noise is very disturbing and focusing on moving objects is difficult.

Neurontin (currently @1200 mg) has helped diminish my symptoms but I still seem to get flares from time to time where this hearing and vision sensitivity re-appears. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this or if there would be a logical explanation to why my SFN manifests these symptoms.

Thank you!

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Some sound sensitivity may be connected to B6 deficiency.
Low B6 in the brain causes hyperacusis.

This site also mentions some other things:
http://www.tinnitusreview.com/category/hyperacusis/

If you want to try a good B6--- get the activated form, called P5P.
Some people cannot activate the form of pyridoxine that is in
most common vitamins today.

NOW company makes a good one. It is best enteric coated, and NOW's is that way.

Please read the full prescribing information below?:
http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_neurontin.pdf
Especially pgs 18-amlyopia, & pg 24 'Special Senses'.
I've experienced also a hyper-startle effect, but I'm not sure if it was due to the PN condition or the meds I was on at the time. I've been off most PN meds for at least 3 years now, but I STILL experience they 'startle' thing about 1-2 times a week.
I'd started having vision issues after I'd been diagnosed...I'd had some tinnitus prior to that, but now it is truly noticable. The vision problems have lessened greatly. [After 8 years]
So? State? You aren't crazy! Not, not! NOT! So many of us with neuropathy problems have these to different degrees, some negligible, others to a noticable degree. Truly it's part and parcel of what makes us ALL so hard to truly get a diagnosis! Hang in there and should you have problems? LEARN how to articulate them in sort of 'doc speak' to hit home your concerns. You will learn lots about that here! Keep faith in yourself, and in the prospect of getting better! !!'s - j

I guess I haven't thought about my tinnitus being neuropathy related.What was I thinking???? Duh! I'm sure it is. When my neuropathy symptoms worsened, so did the tinnitus, and it has never gone away. It's always buzzing in my head, sometimes I can ignore it, other times like now, it's very loud. Funny thing is, even when it is at it's loudest, I can still hear different pitches of sound, like noises my bluetooth makes when in use. The sounds are like those you hear during hearing tests.

It makes sense it's all connected!

Hi,

You don't specifically say what kind of vision sensitivity you experience, but write you're on 1200 mg neurontin qd.

Was on it twice (in 2003 for post-shingles neuropathy) and again in early 2010 when the small fiber neuropathy began. In 2003, suddenly couldn't focus my eyes normally, was dizzy and told to stop. Was fine again in no time, and it turned out the neuropathy was gone.

Tried neurontin again last year for the SFN and didn't last more than a couple of days - same problem - and on a much lower dose than you're taking.

You might want to do a web search about the side effects of neurontin.

Sheltiemom

Many weird sensations can be attributed to PN,
but in most cases it usually is the meds.

I was diagnosed with moderate to sever idiopathic small fiber neuropathy at the Cleveland Clinic in November of 2010. After 2 years of going to many doctors for my symptoms; One doctor said a pinched nerve, one doctor said carpel tunnel and sent me to a specialist at the clevland clinic and that doctor from the said diabetes, yet another doctor from the cleveland clinic said maybe lupusor fibromyalgia and sent me to a dermatologist then they checked for arthritis. Every test they did to see if any of the above named disorders was the culprit of my symptoms, and they were all ruled out after countless amounts of blood work and urinalasis came back normal. Since April of 2010 I have had a full body MRI, a Qsart test, 2 EMG's. It took a skin biopsy to figure it out. I am on 3600 mg of Gabapentin (generic for neurotin which is the maximum dose). 100 mg of amitrptyline, 60 mg of cymbalta and 1000mg of vicodin 2 or 3 times a day for the pain. It is not really helping. I have good days and bad days. And I have lost my job do to my symptoms one week before Christmas. My right hand, right shoulder, right elbow and my left foot are affected. The burning sensation is unbearable. And yes, I do have trouble with vision being blurry and trouble hearing. I also have hair loss, excessive sweating, short term memory loss and trouble leaking urine. One minuet I am cold then the next I am hot. And I am tired all the time. I drop things a lot because I cannot feel my hand. This has been an awful flare up. Even my clothes drive my skin crazy, i rarely wear my jewelry because it also drives me crazy.

Other possibles??
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome {TOS} and/or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy {RSD}
and sometimes they both happen together.

We have forums for both here- check the sticky threads of each for links w/ signs & symptoms
TOS - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html
RSD - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

Both the hearing and vision sensitivity occurred prior to being prescribed Neurontin. It seems to occur less frequently since I started on it.

I’ve never considered it to be tinnitus as it is not a consistent ringing or buzzing (dahlek captured it perfectly as a “hyper-startle” effect). I can listen to loud music without a problem but if I am in a quiet room and the dog suddenly barks, yikes!

The vision issue is harder to describe. Movement such as watching a ball being thrown or words scrolling across the TV are hard to focus on. It’s like my eyes can’t keep up and I need to look away.

There are times you feel as if you are hanging on by your fingers and toes [which you can't feel anyhow?] from the ceiling. I've not tried ear plugs tho, maybe they mite help? I've been afraid to consider them tho, as it diminishes one's self-defense alert systems. Danged if you do? Danged if you don't!
Hoping you get a good nite's sleep soon. - j

PS I know there IS a medical term for that 'startle' effect? But, hasn't come to me yet! It will come to me or others I'm sure.

Sure does get the blood pumping tho, doesn't it ?

Good patience and luck! - j