I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I have gone from a full work schedule with daily exercise routines and tai chi daily to being afraid that I won't be able to take care of my family. They all depend on me for financial help. I am scared and frustrated. I am all they have.

I started out on lyrica and within 6 months my hair was falling out in handfuls and my boss was frustrated because I can no longer perform my job the way I have for 15 years. Smart to stupid in a very short time. But it did help some. Neurologist wanted me to change to CYmbalta. Within 2 days I was sick weak and unable to function. Have also spent the last 5 days in lyrica withdrawal. Not fun.

I was fine one day and it's been a downward spiral for the past year. Are there any alternatives to the meds or is this just the way life is going to be? Thank you for reading.

There are many alternative treatments, but unfortunately they are either experimental or poorly ineffectual in most and only help a minority of PN sufferers.
The majority keep searching for the best mix of meds of the 75 or so that are used to treat PN. Once a balance is achieved, life goes on.......with compromises.
Its a chronic ailment and must be addressed positively to live as normal a life as we can, but life style changes and, PN pain management issues.... have to be addressed.

Welcome to NeuroTalk...

Sudden onset? That implies an autoimmune attack, food poisoning (Campylobacter or fish contamination), use of a drug that suddenly poisoned you-- Cipro, Flagyl, statins, etc., or some toxin in your environment you consumed...arsenic, thallium.
An injury to your lower back?

Most PNs of a metabolic nature, creep up on you over time.

You don't tell us what you have had tested...that would help point you in a direction to take.

Hi I am sorry for all your pain. For me when I started Cymbalta I was so ill for about 2 weeks with nausea. I started on a low dose too at dinner which was supposed to help with that. Anyhow my pain doctor at that time said you may even throw up for a couple weeks but it will go away that feeling. It did. I am not saying you should or should give it time cause some side effects are too bad but just my experience.
I would encourage you to see a pain specialist/anestesolgist. For me they work more with pain control then the neurologist. Not just meds but alternative like acupuncture,tens,etc.
I can understand feeling scared and discouraged. That describes me too. I try to take 1 day at a time and do the best I can in that day. Many fears may not happen. I know this is easier said then done of course.

I am glad you brought up sudden onset of a disease. I have alopecia universalis that started my auto immune problems. It was a guess from Mayo clinic that I may have come in contact with thallium in the ground water. I also played with mercury from a broken thermometer when I was a child. These sudden virus like beginnings to many diseases, may indeed be happening because of polution. I do wonder how many of us started our degenerative conditions with virus like symptoms to begin with? Why are there more kids with ADD? I never even heard of that when I was a kid. I still remember polio in my neighborhood before there was the shot. It just seems to me in general, that maybe we are being exposed to things we know nothing about. Did I get my thyroid nodes (7) from too many CT scans and MRI's.? I am just in that questioning mode. thanks all, and have a peacefull and less painfull day. ginnie

This is why i will never have a family^^ just more problems.