Early symptoms,from childhood, for me were being unable to run, skate, or play sports. Also high arches and weak ankles. I have always been very clumsy and accident prone. My sister wore braces for drop foot fom early childhood. I did not develop numbness until my early 30's, but it has progressed from my toes to above my knees, like your grandmother. I am now 50. I have had progressively more pain and weakness in my legs, as well as my hands and arms, as the years have gone by, and the symptoms have really accelerated in the past three years. I walk with a cane, and am losing the ability to go up stairs.
As Kitt said, everyone's symptoms, onset, and progress are different. I have CMT type 2, axonal degneration. My EMG/NCS is abnormal and shows large fiber neuropathy, my skin punch biopsy shows an advanced small fiber neuropathy. I have very limited ability to move my toes, and there is visible wasting of the muscles in my feet and lower legs.

hmmm when i was a kid i was prone to falling alot (and ending up on my face)but i am currently a runner ... do small fiber neuropathy or CMT become worse during stressful times? thanks so much

Stress definitely exacerbates CMT, it also seems to aggravate other neuropathies, so the answer is a fairly unequivocal "yes"!

I am a hiker. Or perhaps should say I was, as even flat trails are becoming challenging. I think some of us are attracted to certain types of activities because they push our limits,or help us deny them? Running is a very physically stressful activity, though, and you might do well to take a break and substitute walking or swimming until this is settled. I have an aunt who had CMT and compulsively practiced yoga into her nineties.

so is it possible that i have very few symptoms now becuse i am not stressed but when i was at school (during exam time) i tripped all the time and had tingles on an almost daily basis? because now that i am going to neurologists i feel like i have so few symptoms that i may sound crazy but i am worried that when i go back to the stress my symptoms will return as they were before...has anyone else experienced something like this before? thanks

I know that my symptoms are worse during especially stressful times. If the relationship between your symptoms and your stress levels are as clear-cut as you describe, than perhaps you should direct your energies into meditation, or learning how to control your stress levels. There are many resources out there on the subject of mindfulness meditation and chonic pain. It is very effective.

Also, have you ever directly answered he question of whether running makes you feel better or worse or has no effect? Running does induce a meditative state which you can begin to apply to other times in your life. The main idea of mindfulness is to concentrate on what is actually happening at the moment rather than what you fear might happen. I can recommend some books if you like.

i am usually fine when i run but afterwards i tend to be clumsier / have more tripping ... also is becoming dizzy upon standing also a symptom of CMT or small fier neuropathy or is this unrelated? thanks for your help

That is pretty consistent with CMT, fatigue will result in increased tripping, etc. I have the same issue after a long walk. Dizziness when standing up quickly can be a symptom of autonomic issues, but I have always had it and was cleared as far as autonomic neuropathy.