Yes it is. I'm one of those people who had a normal skin biopsy, but significant symptoms. There are others likes this on this message board and also a facebook group that I'm in.

What's the medical explanation for SFN symptoms with a normal skin biopsy? I could see myself getting the test and it come back normal.

I think this is once of my biggest fears: Having x, y, z symptoms, several tests ran, and all normal results. I guess the wait on the FIRST neuro appt will at least buy me some time for possible damage to show!! I have been scheduled for an appt now for over a month. I can't complain, for I have seen many on this forum having to wait ages. I'm just ready to get my life back.

Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2

Well I have body wide symptoms, but the symptoms in my upper body are the worst. I have damage in my arms - can't feel temperature change and it hurts to have clothing touching my arms some days. My neuro took skin punch samples from one of my legs and told me that they don't take arm samples. So it really depends on your situation.

It was my total fear - I have all normal results. My old primary didn't even think that the temperature loss in my arms was of significance. He just kept saying that it didn't make sense; he didn't seem to understand much, frankly. So I dropped him and my HMO like a hot potato. It made total sense to the Neurology dept, thankfully I live in a city with a big teaching hospital that sees everything. So I do feel vindicated. Unfortunately, neurology recommended the pain clinic as I figured they would.

I use to be fearful of never finding the answers to what was causing this terrible pain. I was lucky that my SFN was diagnosed by a biopsy within 6 months. Then all the testing started to find the reason for the neuropathy. So many test with no answers. I believe it was fluoroquinolone toxicity. It took me six years to go bak in my records and find out I was on the antibiotic when I first developed the pain.

Unfortunately, knowing the answer doesn't change the treatment for me. I'm told from now on it is just a matter of pain management. I'm trying as hard as I can to accept it. Little by little I'm getting there.

Thanks...will see if it gets approved through United Healthcare.

I'm at the two month mark of the onset of symptoms and nothing really has changed except maybe a slight improvement from the initial onset.

Just got an email from my neurologist that my insurance does not need prior authorization to conduct the skin biopsy. My neuro said he has ordered the kit and will work me in when it arrives.

Quick question:

How long does it take for the results once the test is completed? I'm assuming it has to be sent to a lab.

For my biopsy, they told me 6-8 weeks, but had some results completed after 2 weeks. The rest of the results were done by week 6. Mine was an in-house situation...which is not common. Many hospitals send their skin punches to Therapath.

The should be able to examine the sample to rule out vasculitus and amyloidosis; they will also examine the quality and quantity of nerve fibers. I think I also had to avoid any type of anti-inflammatory before the test. And make sure you think about the spots that hurt the most and have them take the sample from that leg. Good luck!