I have a bilateral, asymmetrical, familial small-fiber neuropathy, with some large fiber and autonomic involvement. The origin appears to be hereditary, form an autosomal dominant gene. I suspect that toxic exposure to compound varnish may have been the trigger for the condition.

And moving on to . . . Jack Daniels, weed, whatever. I would encourage anyone who has any traits or habits pertaining to addiction to be careful with marijuana. It can be powerfully psychologically addictive. On the other hand . . . there appears to be no question that it can be an effective pain reliever.

I tried it as my condition deteriorated, but I found it to be not helpful at all. In fact, it tended to intensify my pain sensations. I have an MD friend who is a BIG advocate of using it for pain relief. He is a chief of an oncology dept. and has been doing some research on the side (he is also a huge fan of integrative medicine as preached by Dr. Andrew Weil). I think he just completed a study and has published his results -- may have been a pilot study. If anyone is interested, I can find it and post a link.

rafi