I have SFN, have had it for a year. You sound like you have many of the symptoms. i will say this before I go no further, you can not die from SFN (specifically). I can not diagnose you for sure and would never attempt to. If you neurologist says you have "anxiety"? With all due respect, he is a jerk and find a new guy who is willing to do the proper testing. The best way to confirm it is skin biopsy. They will go through some other tests first because of insurance. But, small fiber will only be seen from a skin biopsy. There is no reason they haven't offered to at least prescribe you a low dose Gabapentin to hep with the pain. Gabapentin also helps with anxiety so i can't imagine why that Neuro wouldn't at least consider it.

Thanks. But do you experience the same symptoms as I described?
I am really depressed, anxious ((
So, you can live with SFN normal or do you have for example only years?
Do you have paresthesias all over your body?

I have had it for a year (that i know of). And like you it seemed to come out of nowhere. That is quite common. I wouldnt say you will live "normal", you will live challenged. At least that is the stage i am at now. Struggling with what i can and can not eat, whether the medicine works, the supplements work, etc. For me, scripture helps. For some, that can make it worse or is of no interest to them. But, the key thing is to find places to turn for those moments of despair. Places like this forum!

As far as the "anxiety" I had much of it when i first started having the symptoms. i battled panic attacks much of the time going from this doctor to that doctor, worrying what it could be, googling it and seeing all the awful possibilities. I literally would sit in waiting rooms in hot sweats, rooms spinning. Stressing over what will become of my life. Now, looking back i realize that is where the Panic came from. Once I had a confirmed, sensible diagnosis the panic magically disappeared. Plus, SFN is something that will take the focus of that away. You wont be able to get as stressed and nervous when you have real pain that has a diagnosis. Once again, that is my situation.

Please DO NOT panic. Everyone has a cross to bear in life. And you become challenged. You will gain amazing perspective and appreciation for things that you took for granted. It isn't a death sentence, it can be painful. But, you haven't even tried medicine or alternatives yet. Just stay focused on treatment, not on the dread of what is to come. You can stress about nerve pain day and night and in the end something else may do you in. So please dont fear death. I never feared that once I went to doctors willing to do what wa needed. Get a diagnosis. A real good one and then make this site your second home.

I hope this in some way can help calm you. There is no reason to panic, at all.


BTW - Thanks for the welcome other users. This site has been one I have frequented for months but just finally got registered after some issues with verizon blocking me.

Thank you all. Today i have emg. I am scared how this will go. Is it painfull? Are there any risk?
Does anyone have constant buzzing ot vibrating?
I would like to have a family and i do not know if this is possible.
I started to get these symptons after tcd bubble study. First my toes in both legs thsn after some days legs thN after a week trunk and head and now arms so the whole body. I am scared because it goes fast. Some write only about tingling in legs for example.

Hm is it ok if i have mr of the head and neck without contrast?

Yes. That is how i had mine.

I believe the purpose of contrast is to show more detail in the
pictures. Our MS posters often get their brain MRIs with contrast.

But without contrast is safer for the patients, since the visualizing
agents can be toxic to some people.

If something is found iffy...on a contrast free test, then the option to redo with contrast may be offered.

Mine were ordered with and without as the neurologist was looking for signs of MS. This post on MedHelp describes why contrast is used.

http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_p...in-MS?hp_id=23


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The constant buzzing and vibrating sucks doesn't it? But yeah, that's normal. And over time that will likely go away and be replaced with something else. I used to always get the buzzing and vibrating. I use to call it "whole body plugged into and outlet" feeling. You may get a prickling feeling or a burning in weird spots, Then the buzzing may come back. These can be anywhere on your body, it doesn't mean its spreading and taking over it just means your nervous system is getting mixed messages.

I would seriously recommend right now giving up all refined carbohydrates. All the bad stuff. Limit your sugar to as little as humanly possible. Try to avoid potatoes (man thats tough). Breads. All the "white carbs". And, unfortunately artificial sugar is no good either. The body sees it the same way. Man, they will set the nerves off. You basically have to eat a Atkins style diet. Which is great for weight loss and health, but not good for personal satisfaction at times. When you make this adjustment the symptoms should reduce. Not go away but make life more manageable. Then you can try introducing healthy sugars (fruits) back in slowly and see how you handle them. Some are worse than others. Apples and Berries tend to be better tolerated than Oranges, etc.

I would not relate the TCD study to this. There is no evidence of ultrasound's causing neuropathy. They're harmless.

No reason why you couldn't have a family if you ask me. I have 2 kids and they are the ones that keep me going and give me hope for the future. They are what makes me want to keep fighting.

I really think you should talk to doctors, better doctors. Get more than one opinion. Also check for the best ones in your area who specialize in neuropathy. Some are MS guys, some are seizure guys. Make sure Neuropathy is a specialty. If you call a group (which is often the best bet) ask them for the doctor who specializes in peripheral neuropathy.

+1
I am so sorry for your situation and lack of support from the doctors. I went all over the place before I could get someone to do a skin biopsy for me. And if it had been negative (you could still have SFN and have a negative skin biopsy), then it would still be: skin disturbance, pain syndrome, anxiety, etc.. Unfortunately, you have to act as calm as possible, but when the clinicians can't figure it out due to laziness, lack of knowledge, or genderism, their go to is ANXIETY.

I even had to mention that unless they were ready to commit me and I had a psychological break, no amount of anxiety could cause my symptoms.

Hope you can find an empathic doctor that will listen and realize that ANYONE with those symptoms would have anxiety.

Hope you get some relief very soon.