I was diagnosed with SFN several years ago. At the same time I started having several terrible digestive problems. None of the doctors I have seen have ever linked the 2.
After reading about autonomic neuropathy, it sounds like that is exactly what my digestive problems seem to be.

Do SFN and autonomic neuropathy normally go hand-in-hand, or are they 2 completely different, unrelated problems?
Would I be out of line to suggest this is my problem, before starting a whole series of tests to try to find out why I am having digestive problems, which is what my doctor wants to do.

Antibiotics seems to be the common treatment for this. Shouldn't that be my first step considering that I already know I have SFN, before starting intestinal biopsy, etc. etc.? I had a recent colonoscopy and am clear of polyps. Help.

Thanks

You would not be out of line. I have pulled some info from this website for you:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086960/
"Small nerve fiber neuropathies also may result in autonomic and enteric dysfunction. Patients often do not identify the relationship of these symptoms to their sensory complaints; however, when asked, they may report dry eyes, dry mouth, postural lightheadedness, presyncope, syncope, abnormal sweating, erectile dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, early satiety, difficulty with urinary frequency, nocturia, and/or voiding"

If it were me, with all the findings about certain antibiotics causing neuropathy that would not be my first step. There are numerous posts on this subject. There are tests and treatment for autonomic involvement but someone who is more familiar with that subject will have to help you out. Good luck!

Hi LMPinkereton

Just to add to pinknose's info here's another link to a fact sheet about the different types of neuropathy.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/p...neuropathy.htm

In regard to your digestive issues have you ruled out Candidiasis? - antiobiotics would likely make any Candida issues worse. You could try starting with adding a good multi probiotic to your diet and see if that helps. If no improvement then autonomic nerve involvement could be possible.

All the best for finding answers.

Thanks for the information.
I have tried probiotics twice in the last few months. Both times I had to stop after a week or 2, because the probiotics made thing much, much worse. Why would that be?

It could be due to something called Candida "die-off" - if you have Candida that is. Here's a link which explains it better than I can.

http://www.holistichelp.net/candida-die-off.html

I use the probiotics in supplement form occasionally when I feel there may be a problem (eg diarrhoea) or if I think I might not have got enough in my diet with yogurt etc. Maybe taking a high dose probiotic could cause the die-off reaction - try starting with maybe one capsule every few days for a couple of weeks and build up slowly. Also watch refined sugar intake - this is food for candida.

I don't know about SFN and Autonomic NEUROPATHY (emphasis on neuropathy) but I have been diagnosed with autonomic DYSFUNCTION and am awaiting a biopsy for SFN in early December. Im not entirely clear myself what the difference is - except that neuropathy may be a more severe case of the dysfunction I am experiencing. I posted a few posts before you did. I don't have digestive issues.