Instead of offering us drugs such as Gaberpentin - which will only ever mask pain at best - why isn't more effort made to establish the causes of all types of neuropathy? Why can't they try IViG on someone like me just to see if it helps as a way of establishing the cause and slowing down the deterioration of nerve damage?

I'm irritated because my latest rheumatology letter states that he is suggesting I try Norotriptyline and Pregabalin but I'm declining. The implication is that it can't be that painful after all. But I've told him that, after several years of severe burning pain my main symptom now is widespread pins and needles with numbness and this spatial issue/ disorientation. If my problem is with my proprioception from lack of sensation (and my diagnosis of SFN is a clinicical one from a neurologist) then how on earth would drugs such as these help me? They aren't designed to modify the neuropathy - only to reduce the pain. My pain has largely burnt out now and I'm left with loss of sensation and muscle weakness/ poor grip, inability to regulate temperature, smell or sweat and an unpleasant taste the whole time. Plus I'm exhausted from having to think extra hard about where I'm walking and not losing my balance if I turn too fast or am crossing roads or faced with changes in floor patterns. How on earth would Pregabalin or Norotryptyline help with this?

The two oral surgeons/ maxilofacial doctors I've seen have both advised me to avoid these type of medications so I will. But I read of friends with OA and RA being offered laser therapy for tendinitis and yet this kind of therapy is never suggested to me for nerve pain/ numbness/ widespread tingle and burn/chill. I just get fed up with doctors shrugging and telling me they will probably never find the cause now so I need to accept that these nerve pain drugs are all they can offer me.

I've tried three already with disastrous consequences. I wish there was some kind of anti static device one could climb into and climb out static free and able to feel steady again.