I'm new here (I did post an introduction in the New Members area) and I'm hoping I can get some answers from others with small fiber polyneuropathy.

I haven't been diagnosed with SFN (yet), but from what I've read, it certainly sounds like what might be going on with me.

So...quick rundown of what my experience has been....

- About 8 yrs ago, I had burning pain in my ankle; I thought maybe it was gout but test came back negative. Eventually it subsided on its own.

- About 6-7 years ago, I woke up one night with excruciating burning pain in my thigh (literally, jumped out of bed screaming). Went to the ER, was told it was a pinched nerve; I didn't have health insurance then, so I couldn't get a follow-up.

- About this same time, I also began having issues with fainting if I laugh / cough too much. (I've since had a tilt table test).

- I have since seen 2 neurologists and have had two negative EMGs. I was diagnosed with "maralgia paresthetica" despite the fact that I don't wear tight clothing; the pain is at its worst at night; and physical therapy did not help. I was prescribed Gabapentin but I had a bad reaction.

- Recently, saw a pain management doc; she did an xray but didn't see significant narrowing. She gave me prednisone & flexiril, and referred me for an MRI. I finished the prednisone this past weekend; it didn't help at all with the pain (neither has the flexiril). My MRI is later this month. She did say that, depending on how the meds work, she might refer me to Rheumotology as she thinks it's an autoimmune disorder. My follow-up isn't until 27 May (can't get here quick enough).

Which led me to googling and that such led me here.

So... the questions I have, for those with SFN, are these:

1. If you have the burning pain in one area, can it go away and not reappear there? I'm wondering if the ankle pain I had initially is part of the leg pain I have now? I haven't had the burning in my ankle in years.

2. Does anyone know if chronic migraines are associated with SFN? (Just thought I'd ask).

3. I've read that people with SFN can be really sensitive to hot / cold, but what I've read doesn't go into how that sensitivity manifests, so I'm wondering how does it present itself? Is it that it just makes the pain worse / more frequent?

4. Is frequent tendonitis and / or carpal tunnel syndrome also associated with SFN?

5. Is it possible for someone to be diagnosed with plantar fascitis and it actually be SFN? (I ask because I have been diagnosed with plantar fascitis, but physical therapy has never helped...and now I'm wondering if my foot pain could be tied into this other issue?)


Sorry for the really long post; thank you in advance to anyone that takes the time to read & respond.