Small fiber p n -- help needed please
 

Hi I saw neurologist yesterday and he's diagnosed sfpn. I couldn't feel the cold probe until it reached my knees and now I have to have some electrical tests. I have no pain and this is what I find puzzling - not that I want pain but most of you on here get pain quite badly. Also I feel like I'm walking on lumps. I'm so worried as he said it was due to compression of the spinal cord probably in my lower back and I'm worrying so much it could be a spinal cord tumour thats causing all this numbness and sensory loss. Does anyone else have symptoms like this? Sorry to come across as pathetic...Thank you, Sarah.

Response to Sarah
 

Hi Sarah,
Yes, I have had same symptoms for past 10 years, no pain, just numbness in feet up to ankle. MRIs showed nothing on the spinal cord or in the brain. I have had much improvement with exercise, floor exercises to keep muscles in legs strong, cycle riding, water exercise, and walking 1-2 miles a day when I can. Also, get off all processed food, if you're not diabetic, which I am not either, but go on a modified diet that keeps your carbs down; as much as you can, cook and eat at home, not frozen entrees, real food, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, chicken, and start on the supplements that are recommended on Neuro Talk. R-Lipoic Acid, Primrose Oil, and the others use one at a time for a couple of months to see if improvement. First, and foremost, be sure you are not gluten intolerant. I am and did not show up on celiac blood test but once I stopped eating gluten my digestion healed. I'm a new person because of it. Now, I think just have to wait for time to heal the nerves with the good food I eat, supplements and exercise. Let me know how you're doing. I hope this helps. Jelly Bean

Hi Sarah,

This condition spooks most of us quite a bit. We don't understand it, we don't know why, and we don't know why us. My PN began with nearly identical symptoms to yours. It took over a year for the burning & pain to set in. I won't tell you that a tumor is impossible, but your doctor is probably right; the probability of it being a tumor is very small, and some imaging (x-ray, MRI) will rule that out. Even if it were, not all tumors are malignant.

You're doing the right thing by not ignoring it, asking questions, and seeking answers. NT is, AFAIK, one of the better places to come for them. Read the "stickies", ask your questions, and prepare yourself to communicate with your doctor. The stress of fear, while difficult to dismiss, will not help, and possibly aggravate whatever the problem is, and interfere with clear thinking.

Doc

If the physician said it was due to spinal cord compression--
 

--is there any evidence of that? MRI's showing stenosis/spinal cord compromise?

The problem with neurological symptoms of disturbed sensation or motor function is that they can be exactly mimicked by compromise in the spinal cord or nerve roots vs. more systemic peripheral nerve problems. This is why extensive investigation is often necessary.

An isolated SMALL-FIBER problem, though, would be unlikely to stem only from the spinal cord/nerve roots. That would usually involve larger fiber nerves as well, and in specific dermatome regions (where the nerve roots go to). It seems more investigation is in order--what type of testing have you had, so far, overall?

You might want to peruse the Liza Jane spreadsheets:

www.lizajane.org

----as they're very comprehensive in detailing tests for neurological symptoms (and a good way to track test results over time as well).

Sarah...
 

Please dont ever feel like you need to say you are sorry. You do not come across as pathetic. You are another person just trying to find out about your health situation. Every one on the site is here for themselves or someone they love. Pn is hard on everyone involved. If you cant turn to fellow pn people who can you turn to. We are here for you...

God bless

Thank you so much x

Haven't been referred for ANY tests like MRIs or XRAYs.....

super glue feeling
 

Hi Sarah.
hope you are doing better...

I also have this super glue feeling on the bottom of my feet but it feels like it's undereath the skin.. it's more pronounced if I flex my feet.. if i touch the bottom of my feet I have sensation..

I'm wondering if I also have small fiber neuropathy..