Very new - could this be small fiber neuropathy?
 

Hello everyone,

Brand new to the forums and looking for some advice. This started about 2 months ago for me - soon after delivering my first child. At first I could only explain the sensation I had as wetness on my skin; I would literally try and wipe water off of my legs and/or arms when nothing was there. Then I came home one day and two of my fingers were burning, like I got stung by something but there was absolutely nothing there. I ended up running them under cool water for hours and the next day it eventually subsided. Now I have constant cold, burning tingling sensations from head to toe. I don't usually feel much from my neck to my hips, but feet, shins, legs, arms, elbows, knee caps, and especially my scalp and face are constantly feeling this way. My scalp feels like someone put an icecube wrapped in a paper towel on my head (sorry! I just can't explain it any other way). I also feel these "cold burns" on my forehead, temples, ears, lips and around my mouth. In the past few weeks I've begun to notice that every time I scratch an itch, the location will tingle for a few minutes. I go to brush my hair and these tingling sensations linger for 5-10 minutes. Lastly, my upper spine goes numb and tingles constantly throughout the day, almost like someone is applying pressure on my back. Not painful, just very strange.

What is interesting to me is that I never experienced any of this prior or during my pregnancy. I did have an epidural and the doctor had a very difficult time administering it. She could not penetrate my ligaments the first time, had to move down and worked very hard to get it in the second time. I can't help but wonder if this might be the cause of my symptoms? And does this sound like small fiber neuropathy? I can't find much else online that describes symptoms as close to mine as SFN does. I have an appointment with my doctor next week and plan to discuss this with him, but I would really appreciate any opinions or advice from anyone who may experience similar symptoms. It's really starting to effect my life and drive me a bit crazy! Thank you in advance.

It certainly COULD be--
 

--but the acute onset, and the widespread nature of the symptoms, makes it more likely that this involves the central (brain and spinal cord) rather than the peripheral nervous system, especially since you mentioned the epidural . . .

A work-up for you should probably start with MRI's or the brain and spine, to see if there is any compression or demyelination there. The disturbances of sensation you describe could be stemming from the small fibers, but they might also stem from the central nervous system (and the symptoms of disruption to either might be exactly the same).

If small fiber dysfunction is suspected a skin biopsy to measure density and condition of small unmyelinated nerve fibers, or at least some form of quantitative sensory or autonomic testing, may have to be done--standard nerve conduction/electromyelograph studies can only measure activity in larger, myelinated nerves.

idea
 

Hi! I too have your symptoms throughout my body, but it was not connected to a child delivery. I do know two ladies who had neurological symptoms appear after their child's delivery. If you are interested in getting a hold of them please feel free to personal message me here. Danielle

Danielle,

Thank you for your reply. I can't quite figure out how to send you a private message; could you possibly send me one? I'd love to be able to connect with your friends who maybe experienced what I am postpartum...thanks in advance!

-Nicole