Differences
 

What is the difference between non length dependent and length dependent neuropathy? Thank you.

The difference--
 

--is primarily one of symptom presentation and spread.

Length dependent neuropathy, which is a more common presentation, occurs when the tips of longer nerves in the body--those that lead to the feet/toes and/or the fingertips--are affected by neuropathic processes first. Many circulatory/ischemic neuropathies present this way, due to the fact that those nerves farthest from the center of circulation are the first to suffer deleterious consequences of an inability to get oxygen/nutrients in and waste products out.

Non-length dependent neuropathies--often associated with infection, toxicity, autoimmunities, and some other causes--are more global, and do not necessarily cause symptoms in the extremities first--one can experience these anywhere--toes, legs, hands, arms, trunk, face, and so on.

So Glen, mine started in between my second and third toes in left foot then spread to right foot then in a matter of literally months spread upwards to involve my whole body, does this sound like LDN or NLDN? Thanks,Jan

That--
 

--sounds length dependent--and bilateral/symmetrical--very common presentation. The difference for you is that more areas of the body were involved than just the extremities. But, while that is less common than neuropathies that stay confined to the arms/legs for long periods, it is not unheard of in autoimmune/toxic/infectious or even some nutritional neuropathies.

The spread seems relatively quick--but would still be classified as sub-acute to chronic, rather than acute ("acute" spread is hours/days to a week or so).

Thanks Glen, I saw a neurologist out here at UCLA, she ran all kinds of tests and ruled out autoimmune and toxic, said probably infectious, although I am hypoglycemic and think this could be my problem, she disagrees saying it would not have spread this quickly if it was the hypoglycemia, she also said I could get better in one to two years, it's been a year and I am worse, I don't know it's so discouraging, anyway thanks for your very informative answers I appreciate it.

Reaching Out
 

Hi, (Liftyourhands7) Jan....
I'll jump right in with a big I'M SORRY you're suffering and going through this awful experience... and I know, because I am too. Hopefully, we can support each other and offer advice on treatment and recovery:) If you care to read my original post under heb1212, you can see that my experience is much like yours. Never heard of this happening to ANYONE, and as you have said in previous posts, no one can truly understand the level of the pain and fear that seems to spread as quick as the neuropathy. I too have SFN absolutely body-wide... head to toe. Started with tingling, burning feet in October and now includes my scalp, face, mouth, eyes, nose, throat and everywhere in between. I've had every test imaginable, and the only thing the many doctors can conclude is a post-viral event triggering the neuropathy after something called parvo virus b19 last summer, which I suppose is better than the idea of something entirely "idiopathic." Bless your heart as you sift through this. Did I read correctly that you've had IVIG therapy? If so, I am wondering how you are doing since. It hasn't even been suggested to me... only symptomatic treatment with Gabapentin. I am very leery of the suggestion of the other antidepressant meds. Don't want to become drug dependent and in a stupor all the time. The gabapentin is bad enough.
In God's Grip
Cathy

Oh Cathy,

Thanks so much in responding to my post, I am so sorry you to are suffering with this terrible neuropathy. No I have never had IVIG, my first neurologist wanted me to have it and we even went so far as submitting the request for it to my insurance company, my insurance company denied request because ALL of my EMG testing came back negative, so I ended up going to the University Hosptial, UCLA, here in Los Angeles, I saw one of their top neurologists who said that IVIG would probably not help me and that it could have some serious side effects, I trust her opinion, and besides that I prayed and asked the Lord to guide my Doctors, and I trust him completely. So here I am a year later with SFN, my Doctor seems to think that a viral infection started all of this, but I also have been hypoglycemic for the last 8 years, I still believe this could have something to do with mine. I like you take Gabapentin 300mg 3 times a day, I don't take antidepressants either, like you said Gabapentin makes me feel foggy enough. If you ever want to talk by phone let me know and I will PM you my number. In the meantime I will be praying for you, it's a terrible condition, but there are other things that could be worse, and like many have told me here, it's not fatal, I guess that's something to be grateful for.Blessings, Jan