Skin Biopsy Results: Length Dependent?

[SparkleKid]

Well in my last appointment they did a skin biopsy. Dr says I likely have small fiber neuropathy based on his observation and he expects the biopsy results will confirm. I've already had all the diagnostic tests done so if the biopsy comes back positive he says it will be idiopathic. The only question is whether it's length dependent or non-length dependent. He said my symptoms point towards non-length dependence. The biopsy will be able to tell cause they took distal samples and proximal samples. Interesting he said idiopathic neuropathys generally run a course of about five years then improve to some degree but usually not completely. The important thing is to minimize nerve damage as much as possible during this time. Diet, relaxation and moderate exercise are all very well important. He said it's probably autoimmune related.He told me to take 400mg a day of Alpha Lipoic Acid. He said studies had shown that it protects the nerves in neuropathys.He will discuss other treatment possibilities in my next appointment next month after we get the biopsy results.

 

[FernFinnegan]

Scoby, thank you for this information. I think we would all probably do well to start the acid! Please keep us posted on your results. Interesting indeed in light of Buzznerd's recent posting on this.

 

[SparkleKid]

Biopsy negative. Great now what? What could possibly be causing paresthesia and twitching all over? Really frustrated. The Alpha Lipoic Acid does help some.

 

[GHayes420]

Thanks for sharing. I was hoping it was positive. Now you are with the rest of us. Just plain ol' BFS with now *beep* causation and we most likely will never find one.

 

[SparkleKid]

I guess now my fear is if the neuropathic pain all over is not from the small fibers then where is it coming from? The brain? That opens up a whole list of fears. Parkinson's syndroms among them. I just don't see widespread pain and some autonomic dysfuction like I have as a symptom of BFS.

 

[Deutsche]

Dear Scoby, I also have neuropathic pain. In my case not the small but definitely the long fibers are concerned (double sided ulnar nerve syndrom, meralgia paresthetica - the latter recovered luckily almost completely after about a year but was so painful in the beginning that I could not walk for weeks). But I also do not have a confirmed polineuropathy...I am asking the same question. Why do I have the pain...I am taking this Alpha Lippon Acid 600 mg since about a year now. I cannot say if it has helped...I don't know what would have happened without it...I just proceed with it.After a final visit at a renowed neuromuscular specialist who had just one further idea to check out I decided to give the alternative medicine a chance...I think some people here already tried a therapy towards mitochondrial dysfunction. It is well known for causing trouble on a neuromuscular base...For me it is worth a try..I just want to give you a further idea.

 

[JuanitaPeralta]

Actually 600mg of ALA per day is what was proven to work. It's in NIH website.

 

[SparkleKid]

Sweat gland density test just came back abnormal on the calf! Report says consistent with small fiber neuropathy. Thigh was normal. Haven't had a chance to talk to Dr yet. Not exactly sure what this means and where I go from here. A little freaked out by this as I wasn't expecting the second test results.

 

[JuanitaPeralta]

I've read it's associated with twitching. I spoke to a person who has it and twitching.

 

[GHayes420]

I find the prospect of them finding SFN on me intriguing. I am scheduling a visit to a top neurologist at Washington University in St. Louis with the goal of them finding and possibly dx'ing SFN. Even though I still struggle with fears on occasion, I have no further investigation for ALS warranted at this time. However I do get the burning sensations on various parts of my body as well. I do get some long fiber neuropathy as well (currently sural neuritis of unknown etiology) so that makes me questionable a bit at times. I will let you know. Thank you SparkleKid and Buzznerd for bringing this possibility to light for many of us. -Greg

 

[SparkleKid]

I still haven't heard from Dr yet on the next step. The nurse said he may be consulting with another dr on my case. The good thing about Duke is the Drs work in teams. The R-Alpha Lipoic Acid really has helped me with the pain. I ran out and didn't take it for a day Iand the pain started coming back. I hope this may be a clue as to the mechanism behind all this.I have neuropathic pain but the sensory biopsy test came back normal. Just the autonomic fibers in the sweat gland test came back abnormal. I obviously don't understand how all this is connected. I plan to ask the dr.

 

[SparkleKid]

I may be mistaken then about the motor small fibers. The dr said you can twitch with small fiber neuropathy and I assumed that meant there were small fiber motor nerves. That may not be the case though. Could be some other reason for twitching. Of course I'm not a doctor so my assumptions can be misguided.

 

[PrickLedPin]

Skin biopsy may show negative result while having SFN.Sweet test can show positive result.A simple test done in the past by neuro with a tuning fork is showing i have more sensation at the level of the knee than at the foot level.He said probably sfn. As well as long fiber neuropathy because of twitches. Not progressing.Probably autoimmune.It is 6 years + i have this.We have to live with this even if it is not fun ... there is no solution.Just hope there is no flare up with more symptoms that will appears in the future.I got dry eye 3 yers ago. Prety sure it is because of that.Good luck.

 

[BFSDiner]

Its interesting.I only take 3 supplements and have done so for the duration of my BFS recovery:* Alpha Lipoic Acid* R Lipoic Acid* CoQ 10And two of the three are mentioned above as being therapeutic for BFS by others. Nice to hear.-B-