Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
Hi friends
IAbout 9 months ago I had a nerve conduction test with a specialist neurologist. After the findings were suspicious of nerve damage, I had a "punch" biopsy about a month ago and it came back for SFN. "Normal" nerve density is over 5.3 and mine is 2.1 (positive for SFN is 4.0).
The dx made sense and was expected because of the burning in my legs at night for over a year, and my gait being unsteady.
But the list of symptoms makes me wonder how much of my illness is the original MECFS and how much is the SFN. I mean, there are days I have some energy but it's like my muscles just don't work, I drop things numerous times a day, my stomach doesn't digest without enzymes and sleeping with an infrared pack on my belly all night to help things move along.
Here's a list of the most common symptoms. What do you think? Do any of them sound familiar?
Symptoms of small fiber neuropathy can vary. Pain is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include sensations, such as:
- burning, tingling, or prickling (paresthesia)
- short bursts of pain
- loss of sensation (( Note from Me - probably why we drop things))
Some sensory symptoms can be caused by external triggers. For instance, some people might experience foot pain when wearing socks or touching bedsheets.
Symptoms can be mild or severe, though early symptoms are often mild. Small fiber neuropathy tends to affect the feet first and progress upward. This is known as a “stocking-and-glove” distribution. At later stages, this condition may affect the hands.
In some cases, small fiber neuropathy disrupts autonomic functions. Autonomic functions are things your body does automatically, such as regulating digestion, blood pressure, and urinary function.
When autonomic nerve fibers are affected, symptoms can include:
- constipation
- difficulty sweating
- dizziness
- dry eyes
- dry mouth
- incontinence
- postural lightheadedness
- sexual dysfunction
- skin discoloration
It's both good to hear from you and sad to hear that you are suffering these symptoms. I hope that the new diagnosis helps you get treatment that lessens them.
The only symptoms of SFN that might apply to me are that I have trouble with a dry mouth when I sleep, but that is most probably related to my sleep apnoea. Occasionally I just drop something out of the blue, but that's very rare and usually happens when I'm particularly tired. My feet get cold very easily these days but my type 2 diabetes is probably responsible and my regular check up shows no loss of sensation.
It can be so hard to tell what causes what when you have multiple conditions.
Wishing you all the best health,
Carol