What are the symptoms of small fiber neuropathy?

The symptoms of small fiber sensory neuropathy are primarily sensory in nature and include unusual sensations such as pins-and-needles, pricks, tingling and numbness. Some patients may experience burning pain or coldness and electric shock-like brief painful sensations.

How do you treat small fiber neuropathy?

Diabetes is the most common identifiable cause of small fiber neuropathy. Serologic testing can help uncover a vitamin deficiency or other potentially treatable condition. Antiepileptics, antidepressants, and topical agents are first-line drugs for managing pain.

What is it like to live with small fiber neuropathy?

Small fiber neuropathy is sometimes described as an underlying health ailment in diabetes and many autoimmune and inherited diseases. When a patient has SFN, damage in small fibers produces burning pain and prickling or stinging-like sensations.

What is the difference between neuropathy and small fiber neuropathy?

Small fiber neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy that affects the small nerve fibers in the skin. This condition usually causes an unpleasant tingling sensation or burning pain in the feet. However, people who have small fiber neuropathy may have reduced sensitivity to heat and certain types of pain.

How serious is small fiber neuropathy?

Symptoms of small fiber neuropathy can range from mild to severe. People often experience mild symptoms that may go unnoticed in the early stages. Over time, symptoms typically worsen and progress to other areas of the body.

Why is small fiber neuropathy worse at night?

At night our body temperature fluctuates and goes down a bit. Most people tend to sleep in a cooler room as well. The thought is that damaged nerves might interpret the temperature change as pain or tingling, which can heighten the sense of neuropathy.

Does small Fibre neuropathy come and go?

Most people with small fiber neuropathy experience a slow progression, with symptoms moving up the body from the feet. A diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy doesn’t mean you’ll be diagnosed with large fiber neuropathy later on. Neuropathic pain can worsen over time. In other cases, it goes away on its own.

Does small fiber neuropathy cause fatigue?

Among those with small fiber polyneuropathy, 98 percent report tiredness and 96 percent report reduced endurance or strength for activities, says Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, FAAN, associate professor of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.