Idiopathic Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy of Small Fibers

    
      Re: Idiopathic Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy of Small Fibers
    


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Posted by CCF NEURO MD on May 15, 1997 at 15:21:43:

In Reply to: Idiopathic Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy of Small Fibers posted by Cathy Sharp on May 09, 1997 at 00:09:44:

: Is there a standard course of treatment for this?  My Doctor wanted me to try IVIG, but my HMO says too expensive.  What is the usual treatment.  I have many drug sensitivites and can only tolerate small amounts of Nortrip. & Elavill.   Thank you.
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There is no real standard treatment for sensory neuropathies.  IVIG is becoming very vogue in the treatment of neuropathies and neuromuscular disorders.  It has been proven for some but there are only some indivual reports of people responding to it in most instances.  At the Cleveland Clinic we are not using IVIG for sensory neuropathies.  There probably are some institutions using it in experimental research, but I do not know which ones.  IVIG is very expensive to use and I am not suprised that your insurance company is putting up a fuss.  Other current treatments include tricyclic antidepressants, tegretol, dilantin, mexilitine, and neurontin.  They are useful to a number of patients. But there are still those patients that are resistant to all treatments.  Most sensory neuropathies become less painful as time goes on, due to the progression of the disease.  However, this is associated with increased numbness.  There is a national organization where you can get additional information:
The Neuropathy Associtation
PO box 2055
Lenox Hill Station
NY, NY  10021
1-800-247-6968
Web site:  http://www.neuropathy.org