CallieAndToby

What kind of antibody testing are y'all getting? Even after the positive small fiber neuropathy biopsy results, nobody has done any further digging or antibody testing and IVIG helped me in the past with dysautonomia but I only got approved for 6 months for autoimmune encephalitis. It's too expensive as well and the insurance companies don't want to pay for it, a close family member has an FDA approved condition of primary immunodeficiency and she can't get it either but has constant infections. I personally can't tolerate any immunosuppressive medications (steroids, rituximab).

I have it all the time as well. Haven't found a solution. It definitely has something to do with the autonomic dysfunction in my case. I went to an ENT and they did some testing and diagnosed me with vertigo as well.

I'm going to follow this thread too, I'm a very complex mystery case and I can't really tolerate the autonomic medications and they don't help in me being upright. So I was diagnosed with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) by 3 different physicians and it does usually involve post exertional malaise which is basically crashing and getting very very sick (or at least more fatigued) after any physical or mental activity. Though to receive a diagnosis there is a huge packet your physician has to go through and there is a lot of testing involved. I.E. they look at natural killer cell count and function, B cells, T cells, cytokine levels, potential chronic infections which is also hallmark of ME but some people don't respond to the treatment but over a decade ago I tested positive for Parvo and different strains of coxsackie. I am extremely fatigued too, it's just insane. IVIG did help me in the past, saline infusions as well, and I was just diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy but no word from the physician who ordered the biopsies. There isn't really a concrete treatment for ME and it's so complicated, there's just no funding over here for this disabling disease but many patients get help from different things sounds like you've tried some with the LDN, anti-inflammatory medications, etc. Some ME patients have found through geneticists (genetic testing) that they have Mitochondrial disease. I don't really know the treatment for this but causes bad fatigue starting at a cellular level.

I didn't have a good time with clonidine either because I felt extremely vasodilated and actually got insomnia because of it, but I found that a very tiny dose of naproxen cerebrally vasodilates and give me a similar effect. It just takes time to find the right dose, I only take a tiny piece but it does help and doesn't cause such insomnia and tiredness just feel more relaxed and helps with headaches. It's a NSAI and some constrict but the naproxen dilates.

The only thing that helped me was CBD gummies and only 2 brands out of 20 helped but they have since quit working, really sucks because that was the best sleep I was getting. My doctors won't prescribe saline infusions even at an infusion center and they are super helpful for me as well.

Thank you both for the recommendation. I'd like to hear him speak on this.

Thank you for the info. I've never heard of the neuropathy panel but I definitely need somebody to take a good look into this and do further testing! I have had some autoimmune labs pop up as positive in the past (Anti DSDNA positive twice and anti GAD positive). My pain started in my bladder, then my shins (so awful), then my hands. They even did surgery on one of my shins a long time ago and it didn't help so it's nice to have answers but I don't understand why this wasn't checked before with my constellation of symptoms. My mother actually requested the testing by mouth and by written letter. Let me know how the testing goes! Hopefully we can both find some answers and/or good treatment.

So I finally got a biopsy last week and it came back positive but I don't know if it's autoimmune related. My pain started when I was a teenager so I've tried many of the antidepressant / pain meds and they just don't work (Cymbalta, Gabapentin, try-cyclics). I also read that SFN affects bowels, bladder, GI tract, autonomic, and those are all major issues for me so I'm looking for more of a resolution and not just treat the pain. A lot of websites say that there is usually a root cause (unless idiopathic) and they list many diseases and disorders but I wouldn't know who to see to investigate all that was mentioned. I don't have diabetes or pre diabetes which is mentioned a lot so that can easily be ruled out. Wondering what others on the forum have done? I don't know much about this.

Klonopin is very helpful. I have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and it's been helpful for crashes and all of my friends with ME take it as well. Edit add: I have a newish psychiatrist and when I asked for a klonopin refill he screamed and ranted at me for 30 minutes. I've never had a medical professional talk to me like that! He accused me of being an addict even though I've taken klonopin at 1mg for the past 10 years and Xanax before that. I've never abused anything in my entire life. It was a very hurtful exchange. He said he won't even treat patients who take klonopin. I tried to explain the physiological benefits and I told him that all my ME/CFS + dysautonomia friends take it and get a lot of help, he just kept spouting out angry nonsense. My neurologist and oncologist have no issues with my medications! Has anybody else experienced this?

I've had good experiences with Xanax and Klonopin, valium for me was too next day sedating but it's different for everyone. I think the benzodiazepines have been one of the most helpful things I've used so it's definitely worth a try. If you do have sedation issues, Xanax has a much shorter half life (the shortest in this class).

None of my doctors really told me how much salt to add to my diet but they all told me to increase it and I've just found what's worked for me. Dr. Randy Thompson got me started on dissolvable salt tablets that you put in water and drink and told me to do that 2-3 times a day; they can be bought at health food stores. And as @GasconAlexmentioned, certain foods are already high in sodium like canned soups and canned meats, etc. Sorry I can't be more helpful, I was never really given a number. Electrolyte drinks are really helpful for some but they flare my bladder because I have interstitial cystitis (can't tolerate potassium or citric acid) but if you can handle drinking them they definitely have a lot of good stuff and were specifically created for athletes. There are probably some resources online with recommendations on amounts.

I'm not sure if mine is an inner ear problem either. My laptop doesn't bother me but being in a moving vehicle or anything moving is really bothersome with the vertigo and crashes me. I'm still looking for answers.

I was too sick to travel by the time my appointment arrived. It's quite the distance for me so I didn't make it. There is a really long wait time but hopefully you can get in, best of luck.

CBD has helped in the past with deep sleep, I definitely suggest CBD but talk to your doctor first as it does increase certain neurotransmitters.

The LDN was making me tired and sick but also insomnia so I couldn't tolerate it like most things. It is known for causing insomnia so I just wanted to mention that. I have seen sleep specialists many years ago but I've tried everything including xyrem. My sleep study in my early 20's showed constant alpha intrusions and really high heart rate in my sleep which lead to dysautonomia diagnosis and beta blocker (that did resolve heart rate) but they didn't have any other advice. It never feels like I've slept. CBD gummies were really working for me for about a year and that would give me a deep sleep but they suddenly quit working. I'm also drugged and over sedated all the time. My head also hurts terribly from the lack of sleep. I will say that they won't give me anything for pain and people have what is called "painsomnia" but they have taken pain meds from everyone and I have very severe chronic pain all over. Thanks for advice.