Skin Biopsy

Diagnosing Small Fiber Neuropathy

By LtCol Eugene B Richardson, USA (Retired) BA, MDiv, EdM, MS2 Comments

Diagnoising small fiber neuropathy with skin punch biopsy

You’ve probably been hearing and reading more about small fiber neuropathy. Doctors can now make the diagnosis in their office, by doing a 3 mm skin punch biopsy and sending the specimen to Therapath for determination of epidermal nerve fiber density. The procedure takes only 5 to 10 minutes to perform, […]

Discovery Raises Prospect of New Neuropathy Treatments

BAR HARBOR, ME – Recent research by Sandra Rieger, Ph.D., of the MDI Biological Laboratory identifying the underlying mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, has raised the prospect that drug therapies can be developed for the treatment of this condition, which causes pain, numbness and/or tingling in the hands […]

Why I need Intravenous Gamma Globulin Infusions (IVIg)

“Without IVIg, to breathe and speak simultaneously were impossible, motor functions ceased confining me to a wheelchair…” Without Intravenous Gamma Globulin Infusions (IVIg) my symptoms had become life threatening as noted by my treating Neurologist in 2005 and my quality of life was reduced to one level above insanity. Without […]

Can the lack of Vitamin E cause neuropathy?

A Neuropathy Patient wrote: (Permission granted to use the story.) “My neuropathy is caused by long term malabsorbtion of vitamin E. I saw a neurologist at Mayo Clinic, after years of “treatment” in my home town. The diagnosis was polyradiculoneuropathy with ataxia. Why do I not see more information about […]

Rock Guitar Legend Eric Clapton Reveals He Suffers from Peripheral Neuropathy

Rock Icon Eric Clapton Reveals He Has Peripheral Neuropathy

Guitar legend, Eric Clapton has told Classic Rock Magazine Peripheral Neuropathy makes playing guitar “hard work”. Clapton has had an unprecedented career including being ranked number 2 in a list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone; 17 Grammy Awards; and the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.

Doctor/Patient Relationships: Unlocking Doors

By understanding important elements of the Doctor/Patient relationship, patients can participate in unlocking barriers which too often prevent them from getting the most out of visits to a medical professional.

Guidelines for Veterans -VA Law – “Agent Orange and Peripheral Neuropathy”

Note: You may find all this information somewhat overwhelming. Therefore do not hesitate to give a copy of this document to a Service Officer from one of the veterans’ organizations. You will help educate them and give them more tools to help you. One of the most important items in […]

Top Twenty Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Each person’s experience varies depending on their type of Neuropathy, but in general following are the most common Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy: 1) Severe strange pains in your feet, legs, hands and other parts of the body; including “crawling insects” under your skin; 2) Balance is difficult when walking, getting […]

Small Fiber Neuropathy

Many neuropathy patients have heard these words, “Your EMG and Nerve Conduct Studies are normal meaning you do not have neuropathy.” Right? Wrong. Dr. Norman Latov of Cornell University states clearly along with many other professionals that the EMG and Nerve Conduct Studies only measure damage to the large fibers. […]

I Have Neuropathy – So Why Are My Tests Normal?

Being a patient with CIDP/Autonomic PN for over 45 years due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, this is a subject with which I have a lot of hard earned experience. So, let me be clear. The over two hundred doctors I saw for my symptoms from 1969 to […]

Fatigue in Peripheral Neuropathy

Unfortunately fatigue is a central part of many neuropathies and especially the immune mediated neuropathies. It is central to many other chronic illnesses that affect the body’s immune system. The causes are often complex and many. Dr. Scott Berman, in his book Coping with Chronic Neuropathy notes in chapter VIII “Dealing with Fatigue […]

RONALD BERG - December 24, 2019:
No naval list of ships exposed to agent orange in the gulf [...]

LtCol Eugene B Richardson, USA (Retired) BA, MDiv, EdM, MS - September 19, 2016:
To answer your question, YES. We will send you information direct [...]

LtCol Eugene B Richardson, USA (Retired) BA, MDiv, EdM, MS - September 19, 2016:
Roger: Most neuropathies from drinking beer is due more to poor [...]

LtCol Eugene B Richardson, USA (Retired) BA, MDiv, EdM, MS - September 19, 2016:
A normal EMG is only one test that must be done to [...]

LtCol Eugene B Richardson, USA (Retired) BA, MDiv, EdM, MS - September 19, 2016:
Mary Ann: This is a sign of autonomic neuropathy. However [...]