I thought this was such an informative article about two of my issues I thought I would post it and hope it helps others too, it does explain it to me why I feel the way I do. Sometimes I need that.

Top 10 Peripheral Neuropathy & Sjögren’s Facts:

1. Recognize that neuropathic pain is a chronic disease. Just as most causes of neuropathies and neuropathic pain in Sjögren’s do not come on suddenly, reduction of neuropathic pain can take a while.  

2. Initial and predominant neuropathies in Sjögren’s can occur anywhere in the feet, thighs, hands, arms, torso and/or face.

3. Many different symptomatic therapies for neuropathic pain are available. Both physician and patient awareness of potential benefits and side-effects can help tailor an appropriate approach.

4. While the class of tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs) often constitutes a first-line tier of therapy in other neuropathy syndromes, the TCAs can increase mouth and eye dryness and therefore are not routinely used as front-line therapies in most Sjögren’s patients.

5. Electrophysiologic tests may help in the diagnosis of neuropathies affecting larger nerves which are coated by an insulator called myelin. However, neuropathies affecting smaller-fiber nerves that lack this myelin coating cannot be detected with these tests.

6. Special diagnostic tests, including the technique of superficial, punch skin biopsies (small biopsies of three millimeters and not requiring any stitches), can help in the diagnosis.

7. A relatively rare neuropathy can cause significant weakness in Sjögren’s patients. In contrast to other neuropathies which develop slowly, this neuropathy can present with very abrupt-onset of weakness. This so-called “mononeuritis multiplex” occurs because the blood-flow through vessels which nourishes nerves is suddenly compromised.

8. In general, immunosuppressive medications are almost always warranted to treat “mononeuritis multiplex” neuropathy. In contrast, the role of immunosuppressives is not well-established in other neuropathies, including neuropathies that cause pain but are not associated with weakness.

9. Sjögren’s patients frequently wonder whether pain associated with a neuropathy means they are at an increased risk for more severe motor weakness. While there are exceptions, if weakness is not present at onset, it most likely will not occur.

10. Neuropathic pain can be alleviated and assuaged, although there may initially be a “trial-and-error” process with different and perhaps multiple agents.

The information from this post, provided by rheumatologist