Small Fiber Painful Axonal Neuropathy Profile

[WorldlyPatriot]

Re: Small Fiber Painful Axonal Neuropathy Profile.

My neurologist ordered this test today. It's too late to call my insurance company to see if it's covered. I'm concerned it's extraordinarily expensive since the turnaround time after drawing blood is seven to 14 days.

Also, I was DIRECTED to have the test done at a place called Athena Diagnostics. Does anyone know if other companies also perform this test reliably? I'm not cheap, I'm just a bit skeptical when anyone DIRECTS me to a lab that just happens to be two floors below my neurologist's office.

Any info on the test and alternative labs who may perform this analysis is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Nana4&cntn]

When I Googled the Neuropathy test, Athena Diagnosis came up as the 2nd post. It appears they do testing from across the US, and provide shipping instructions. You may be inn the best place possible.

Take care,
Kathy

[Kathi49]

Worldly Patriot,

I hope I am not too late posting this. I had Athena Diagnostics come to my home (my Neurologist also ordered more testing). A rep just came out and took blood and that was it. But, yes, they are VERY RELIABLE but expensive. My insurance covered ALL of it.

[anwise67]

In this blood test are they looking at any and all possible causes of Small Fiber Painful Axonal Neuropathy? I had a epidermal biopsy which showed this same damage. Have you already had the epidermal biopsy? Just intrested b/c I am in a fight with my employer for workman's comp. I was a chemist for 5 years in a state gov. lab that did not have to answer to osha or any other regulatory office. They keep bringing up that 1/3 of all cases are idiopathic. I definitely would like to know as much as possible about this before I possible lose my insurance.
Thanks, Allie

[Kathi49]

Allie,

I had alot of bloodwork done by my Neurologist first. But she said that Athena does even more sophisticated testing. You can call Athena and ask specifically what that testing covers. I never had the skin biopsy done or nerve biopsy because it just wasn't necessary. My Neurologist would have done it but it would have just shown if I had small fiber PN or not. So, being that I was also termed idiopathic...I just let it go at that. There was never a cause found and ALL testing was normal. So, as of last summer she changed the diagnosis from small fiber PN to Central Pain Syndrome based on my history and because of the fact that no cause was ever found. In any case, IF it were idiopathic, the only thing I can or could do was to manage the symptoms. You may be different in that a cause might be found. I wish you well with this. You might even want to post on the PN forum here...alot of the people there are very helpful.