Can people with Small Fiber Neuropathy work? What kind of work can they perform?

See how people with experience in Small Fiber Neuropathy give their opinion about whether people with Small Fiber Neuropathy can work and what kind of jobs are more appropriated for people with Small Fiber Neuropathy

Can people with Small Fiber Neuropathy work?

Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) is a condition that affects the small nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system. These fibers are responsible for transmitting sensory information, such as pain and temperature, from the skin to the brain. When these fibers are damaged or dysfunctional, it can lead to a range of symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling, and sensitivity to touch.

Given the chronic nature of SFN and its impact on daily functioning, many individuals with this condition may wonder if they can continue working. The ability to work with SFN largely depends on the severity of symptoms, the specific job requirements, and the individual's overall health and functional abilities.

1. Symptom management: The first step in determining whether someone with SFN can work is to effectively manage their symptoms. This may involve a combination of medications, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and pain management techniques. By working closely with healthcare professionals, individuals can find strategies to alleviate symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

2. Job flexibility: The type of work someone with SFN can perform depends on the specific symptoms they experience and the physical demands of the job. Jobs that require prolonged standing, walking, or heavy lifting may be challenging for individuals with SFN, as these activities can exacerbate pain and discomfort. However, jobs that allow for frequent breaks, changes in position, and accommodations for physical limitations can be more suitable.

3. Sedentary or desk jobs: Many individuals with SFN find that sedentary or desk jobs are more manageable due to their limited physical demands. These types of jobs typically involve tasks such as administrative work, data entry, customer service, writing, or computer programming. With appropriate accommodations, such as ergonomic equipment and regular breaks to alleviate discomfort, individuals with SFN can often perform these jobs effectively.

4. Remote or flexible work: Remote work or jobs with flexible schedules can be particularly beneficial for individuals with SFN. This allows them to work from the comfort of their own home, reducing the need for commuting and minimizing exposure to environmental factors that may worsen symptoms. Additionally, flexible work arrangements enable individuals to adapt their work schedule to their fluctuating symptoms, allowing for better self-care and symptom management.

5. Vocational rehabilitation: For individuals with SFN who are unable to continue in their previous line of work, vocational rehabilitation programs can provide valuable support. These programs offer career counseling, job training, and assistance in finding suitable employment options that align with an individual's abilities and limitations.

6. Self-employment: Some individuals with SFN may choose to pursue self-employment or start their own business. This allows for greater flexibility in managing symptoms and adapting work tasks to individual capabilities. However, it is important to carefully consider the demands and potential risks associated with self-employment, as it may require additional physical and mental effort.

7. Workplace accommodations: It is crucial for individuals with SFN to communicate their needs to their employers and request reasonable accommodations. This may include modifications to the work environment, flexible scheduling, the use of assistive devices, or adjustments to job tasks. By working collaboratively with employers, individuals with SFN can create a supportive work environment that enables them to perform their job effectively.

8. Emotional support: SFN can have a significant impact on an individual's emotional well-being. It is important for individuals with SFN to seek emotional support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or counseling services. By addressing the emotional aspects of living with SFN, individuals can better cope with the challenges of work and maintain a positive mindset.

In conclusion, whether individuals with Small Fiber Neuropathy can work depends on various factors such as symptom management, job flexibility, and individual capabilities. Sedentary or desk jobs, remote work, vocational rehabilitation, self-employment, and workplace accommodations are potential options for individuals with SFN. It is essential for individuals to work closely with healthcare professionals, communicate their needs to employers, and seek emotional support to effectively manage their condition and maintain employment.

Diseasemaps

Disclamer, I hold a disgnosis, not a medical degree.

It truly depends on the person, the degree of symptoms, treatments and what may be the cause.
In my opinion, short answer - No. A standard wake up early and get to word job isn't feasible. Many have issues sleeping, and the pain is there prior to stepping out of bed. a nonstandard type of job might work - no set hours, no commute, and only happens in the fake world of craigslist spam ad's existed then yes.

Posted Sep 29, 2018 by Brian 1350

People’s ability to work with Small Fiber Neuropathy is based on the cause and severity of their neuropathy. In some cases it is an annoyance where people can continue their original line of work. In other cases where dexterity as with a surgeon or painter is needed, hand numbness would interfere and where stamina is needed such as a cashier, orthostatic intolerance would interfere. As seated desk job or remote home job with flexible hours may work best for some. Others who have acute onset debilitating progressive small fiber neuropathy as is seen with TS-HDS or FGFR3 antibodies may not be able to work at all.

Posted Jul 12, 2021 by Jo 3150

I was disabled from Jury Duty and 99.99% of work outside the home in 1990 because of anxiety disorders that are a logical result of so much pressure on your body for decades.

Everyone is different. Apparently of the 1 / 1,000,000 people with SFPN, very few have Severe Rhinitis flu symptoms. These made it necessary to have very flexible jobs and work from home for years on my own ever-changing schedule. HIDING your illnesses is a challenge.

However, in my case, at age 45, the Autonomic Nerve Losses of my Esophagus, Stomach and Intestines made any work impossible. At that point I was hoping to die in my sleep. No such luck. Prior to that I had diminishing abilities from 18 to 45 that depended on quality of weather (dry, not too hot, CLEAR, as well as consistent). I moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco as it was an air-conditioned city but since 2003 and especially 2013 the humidity there is dramatically higher with the warming Pacific. You can confirm this via NOAA and keep in mind that the Trump Admin defunded it for 4 years so that period of knowledge was greatly lost.

I WOULD SAY THAT WORK AT WHAT YOU CAN AND SAVE AND PLAN THAT YOU WILL BE FULLY DISABLED SOON. SFPN was not "discovered" when I was in my early years of illness and and in my 40s it was not discussed by most Neurologists who were not even open signing the extra paperwork to sending me to Harvard, a process that took me over 6 years.

KEEP RECORDS OF ALL YOUR MEDICAL VISITS AND DIAGNOSES (EVEN THE WRONG ONES) IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AS YOU WILL HAVE TO PROVE TO THE FEDERAL USA GOVT YOU ARE DISABLED AT SOME POINT. IN MY CASE, I HAD 200O PAGES OF SUB-ILLNESS INFORMATION BUT NOT THE EXPLANATION (EVEN WITH THE POSITIVE BIOPSY 2 YEARS PRIOR TO MY HEARING) AS TO WHY I HAD SO MANY ILLNESSES. THIS ALLOWED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DENY ME THE INCOME AND HEALTH INSURANCE (MEDICARE VS MEDICAID) FOR WHICH I PAID TAXES.

In those days "SFPN" was NOT listed in most hospital computers. NOW it is listed and if you have it you should be able to recognized as fully and progressively disabled. With that designation from the FEDERAL Government you can get off welfare from the States and you can still work when/if you are able with no loss of income or health care. With Medicaid you can NOT go back and say, "here is the 100% proof you overlooked or we didn't have."

Posted Feb 3, 2022 by Mark 2000