Joe V's Medical Fund
Donation protected
My name is Joe Valocchi, I am 21 years old, and I was diagnosed with Small Fiber Neuropathy April '14.
SFN is a debilitating condition involving the disorder of peripheral nerves which primarily or exclusively affects small somatic fibers (skin, muscle), autonomic fibers (organs, involuntary funtions), or both, resulting in sensory changes and autonomic dysfunction when both types are involved.
In my case, it is both.
Somatic fibers are responsible for my feelings of burning, stabbing & aching pains, electric shock-like & pins-and-needles sensations, increase/decrease in sensations especially of heat/cold/pain, numbness & tingling. My arms, hands, legs and feet are primarily effected but it can happen all over the body as well.
Autonomic fibers so far have caused me to have difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, GI problems and discomfort, irregular heart rate, dizziness, dry mouth and eyes.
The most consistent symptoms so far, numbness/pain in the legs and feet as well as dizziness, has effected my ability to balance and I now have trouble walking. Because of this, I have had to begin the use of a cane.
There is no cure for the nerve damage, it can not be reversed, but I can potentially stop or slow future damage if we can discover what is causing it.
It had taken 8 months and many, many tests to finally discover I have SFN. However, this is only half of the diagnosis. We still have to figure out what is causing it. Which means more tests.
My fiancé and I are doing our best to bring in extra money, but it just isn't enough and we still need answers. The goal amount is a bit arbitrary. Even though it is set at a little over half of what we already owe, any amount raised would be beneficial and most welcome. Thank you so much for reading my story. We will post updates when they become available.
SFN is a debilitating condition involving the disorder of peripheral nerves which primarily or exclusively affects small somatic fibers (skin, muscle), autonomic fibers (organs, involuntary funtions), or both, resulting in sensory changes and autonomic dysfunction when both types are involved.
In my case, it is both.
Somatic fibers are responsible for my feelings of burning, stabbing & aching pains, electric shock-like & pins-and-needles sensations, increase/decrease in sensations especially of heat/cold/pain, numbness & tingling. My arms, hands, legs and feet are primarily effected but it can happen all over the body as well.
Autonomic fibers so far have caused me to have difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, GI problems and discomfort, irregular heart rate, dizziness, dry mouth and eyes.
The most consistent symptoms so far, numbness/pain in the legs and feet as well as dizziness, has effected my ability to balance and I now have trouble walking. Because of this, I have had to begin the use of a cane.
There is no cure for the nerve damage, it can not be reversed, but I can potentially stop or slow future damage if we can discover what is causing it.
It had taken 8 months and many, many tests to finally discover I have SFN. However, this is only half of the diagnosis. We still have to figure out what is causing it. Which means more tests.
My fiancé and I are doing our best to bring in extra money, but it just isn't enough and we still need answers. The goal amount is a bit arbitrary. Even though it is set at a little over half of what we already owe, any amount raised would be beneficial and most welcome. Thank you so much for reading my story. We will post updates when they become available.
Organizer
Joe Valocchi
Organizer
