Thanks MrsD - just looked up your profile - 25,000 posts!!! Wow. You should call yourself WonderWoman.

I am in my early 60's, onset of my problem has been quite rapid, Four months ago I could walk 1-2km quite OK, now on crutches and do not walk more than 100metres. I am overweight but now drastically improving my diet, losing weight slowly but surely. (height 6'3" was 134kg, now 122kg) - but much more to lose yet.

My feet are constantly burning, have electric-like shocks through my big toe, and the base of my toes feel red-raw, like there is no skin on them. Currently on 150mg Lyrica twice a day, and thats ok if I don't walk around too much. My best pain relief is bathing my feet in cold water for about half an hour in the evening, then bliss!!

My local doctor, called a GP (General Practitioner) in Australia, has tested for diabetes, c-reactive protein, iron studies, cumulative electrolytes (serum), liver function, red & white cells and platelets, vitamin C, vitamin D, Vitamin B12, c-peptide, and insulin. All considered normal except my insulin level is marginal - hence his stern direction to lose weight. My B12 is 368 pg/ml, a little low by your suggested standards, but considered ok in Australia where 200 - 1000 is classed as normal. I have read your B12 thread and take your comments and suggestions on board THANKS!!!!. Have also had MRI scans on lower back, quite a bit a wear where the feet nerves exit the spine, but unlikely to be causing the pains according to a specialist neurosurgeon.

Compared to many of your forum members, my current condition is mild - if I start feeling a little sorry for myself, I just read about the chronic pain experienced others on this site and give myself a kick in the pants (literally that is!!)

My current aim is to find what is causing the deterioration of my condition - my doctor has come to the end of his knowledge and has referred me to a neurologist, who conducted an EMG test, tersely told me I have neuropathy, then promptly left the room. He is totally disinterested and it requires several emails to get a response to conduct further tests. I am desperate to find a knowledgeable and experienced neurologist in my State of Western Australia - hence my post "Neurologists in Australia" a few days ago hoping for suggestions from members. I have a couple of leads to follow up. One of the great things today with the internet, consultations can take place over the web via Skype and other technology, so your neurologist can he thousands of km away, even in another country! As is it I have an 800km round trip to visit the neurologist, leaving at 4.30am and arriving home at 10pm.

Thanks MrsD (WonderWoman)