Thanks to everyone for their support and feedback ... your comments have been most helpful and supportive. And a real serendipity!

Dahlek had an interesting question about my last post ... asking whether I was cold or hot during the nerve conduction tests. I hadn't thought about it before, but I was warm during the first test (02/20/06) and it was much cooler during the 06/06/07 test. My wife who, is a real authority on cold temperatures, verified this. Do you think that might explain the differences?

The cancer possibility as a PN cause, is also very interesting. But, so far, I think we've been able to keep the cancer from metastasizing (invading the bones) ... although I'm not sure if that completely eliminates the possibility. The cancer treatment, Hormone Therapy (ADT), is not really considered chemotherapy but it might very well be a factor, since it has numerous side effects, including osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and muscculoskeletal pain. (One of the other side effects is that I now enjoy going shopping with my wife) But seriously, Hormone therapy coupled with the spinal damage might even be more of a factor. But who knows?

Anyway, learning that the same neural symptoms can stem from damage to peripheral as well as from spinal damage, (from Glenntaj and Rose) certainly covered one of my big blind spots.

Like some of you, I also believe that a lot of these docs don't have a clue when it comes to the new techniques and drugs available. I've found this very true in the treatment of my spine problems and in the treatment of my peripheral neuropathy. Either they don't know, don't care, or are too damn busy to answer your questions. And my old uro doc, is a good example of this ... like when he told us there wasn't much more available when my ADT started to fail. Fortunately we found a great medical oncologist who looks like she's getting things straightened out.

Maybe someone can help with this ... I've been trying to talk with someone who has, or is presently using this Spinal Cord Stimulation treatment or maybe find some test material. it's an implant like a pacemaker placed in the lower back with wire running up the spine. Electrical impulses then block pain signals before they reach the brain.

Guess I'd better stop now, it looks like I'm in a rambling again!

There were a lot of other kind words and comments I didn't acknowledge ... but to all of you, thanks so much.

gerry