L2L,

Thank you for your input. I WAS taking neurontin on a consistant basis, 1200mg a day, until my throat suddenly stopped working at the beginning of August. I couldn't swallow anything at all for a month. So when I slowly started to recover from that, I hadn't regained full function, but about 75-80%, which made me a bit nervous about going back on the neurontin on a full-time basis. I had been fortunate the first time, and hadn't had any ill effects from stopping it suddenly, but I'm leery about taking that chance, as I have 2 small children to care for. I had been taking neurontin for about a year before the throat went haywire, so I would tend to lean towards it not being a side effect, but am thankful for the thought. I am not taking any other medication right now, but am looking into trying peppermint oil to try and help with, what I suspect may be esophageal spasms (causing the dysphagia).

Chewable vitamins aren't much of an option either, since even when you chew them, you swallow them in little chunks, which don't go down. Liquid vitamins are definately a viable option though, and I'll have to look into them.

I do completely understand that 1) we could easily be dealing with a combination of illnesses, which will take time to sort out, and 2) tests, in and of themselves are unlikely to give conclusive, definitive answers. I asked my PCP about an EMG, and she felt that if it was warranted, my neuro would have ordered it. We've talked a bit about LP's, and she's willing to do one, if I want her to, but she doesn't think it will contain any answers, so I have put that on the back burner for now, but left it open so that if I choose to, at a later time, I'll ask her for it.

Frankly, I'm at my wit's end now. I'm ready to make an appointment to see my neurologist, and give him an choice: "treat me, or pass me on to someone who will". I have a PCP that I LOVE, but I'm done with all this. As it stands right now, I have a psych eval on friday "just to gain a different perspective", and that's it. Nothing else planned, at all, which is very frustrating. This all started 2 years ago, with a shock-like feeling in my left leg, and over 2 years I have made a slow progression to here.

I'm sorry, I'm ranting. I am just coming undone at the seams here, and starting to feel desperate.

Thank you everyone for your input and thoughts!

Christine