...It is the same doctor that is treating me. When I went to see a neurologist that specializes in sleep disorders (when things had totally broken down and sleep was all sorts of broken because of the pain I was in), the attending came in to get an overview and he's a big name doctor. I had originally tried to see him but he was booking out 4 months and I couldn't wait so I took the first available. Anyway, he came in and said it sounded more neurological than RLS and referred me back to the original neuro for follow up.

When I suggested to him that maybe I shouldn't go back to her since she missed the dx, he (in my mind) overly defended her indicating that there is definite overlap in the symptoms between the two, yada, yada, yada. I've since read up in some places that this is true so it's not like he was lying. I just didn't appreciate the sticking up for the other doctor--which I've also seen from other doctors. Maybe it's fear of lawsuits but I think it is not often possible to get an honest opinion out of a doctor in regards to another doctor!

So, I had a neuropathy specialist all identified to go to but I figured I'd hang on with the original one for a bit to see if now that RLS was ruled out the rx's got any better and the first one we tried was lyrica. Since she believes my pain and has no issue with the vicodin usage, I was also hesitant to just drop her. I didn't think I could show up at some new doctor's office and say, hey, I've got SFSN, I think. Can you help me and also give me vicodin?

I go back to this neuro in Jan and am going to ask her about the punch hole test and see what she thinks. Maybe if she thinks otherwise, I line up the appt with the specialist...I do like that this isn't a critical decision and that I can take my time with it. It's so very unlike everything else lately medical-wise where it is mission critical.