Why is peripheral neuropathy so difficult to deal with from a neurologists point of view?

Is it because there has not really been enough research done on it or because there are not really marvellous treatment modes in place? I would have thought from a diagnostic angle that the 'Algorithms' paper for instance, shows quite a methodical way of eliminating the various causes. In the future I'm sure we'll see that that list is far from complete, which of course will reveal where our current diagnostic dilemma arises.

However even with a list of defined causes of PN it seems that neurologists just pick and choose what they consider worthy of testing. For instance if they consider that you have not had undue exposure to toxic metals then they don't do heavy metal testing. But what if I for example was eating everyday off imported crockery, that had heavy lead or mercury content? Do these kinds of evaluations get checked during importation procedures and if not, the consumer would be blissfully unaware of their exposure?

Likewise for diabetes testing once PN is established! Why does a particular neurologist decide not to do a GTT? Is it because a patient doesn't look like they would have diabetes or glucose intolerance? How can they be sure?

I realise that the field of neurology is extensive (and obviously quite elusive) but I find it hard to understand why so many people have similar negative experiences with neurologists. If a doctor has specialty training in a field such as neurology why don't they know their stuff?

So often it seems that they leave the patient feeling that their symptoms are invalid by sending them on their way totally directionless. If it is beyond them why don't they refer the patient on to either another neurologist who may be more specialist in their patient's particular symptom expression or another specialty altogether if that is warranted. Why do they leave you dumped at a time when you often feel too unwell to fight for yourself?

.....and being a true Libran I can see two sides of the story! Of course every time you sit in any doctors waiting room you see the endless stream of humanity pouring in with their little problems so I suppose the doctors get pretty disillusioned themselves sometimes - lol! They probably think to themselves "get out of my room you twit, all your test results are normal, you're not dying, let me get on with the serious stuff" .....and that is the way it certainly comes across sometimes!