to help determine what all is going on....

These issues about PN were brought up by NewsBot here a few days ago:
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/rapidpd...51010.a1v1.pdf
and: http://www.neurology.org/cgi/rapidpd...70511.0fv1.pdf

For immune related neuropathies here is a good site to explore:
http://www.cidpinfo.com/ Check out all the tabs/sub-sites here and read up.

I myself would have a skin biopsy done, and I can guess easily what the results would be. I would only allow a full sural biopsy IF and only IF it was the only way to prove things [no need to risk infection when...]. My immune work-ups from blood and spinal fluids, To the various nerve condction studies have always shown - yep! somthing is wrong here! So, so far there has been no need for the biopsies. Of course, with insurance companies etc... that could change any minit?

OK to back up a bit? Nerve conduction studies and blood tests are the START of possible further testings. Put in context? It's an IF this? Then That! sort of thing. Plus how diligent your docs are in seeking the best info to ease things a bit. Still all in all....treatments are usually limited to pain meds, anti-seizure meds, steroids, and very few other things that can help.
Key to all this is to change then maintain a good lifestyle that helps stop the pain progressions and aid the nerve regrowth as best as WE can. It can take a long time. Sometimes a very long time.
Sure hope this helps - j