well 4 yrs,3 prim drs,2 neuro,2 rheumotologists and i think i finally found a dr who actually might bring closer to a diagnoses.hi my name is kathy and im new here.i guess my troubles started 4 yrs ago with an unexplained sore throat which progressed to neck pain,rushed to er-they thought i had meningitis-i didnt-leg pain started a few days later-excrutiating pain in both legs.mind you this really started about 6 yrs ago with my big toe going numb for about a yr and i kept losing my balance.4 yrs later and my legs hurt so bad it criples me,i fall into walls,chairs,people whatever is there,muscle twitches and spasms,hyperreflexes,supposed carpal tunnel-had the surgery for it,but arm still goes numb,trouble regulating body temp-husband gets mad when i open windows in 20 degree temps.lol.i have major memory issues,but neurosurgeon attributes that to the mass in my pinneal gland in my brain.i had ant cervical fusion in june b/c of car accident in 12/05.i seen a new neurologist on monday and after taking a thorough history and some tests,shes leaning towards pn-wants nerve cond tests and vascular studies.sorry so long.finally a dr who doesnt look at you and shrug-i dont think they want to do the work involved with dxing you,unless it hits them in the face.this dr seems real on top of things.ive been ruled out for lyme 3x's,lupus 2x's,rheum arthritis,thyroid,ms, and in 4 yrs no one mentioned pn.im hoping by coming on this board i can meet some new friends and maybe get some insight.thanks for listening.oh i also was on tramadol for 4 yrs and by far was the best med until recently-i was up to 200mg 2x's a day(400mg) total.i also had taken neurontin which did nothing except make me sleepy and klonopin,same side effects.my primary dr just started me on methadone(i thought it was just for people weaning from heroin)i take 10mg 2x's a day and so far is working better than the tramadol. thanks