Dorothy, I have to say that some of my thoughts about tests have to do with my sense of our messed up health care system. In the old days, when boys were boys and men were men (for all you guys who do it 3x/xxxxxx), doctors accepted that the history the patient gave, combined with physical exam, were enough to make a diagnosis. There are lots of times that doesn't work, and advanced technology is necessary, but there are times when it does work, and most of us illustrate that. Most of us have decreased sensation, and when the doctors test us, it shows.

But even if we have significant findings, we will get nerve conductions to make sure of the exact diagnosis. Once we know what we've got, I see little reason for repeating the electrodiagnostic studies.

If you feel your neuropathy is improving, then you probably have more sensation. A doctor could tell that with a pinprick test, or testing light touch. Reflexes that were gone might be a little brisker. And, you know, you're improving. The studies will lag behind the findings, and the findings are what you notice. And they cost a lot of health care dollars.

So, I'd say, if you think you are getting better, that's good enough.

I'm sure my neuropathy has improved over the past 7 years. My tests were done in 2000, and again in 2005, and were the same. But that doesn't change the fact that I have gotten a lot better. My body tells the truth.