I will keep everyone posted with any new outcomes or surprises... You all have been very kind!

Has your doc done any lung x-rays? DUH? What about basic CMP[Complete metabolic panel] or CBC [Complete Blood Panel]? Plus urine tests? Any doc should could start there and do follow-ups for any basic protocols!
I'd had both blood tests and the urine tests during and long after my pneumonia. I was on antibiotics for over 2 months! Then got the neuropathies. The CBC should have been done BEFORE prescribing anti-biotics? Ask to get copies of your medical tests only for the last few [as needed] months If they aren't there? Think about changing docs if you can.
To back things up further? See if you can get to a dermatologist [skin doc] and I"ll bet they do the tests needed? PLUS get you salves and potions you need to help you with your rash until you get diagnosed! Call first thing tomorrow, as they're as hard to latch onto than neurologists? But, if you ask for and get in on a cancellation? Once you're IN? You are IN! Good luck, and geesh! I'm feeling sort of itchy myself now! Hugs!!!'s - j

Hey yall! I have a New GP apt, as I told you guys before I fired my old GP because she just wouldn't listen, and the final straw was when she sent back my FMLA paper work BLANK!!! So I called the HR for the Hospital and and got my needed paper work filled out and I hope got some reprimanding for her, any who, I see the new doctor today, and I got moved up 10 days earlier to get in to see my Rheumy! All great news, and hopefully I can start digging more into what it is that I got.... once again thank you so much for all your support, I never knew I had this fiestyness in me!!

Yes, you must keep that 'feistiness' or nothing will happen.
You complained about your EX-doc in the best way one can, bad-mouthing some docs to other docs isn't productive [after all? They mite be golfing pals].
My line for changing is usually 'We didn't communicate that well.' and leave it at that...unless suggested to go to that doc again. About one, when I'd gotten that suggestion? I quietly replied: 'Only over my dead body'. Dislike was conveyed and duly noted.
After learning a heap of good information from folks here and a lot of reading, I've learned that some docs simply don't even try those extra steps or tests to eliminate the hundreds of neuro possibilities for such miseries. I was lucky on my second try, and it's saved my life.
With specialists? Once you go thru that first waiting period? And evaluations? YOU ARE IN!!!
Don't talk about your fears and emotions as such at first tho? Just think really hard and write out in a time-line, what all has happened to you, then when it happened, who you saw, and try and remember what tests you have had-and which docs ordered them. [This last part is the worst! I'd found I could back track via my checkbook and medical plan Explanation of Benefits {what the insurance had paid}] Once YOU write this down? You will be surprised at how much info you really have gathered together about YOU over your times with these problems starting to now.
The scariest part is the fear of IT [whatever it is?] getting worse then even more so! The hope you must keep is that there ARE good docs out there who DO listen and try to help.
I'm crossing my fingers that this Rheumy and you will be able to talk and get tests done. Be prepared for a possible BUNCH of tests to be done soon, fast and furiously. GET THEM DONE! Sooner the better-starting out on a new medical roller-coaster ride for sure. I've been on four 'rides' in the 6+ years since I started my neuropathy? And the more I learn, the more I find I need to learn more!
Let us know what's happening, and don't EVER give up! 's - j

Be sure to have your new doctor check for sarcoidosis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcoidosis

okay so now I am about as confused as confused can get, since the last time I have chatted on here I was really excited that I was able to get into the Rhummy 10 days earlier.... Well I was hoping FINALLY we are going to find out what the heck is going on with me..... I didn't..... and to make things more complicated I was told the new test that were done, a chest xray, thyroid test, urinalysis and another lupus check were all NEGATIVE and the stumper is, they did another ANA test and it came out NEGATIVE!!! I have also been sent to a dermatoligist about all of these rashes.... I do not know the results of these yet, they did a biopsy on some of my rashes and this was not a pleasent procedure it left me with a chunk of tissue missing and 3 stitches....... I went today for Pulmonary lung test, and the lady that was doing the test said they are a little on the low side of things.... but still has to send these test she gathered to the Rhummy for anaylising ... I think I am just going to give up, Im so tierd of this whole health thing going on and being told my blood is SQUEAKY clean - and this wouldn't be a bad thing if I was feeling normal or myself in fact it would be GREAT news! I was almost hoping they would find something ... but now Im starting to think its in my head.... Im so very depressed now....

Tho, not necessarily the ones that you want NOW[!!!] Do keep in mind, that unfortunately some immune issues don't show up in current blood tests for 6-12 months AFTER you've been 'attacked' w/something auto-immune...should it be that. I only make that qualification, because, I'm not a doc...just someone who has been thru the whole medical 'processes' for several different issues over the last few years and feel, you should know..? I'm no doc, just a patient, like you who goes thru a LOT!
You have to stick to your guns!
GO! Get any and all tests done that you can!!!! Why? You've got to eliminate as much as possible of ever so many neuro issues! Some are nasty? Others are nastier, even some can be life threatening. Therefore--that 'red alert' bell or whatever that is telling you to PANIC! Just mite be rite. Tho it's easier to succumb to the panic and just give up. Go get testing, go up and down the diagnostic avenues and get revenge by getting diagnosed...then? Ideally some treatments or relief.
Since I got my 'neuropathy'? I've been diagnosed with certainty with at least 3-4 other neuro or other issues that can affect the neuro systems. It happens? I'm not 'lucky' or 'special', per-se, just did not beat those rare #'s odds. My approach is to 'get that revenge' by knowing as much as what is going on with me, how it mite happen [there's LOTS they have no clue about] and what can and can't be done about IT all.
Every nite, I go to sleep and 'wish' that I'll wake up with 'IT' gone. It's not. So, I make do as best I can, with what I have, and try to learn more and hope that better treatments AND diagnosis procedures can and will be inplace in my lifetime!
GO GET THOSE TESTS! Please! Why? If you don't? Who knows what mite happen? As Long as you've got your BRAIN? You can be a truly functional person! Better to have the brain than not. No? [Meds aside, of course] 's - j

Well I have a truly amazing GP who listens and is not going to give up till we find out whats going on with me. This I thank her for! My dermatoligist put me on a baterial medication for this ugly rash, it seems as though they are drying out and disapearing, I just hope they stay away for good when the meds run out. My last 3 Dr. and specialist visits yeilded a high heart rate, so dr ordered an EKG, to verify and yes its high so now i go for a ultra sound thingy so they can look at how my heart is beating to see why my rate has been spiking, I also have an order to see a pulumary lung specialist to exam my lungs further. I have been put through the specialist wringer but this is okay i guess, some test are showing that its not all in my head, and although I am sure I am a long way away from knowing what my problem is, I am closer??? I have also gained 12 pounds in 1 month, but we know its not my thyroid as we tested that.... and it was fine, so they say... Iam not eating anymore, Im actually eating less ....? All of you have been great! And thank you so much for the time you have shared with me! I will update you as I go....

That you've gotten a doc behind you? That is not only amazing, but GREAT!!!!
Be sure to say 'THANK YOU THANK YOU' often and with feeling. Good docs run on such fuel and it is well deserved. Yes testing can be and mostly is...a long drawn out process - mainly trying to zero in on WHAT your problems are, but also eliminating hundreds plus of other possible neuro issues.
Take a look at this web site to help you get a handle on all docs look for!
http://www.neuroexam.com/ Knowing what they do to you and why helps make the whole process easier. The why doesn't hurt either.
I've had similar lung tests to yours [I think] and the only discomfort is some soreness from the tube down the throat. Usually? They knock you out, give you post test instructions afterwards and tell you you're likely to live and wait for the 'results' - usually a week to 10+/- days after the test. WAITING is usually the worst part. Patience is best employed here. IF after 2 weeks? You don't get any WORD? Call, and keep calling!
Specialists? I've got so many I can't keep track of them any more! But I've got a LIST of them! The ones that I see 'every 3 months' are my key docs? I'm long overdue to see my GP! Am I worried? No.
Buttercup? After my pneumonia bout? I didn't have much appetite either! So? I ate what I liked, what I could tolerate, and what I knew I needed. There are times when Jello and puddings can be good food! They go down easy and have 'some' nutritional value. Anything that can be tolerated? Even Ice Cream! Go for it! Of course? Cholesterol mite be an issue? But what's that compared to starving? If it goes down easy, and stays down? GOOD for now. Discuss this with your docs as you get further along with what all is happening. See what diet mite be best for you & supplements as well.
Keep hope and faith in yourself! Get help sooner rather than later! Faster they get to the 'Problem'? Sooner other problems can be avoided.
Hugs and hope in heaps!!!!!!!! 's!!!!!!!!!!! - j