From the other test results you just reported, you seem to be undergoing at least some degree of inflammatory process. That, combined with the idea that you're feeling symptoms beyond your arms, and that the cervical MRI did not show a definite spinal cord compression or foraminal narrowing/nerve root compression (lost of disc height and osteophytic--bone spur--formation in the spine is very common as we age) would probably indicate that some sort of cervical spine/nerve root problem is not a primary generator of the symptoms.

Your B12 level and folate level are a bit lower than most of us would be comfortable with, even if the range is "normal" (and a lot of us think the ranges, especailly for B12, are set too low in the US compared with Europe/Japan)--are you taking any kind of supplementation now?

I'm specifically wondering about that elevated ACE level--neurosarcoidosis, though rare, can present as granulomas of the nerve tissue even without presence in the respiratory tract:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antib...op.htm#sarcoid

Feel free to tell us all you are comfortable with (and you can use private messaging if there are things you don't want the "public" to see).

I think just a chest Xray is not enough. Sarcoidosis can occur anywhere in the body.

You also have to get a firm diagnosis...because Vit D is contraindicated with sarcoidosis. If you get a test run and you are high without using supplements, that would be indicative too.

I've always had an mildly elevated ESR, but it never panned out with further autoimmune testing. Some people just have this, in the mild form. ( I have osteoarthritis, and my doctor thinks this is what raises the ESR).

Since you have periods of remission, I'd explore a viral cause.
The Herpes viruses do this, activate and sleep. You can have blood work showing antibody titres... and if high, perhaps a trial of antiviral will help you. You CAN have shingles pain, without vesicles. This virus activates in the presence of arginine, so if you consume high arginine foods, without balancing with lysine, you can activate Herpes.
http://www.herpes.com/Nutrition.shtml

Try some lysine daily ...starting at about 2 grams, and see what happens for you. If you start feeling better within a week, that would point you to viral testing. The Herpes family of viruses are very sneaky...hard to identify when they activate sometimes.

Thank you for the valuable information contained here. I have tried to download my copy of the spreadsheet but for some reason, I am unable to do so. Says it is an invalid file. Any suggestions? I want to provide you with as much info as I can. Again, thanks. (I also think I have some component of arthritis. When we are expecting rain, I can tell before the weather man announces it!! Bone pain like none other!! ) Sorry, I had to delete your url in order to reply but I have copied it and will read on it shortly.

I think you have to have a spreadsheet program on your computer to download that site.
Hubby says OpenOffice.org has free.
He has it on his laptop. (he says it is a large program, takes a while to load).

I have never been able to get it either on this machine.

Shoot. That would have made things so much easier. It is a wonderful spreadsheet......contains so much valuable information. If you can think of anything else, test wise, let me know and I will forward the results.

Might try copy & paste into a word document since that is one of the allowed documents. Never hurts to try.

Well, I did copy to a word document but now just one page is too large, exceeds the file allowable size. I am not a quitter, I will find a way to get the info to you if I have to copy and paste sections.

I tried just copying a section of the page and it is still too large of a file. Since I am at work, looks like I will have to quit until I find another way. Have a good day.

My husband says you can download OpenOffice.org for FREE.

Then you may be able to open that spreadsheet.

I am going to try and upload my files from the spreadsheet so you can spot something that I should have included. Don't know if this will work but will try.

For some reason it is indicating an invalid file. Don't know if the file is too big or what. I have tried to send each page separately but again not sure why it won't allow. Any suggestions? As always, thanks a million and hope you are having as good of a day as possible. (Sorry....I had to remove your URL link in order to be able to reply but I have saved it and will check it out.)

Am I correct in thinking that the skin biopsy for PN includes testing for sarcoidosis? I am sure that it includes amyloidosis and inflammation.

Here is the link for the testing lab where my biopsy was sent:

http://www.therapath.com/Overview.php

Mere.