Here are some Vit D suggestions:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

If you do not get outside and in the sun for a while each day, the general suggestion is to start at 2000IU daily.

But testing is really the way to go.

At the end of that thread, is a cardiologist's suggestion to limit calcium supplement when taking high dose D3. Since Vit D improves calcium absorption from food, I think his advice is good.
He is the first one I've seen on the net make that suggestion.
It is something to think about.

But very low Vit D is showing up frequently now, and estimates are 1/2 the US population is low. There are studies linking low D to chronic pain states, among other things.
(estimates for low magnesium are about 70% needing supplements in US)
Here is my supplement page with more info about D also:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread121683.html

--refers to a common pattern of onset of neuropathic symptoms in which the nerves at the farthest extremities of the body experience compromise first--these are farthest from the seat of circulation/respiration, and it takes more energy to transport nutrients/oxygen to them and remove wastes from them, so if there is some sort of difficulty in overall bodily circulation, as happens in diabetes and other ischemic conditions such as the anti-nuclear antibody autoimmunities, these nerves tend to be affected first, and if the conditon is unchecked, in time nerves closer to the body center begin to be affected, so the nerves seem to be "die-ing back".

Many people first report their neuropathies present in a "stocking-glove" distribution--first the toes are affected, then the feet, then the fingertips, then the calves, then the hands. This is a result of gradual die-back due to circulatory compromise.

The side effects I had with increasing were dizzy,nausea,pressure on my head like I have a tight hat on. As for the block. Is this a sympathetic nerve block? What doctor suggested this? Is he an anesestologist? Are you increasing neurontin weekly? See my block was for my RSD. It was not mentioned for PN and I rarely hear people who have PN have it. I am not saying you should or should not. With my doctors first was meds,then blocks,then more invasive. I have read though blocks work best early in treatment. So I don't know and of course it is a personal choice.

All,

I am having trouble locating my labs, but if all else fails I have a follow-up with the Podiatrist next week and will get copies.

mrsD, thanks for the Vit D info. I am now taking 2000 IUs daily. It looks like that will be a safe value. I tried an epsom salt soak last night but it is too soon to say if it will help.

glenntaj, thanks for the explanation on Length-dependent die-back. It gives me additional impetus to find a root cause. In particular, there is a strong history of maternal diabetes, so I want to be sure this is not somehow related, even though I have had my glucose levels checked twice in the last few years.

daniella, thanks for the symptoms. I sure hope I don't get those if I have to go to such a high dose. I am now going to a pain center. My main doc is an anesthesiologist will do what I believe is a sympathetic nerve block, because she said it might 'reset the sympathetic nerve chain'. She is the doc that was please I was taking B Complex and conceded 'no one knows what is the right levels'. It is also under this doc that I am taking the gabapentin. I'd say the 100 mg/day worked for about 2-3 weeks until we upped it to 200 mg/day. Its felt like it might be working for the last few days so we will so how long this lasts. So I guess I am proceeding the same way: meds first then nerve block. Glad to know that is how someone else has proceeded. I am okay with that for now.

DejaVu, thanks for the tip on inonic fizz magnesium. Where did you get it?

I also forgot to mention I tried LED light therapy and a steroid injection back when of course they thought this might be a mechanical problem. Neither did anything.

Finally, who orders a skin punch biopsy, and who should I speak to about RSD?

More to come...

Once again, thanks for all the great information. I am saying a silent prayer that your pain will be blunted, temporarily abated or even stop soon.

Ionic fizz is at iherb.com

It is also available at some Whole foods stores for more $$

The Ionic fizz Deja Vu mentions is not really Ionic Fizz.

I posted about Ionic Fizz on my magnesium thread a while back.

Natural Calm is magnesium citrate.

This is Ionic Fizz...
http://www.iherb.com/Pure-Essence-Io...42-g/3197?at=0

I bought my first canister at Whole Foods, which was 1/2 this size for $18 or so dollars.

The magnesium in Ionic Fizz is magnesium carbonate, not citrate as in the Calm product. I find magnesium citrate very laxative for me. People react differently to magnesium products with the laxative effect. Just don't buy Magnesium Oxide, as it is useless and only tiny amounts are absorbed, the rest goes thru you. It is sold as a laxative by Phillips now.