Wow! You ARE smart. Thanks very much for sharing that treasure trove of knowledge. People like you and some others who post/reply here are invaluable to the rest of us.

Sheltiemom

a very last resort? Many insurance companies these days don't cover their costs anymore due to the probabilities of infection, plus the total loss of nerve function in that nerve 'line'.
I'd discovered this over 5 years ago, upon seeing a 'new' neuro who was gung ho to do that sural biopsy.... I'd read lots, and It'd seemed I'd passed all the criteria for the treatments I was getting. Thing is? This neuro simply seemed too EAGER? Almost as if he wanted to 'get one' done before they couldn't 'be done' easily any more. This neuro referred me to his 'mentor', head of a local teaching hospital's neuro dept. And he questioned my treatments as well as my diagnosis. So I referred him to sources for diagnosis, stating that: Blood work, spinal tests, nerve conduction studies, history, MRI's, Ct's, and a few other aspects for diagnosis ...aside from a biopsy of any sort indicated my type of neuropathy... He wrote that 'new neuro' and sent me a copy of his conclusions. He'd agreed with me, having done his homework as well. BTW? I'm back to the neuro BEFORE this new guy! Wonder why?
While this is an old article? It's charts are pretty clear [and in line w/Liza Jane's lists] in terms of 'If This? Then Test THAT'. Ergo? IF it walks and quacks like a duck? It could be a goose, maybe? In part? You are going to have to be your own detective in narrowing down what you think you mite have... And then hope you and your doc can go in the same directions!
Then, don't forget? Docs change their minds daily about some things, and who knows why they do so? Sounds as if you've got a few other tests to go before getting to where you need to be for treatment! With out the most key of tests AT the times things 'started', and then progressed. There is No way you can truly find out CAUSE. Settle for good treatment that helps you get on with life! Hugs and hope! 's!!!!!! - j