Too bad you couldn't have this guy as your neuro. He sounds like a very knowledgable dr. Not to mention compassionate. I hope Mrs. D and Glenn can shed some light on the type of testing he suggested to you.

Here is a link about sodium channel gene involvement with inherited erythromelalgia. I have erythromelalgia, but not the inherited kind, which ususally has onset before age 20. My PCP thinks that the erythromelalgia is causing my all over burning, but I'm not too sure, will be asking the new neuro I'm seeing tomorrow.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18060017

Going to different docs? Can be a political 'mine field' in terms of professional egos and reputations. PUT that aside? If one doc asks you about another? Say SIMPLY: I'd like a second, different, fresh opinion, and or: 'We didn't really communicate/connect so well'. LEAVE it at that...therefore YOU have no minefields to navigate!
Say I truly WANT to know what's going on, and to maintain some quality of life better than what I have NOW!
Get the doc to work for YOU, not you for him!
Being honestly blunt here? Or docs will get together at their 'gatherings' and say 'OH, THAT ONE... Drug seeking, or real?' Get my drift? And, at such affairs they can be worse than stereotypes in the gossip and vague generalities categories...to our detrement! Just keep asking, and asking better and more astute questions from all you've learned here...on up the medical evaluation food chain! You mite actually hit GOLD! I've done it a couple of times, and am soo relieved that I did get lucky! Just don't give UP!
HOPE AND GOOD THINGS SOON! - j 's

Love the way you suggest to talk to new doctors. I'll be using that at my new appointment tomorrrow! Good advise. I work in dentistry and I know how easy they all think we are drug seekers and how quickly they all think we are nuts...because I see dentists doing it too. Its such a game to get them to take us seriously.....isn't that sad.

I said 'we don't communicate well' to the second neuro I was getting an opinion from. I outlined what was working and what was not [I was NOT internet wise at the time? Just followed instinct?] And got someone who said: I think we can help you. I cried in relief all the way home! Who wouldn't?
Every single hospital I've been to since...for surgery or emergencies? If I am admitted they are always paging FOR that 'fired doc'!
Believe me, docs are worse than the stereotypical church lady gossips at times? THEY KNOW what you MEAN when you aren't communicating well! And they know WHO you mean it about and WHY you mean it!
What inspires me in any doc? IS CURIOUSITY! That I mite NOT fit into all boxes for disease/condition A vs. B! First fired neuro didn't show any curiousity at all! Just did the most basic and minimal tests in the most primitive of settings. Another clue? Is how the staff, from receptionists to nurses and techs treat you and such... If they're happy? They're professional and efficient. If not? Something's wrong in that docs' offices.
No, we aren't drug seekers! We just want some relief now and then and help to keep this all from getting WORSE! That part, [read Cyclops' posts] is a real and true fear of all of us!
The stress your fears put on you must be recognized:

http://www.google.com/search?q=fight...rlz=1I7GGIK_en
Stages of panic and how it works? While this site is targeting kids, it's short and sweet for a complex subject!
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/auto.html
We DO seem to be in stages of "red alert!" when having some/many neuropathy problems. Trick is? Recognise them, then deal with them!
Maybe ANOTHER opinion might strike a chord with you? Also about the doc making the opinion. I VIEW second opinions as ME Interviewing the DOC. Three or five docs, usually are OK? But when you get to seven or fifteen? Then you could be pigeonholed other ways. So pick wisely and well.
Keep faith and hope! !'S - J