I've edited my post above to add the "abuse" I had to endure just to get testing for my abnormal thyroid. ( I tend to not "dwell" on those lost years of being hypo....it makes me angry all over again. Hence I "forgot" to include that experience this morning, when I was still foggy!)

IMO being a medically trained professional can work against you when YOU need help! Keep that in mind, if you get poor or dismissive treatment!

We could ask docs what are the good or bad things that set them 'off' of US?!
Learning better where these guys are coming from, could go a loong waay in enabling us to speak more concisely to our docs about our problems and NOT seem whiney of bossy! A good patient should be 'informed'? But ask and demand answers to key serious questions. AND THEN GET THEM.
I for one, always come in with a steno pad...outlining key concerns [often up to 10 of them?] and usually come out happy if it get to #5! And I keep notes! Docs know then I'm no slouch, even if really I can't remember spit afterwards!
IF I've found relevant research, I'll copy off the summary page of the source and give it to the doc - JUST BE SURE the sources are impeccable, as from university research hospitals or NIH or even international! Lets the docs know you are aware of what is and isn't going on in your areas of concerns, but also that no wool is over your eyes or dustbunnies gathering at your feet!

For example, for CIDP some people are responding well to this treatment-It's chemo and stem-cell related, and very Interesting!
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/N...m=CIDP&rank=10
More for peripheral neuropathies? But, many are related to chemo or diabetic PN's: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result...ral+neuropathy

To Mrs D? Inadequate docs are only 30% of the reason I always have a cane when going into any doc's offices! Not quite the 2"x4"x6' I'd like to weild? But, it sure makes me feel happier to know I 'could' use it IF I needed to! Luckily few of my docs warrant this approach in thought or deed.
Lets get to the basics w/our docs and forget about 'personalities'? Just do YOUR JOBS DOCS! I'm particular, but not nasty fussy!
Or, there is always 'silly-string'? [Just IMAGINE doing that?-what fun for the imagining!] Hugs to all! - j 's