been there, done that
 

Stagger,
Several years ago I went to the "Dellon Institute" for evaluation of my sensory neuropathy. After a days worth of tests and discussions they determined that their surgery would not help me since my PN was not casued by a neurological impingement. As Bob noted the procedure may give relief to diabetics who suffer from nerve entrapment or perhaps patients with carpal tunnel syndrome but otherwise it is not generally applicable to the myriad of other causes for PN.
A comment re: your experience w/ amitriptyline, it might be worth asking your doc to try a brief course of nortriptyline, the metabolite of amitriptyline - it's known to have fewer anticholinergic side effects yet it is equally effective. That was my experience BUT everyone's physiology is different so one can not predict the effects of drugs from one person to another with complete reliability.
Good luck.
Alkymst

Hi Stagger. I had lost feeling from knees to toes and elbows to fingers by 1997 when introduced to Dr. Dellon. He did surgery - 3 nerve releases in each limb - one limb at a time - one set of surgery every 3 months in 1998 and 1999. My Diabetic Symptoms had started in 1976 but wasn't diagnosed until 1991, hence lots of nerve damage which got progressively worse. Was retested every year for first 10 years after the surgery and no degradation of feeling. I am still as good as new 17 years down the road after my first round of surgery. So happy my local Podiatrist heard Dr. Dellon speak and referred me to him. It worked for me and I hope it will work for you. His office can test you to see if you are a candidate for surgery. Not everyone is, but he will give you a candid assessment. Best of luck.

A Google search turned up some extremely frightening reviews:

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Arnold_Dellon/reviews

... and past malpractice lawsuits in the state of Nevada if it is the same Arnold Lee Dellon:

http://medboard.nv.gov/Verification/Search.aspx

You can type the last name in the search box.

Nevada link is busted. I've been having a tough time. I can't see this as an option I'd explore myself, though.

Welcome FLDiabetic. :Wave-Hello:

Thanks Jon. The link is corrected now. :)

Dellon sham
 

I was seen at the Dellon Lab in Townsend, MD. Dr Dellon did not take anything but $, so I was given one of his assistants. The procedure only took away my money, but my pain is so much worse 6 years later. No alcohol, taking b12, ALA, Turmeric and Methadone Without the Methadone, I could not walk at all! They give you their sham testing device and of course they said they could fix me. I shelled out the $ that i somehow got my insurance to pay a bit. It may work for large fiber impingement therapy, but not for small fiber PN. I felt I was used and taken by a group of MD's who went to Johns-Hopkins, I will never just base my decision on the hospital they went to for their medical school. I would be in a wheelchair if I could not take the Methadone. All the other meds, such as Amytriptiline, Neurotin, Lyrica did NOTHING. I hate to take Opioids, but i have no choice. My thoughts are to stay away from them unless you definitely have Large Fiber Impingement syndrome and most surgeons can take care of that, ie. Carpal Tunnel procedures.

John Hopkins also lied and denied that hundreds of coal miners had black lung costing them untold misery and denial of benefits that were due them.