Hi Jan,
I have had the skin biopsy. it is not really painful so don't be worried. It was positive for small nerve neuropathy. I have been tested for many things to try to find the cause of the neuropathy. Have never been able to find it.They say idiopathic & auto immune related. The doctor said possibly a virus or bacterial infection.
My rheumo is sending me back to neurologist to see if he agrees with IVIG treatments for me. I know he will agree. The neurologist tried to get them for me about a year ago but the insurance company said no. If he agrees I don't think I can have them done till the spring. I have to have a surgery done in the winter first (unrelated). I have read a lot of good things about IVIG.
I was at a conference today that said it will only work if the neuropathy is immune related.
I have asked many different doctors if neuropathy will get worse or can be cured. So far I have gotten that they are unsure how much it can progress. It is different for everyone. I have been told it can not be cured by every doctor. That you can not regenerate nerves. People on this site seem to disagree with this, so that is good. I also heard that there is research being done at hopkins for nerve regeneration. Gives me hope!! Keep praying! Good luck with everything. Hopeful