Hi,

After months of dealing with neurologists I have finally been scheduled for a skin biopsy at OSU however the apt isnt until June 26th! I was wondering if anyone knows of another place where I could possibly get this procedure in a more timely manner. I live in central Ohio and go to school in Indiana (Purdue University). Thanks so much!

If you are already seeing a neurologist I don't see why they can't do it. My neuro did mine himself. Ask them if they can do it. If not possibly try another neurologist. Justask before making an appointment if they ate capable of doing skin biopsy.
Sorry I can't help you with someone in that area. Good luck

The neurologist that I am seeing ordered the procedure through another neurologist...not sure why i wil look into it though! thank you

Sorry also has anyone else had similar experiences (those who have had a skin biopsy)? or do most people have to wait a long time? thanks again

--and how familiar the doctors around the area are with the procedure.

It is not the actual biopsy itself that is difficult--even most first year residents can give people shots of local anesthetic and then carve off a 3mm wide/1 mm deep piece of hairy skin and put a band aid over it. It's the analysis that is not widely available, as it involves electron microscopy, special staining, and very specialized training to interpret the results. This is why places like Johns Hopkins, the place at which this was first developed, sends out kits to other doctors but then requests the samples go back to it for analysis.

Places that analyze the samples (besides Hopkins) are Cornell Weill/Columbia Presbyterian in New York, Massachusetts General in Boston, the Jack Miller Center in Chicago, and a few others.

So most of the time is the procedure done at one location and the sample analyzed at another? I guess I am just confused as to why the apt is so far away (i was told that the doctor only does the procedure on the last wed. of each month). Thanks

Hi Boiler ---Im from Ohio I had a biopsy done at Cleveland Clinic (Dr Levy) ---I have since switch to University Hospital---there are several branches. You dont need to answer but do you know what they suspect you have?? --Im not sure if i missed something in this or a previous post. Thanks!

mg neck prob - Well I have had symptoms that may suggest a small fiber neuropathy. Originally a neuro at OSU thought I had post viral large fiber neuropathy because of abnormal and then normal emgs within 2 months of eachother. But now I have been having symptoms of small fiber and I had a slightly abnormal QSART test this past summer. I dont know if this is what I have because I seem to have good and bad days. My symptoms include tingling, sticking pains, burning in my toes (especially when cold) and seem to be heat and exercise induced (is this normal?). How long did it take for you to get an apt and then have the sample analyzed? thanks so much!

also one more symptom is that sometimes clothes irritate my skin (especially on the side of my stomach/around hip) almost like i have a sunburn that my clothes are hitting , but once again this isnt a constant thing

Hi Boiler, call any local dermatologist office in your area. When u call let them know u need per your neuro a skin biopsy for small fiber neuropathy does the lab they use test for this or so they have a lab they can send it too? Most derms are familair -but make sure your not wasting your time. The biopsy (punch biopsy) takes less then 5 mins no pain. Most likley they have to ship it to a lab that performs neuro-testing.Your symptoms are classic. Its not uncommon for your emg or nerve conduction test to show normal and abnormal. Do you have it in the family? Have you been tested for diabtes,thyroid,sarcodosis? You should be able to get into a derm pretty quickly ---u just want to request the test get sent to both the derm and the neuro. The test is 85-90% accurate. Most labs take about 3weeks to get the resutls back to DR. Hope this helps a bit.