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

Mostly has something to do with the shipping of the sample which can be complex. Shipping biological samples requires special packaging and handling. It is labor intensive. Or if he prepares the slides, there may be only a special person to do that available to him occasionally...ie they move from office to office as a service.

Or this doctor just has decided to run his practice this way.

My neurologist did send the biopsy out to have it analyzed.

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!