Anyone ever gone to one? I started today. I am hoping to see improvement. Went to a new neurologist, he didn't like the first diagnosis. Wants to do spinal tap, nerve biopsy, and nerve test. Haven't ever had spinal tap or biopsy, but not looking forward to any of the three. He did prescribe GABA? Whatever it is, said it should improve symptoms. Waiting on Friday to start it. He said it can make you really tired at first.

Just so we're clear, GABA and gabapentin are not the same thing. Gabapentin requires a prescription, but GABA does not; it is sold as a supplement.

GABA

Gabapentin

Personally, I would not have/permit a lumbar puncture/spinal tap without absolute necessity. I would want to know why the doctor wants it, what s/he will learn from it, and whether there aren't any alternatives.

Same with nerve biopsy; it depends on your symptoms and what s/he's looking for. In my case, I asked my neuro(s) if they wanted a nerve biopsy, and they all said it wasn't necessary because of my symptoms; yours may be quite different.

Doc

It is gabapentin. I couldn't remember the name.i am not sure about the spinal tap. It sounds more exploratory, as in looking to rule out causes of my neuropathy. I haven't signed up for any of the 3 yet. I go back in February to discuss more. Alcohol, diabetic, chemo induced, and HIV neuropathy have all been ruled out. My feet are numb, legs up to calves are partially numb, my hands are affected, my heart, bladder, and bowels are affected, no reflexes, never had any that I can remember. Burning pains in legs on occasions, cramps, and my feet and toes will get stuck in weird positions.

I have to agree with Doc about the lumbar puncture. Get a reason from the doctor. I have said No to quite a few tests. What does your MRI state if I might ask? I have had two cervical fusions, that turned out OK. ginnie

I was treated by an upper cervical chiropractor for many years when I was younger, & my mother still goes. I do not believe in the premise that the atlas vertebra needs to be kept in alignment with the skull. I believe all vertebrae should be free-moving. These are joints, after all. I see a different type of chiropractor whose goal is to get all joints in the spine moving freely. This helps tremendously with my back pain, but my normal PN maybe only slightly or not at all. Gabapentin is a first-line drug for PN pain. It reduces my pain level.

there are many tests for PN that should be done before you have a spinal tap but especially a nerve biopsy. a nerve biopsy is a last resort and only if there is an indication of certain conditions such as vasculitis. nerve biopsies lead to permanent damage and numbness in the area that the biopsy is taken from. It can also lead to long term pain. it also at best just confirms that you have pn not the cause.

lumbar puncture i would have less of reserve about doing, actually i have had one done. it wasnt that bad, but that was only after exhaustive testing before that. ruled out a number of possible causes and conditions.

For the upper cervical chiropractic, if you ever had upper body/head hits or bumps, whiplash etc, it might good to get checked out..

I had a bad fall off my horse as a teenager w/ concussion, after many years my ears, eyes, nose , shoulders and hips became uneven..due to the c1,c2 getting misaligned.

So for a basic self check or with help, look in a full body mirror and place hands on hip bones to see if even or tilted, same for the other body points. It may be easier for a friend to look from behind for hips/shoulders check.

The chiro I went to didn't use x rays and detailed measurements, he used the leg length check. Some places are very high tech for this technique.

It is a very gentle adjustment , there are videos on you tube showing how it is done - atlas/axis, c1 c2, upper cervical etc..

Hey, I have been to this kind of chiropractor. I injured myself rather foolishly and had multiple injuries that had me going to a month of physio and nothing! My mom suggested I see her chiro guy and i am glad I did. After he did a lengthy intake (and took xrays of my neck etc) and went to work. It worked in two visits. It was more expensive than a regular chiro, but hey, what is the price of your health!!

I did say no right now. They have done lots of blood work, the MRI showed nothing, the emg according to the doctor that did it showed "excessive nerve damage that is dissipated throughout my body, which is extremely rare and not good for my age." The 1st neuro said it probably wasn't cmt because I would be worse than what I am now. The newer neurologist said he does see some signs such as arches, and slight hammer toes on one foot but wants to rule out other things first. He said he wants to rule out any other possible underlying conditions. He also said I have had this for a long time. What other tests can they do to rule things out without spinal tap?

www.lizajane.org