Thanks for the advice re the testing and the chemical/metals possibilities Mrs. D - we will look into it. We live in Ontario, Canada.

Dave - he began his career in the late 60's so things were probably even worse then

Why is it that the GP's always seem to be so much more on the ball than the specialists??

Again, thank you, Linda

Also if your husband has dentures? And he uses a denture adhesive with zinc in it? He should get tested for zinc overload as well. Some people overuse this adhesive and develop nerve damage as a result.

I forgot to mention Cadmium too.

Linda, has a Dermatologist evaluated the skin lesions on your husband's legs?

Please describe in more detail the hand pain/sensations your husband is experiencing?

~

No dentures!

A dermatologist did look at him when they first showed up and he just said an allergic reaction to "something" - he was working at the time, so they put it down to something at work. He has an ointment that he puts on when they really flare - more so in the Winter when presumably his skin is drier. But they never heal properly.

Sensations in his hands? - he describes them as being burnt on the palms and finger tips, also extreme aching. He finds if he "compresses" them by putting them under a pillow and lying on them it helps, if that makes any sense?

He's been for his blood tests and we're waiting for results - has an appointment with his neuro on June 17.

Linda

Just an update after seeing the Neurologist again yesterday. He went up to 100mcg/h Fentanyl every other day shortly after I posted this and it seems to help. His hands are still sore, but he can cope with it.

All his regular blood tests came back normal (as they always do) - 2 Hr. Glucose was 5.6.

The Neuro is now sending him for a test for Fabry Disease, although he said it normally manifests in childhood? Extreme hand pain is one of the symptoms, but everything else I've read about it doesn't seem to apply to him.

He also said autonomic neuropathy would make him loose the ability to sweat, not sweat profusely as he does - is that correct? I'm sure I've read it could be either.

Is the neurologist just "stabbing in the dark"?
He did admit that he's never seen such horrendous pain from sensory SFN.
Anyone else familiar with Fabry disease and is it likely to show up in an adult?

Thanks, Linda