Thanks to everyone for their support and feedback ... your comments have been most helpful and supportive. And a real serendipity!

Dahlek had an interesting question about my last post ... asking whether I was cold or hot during the nerve conduction tests. I hadn't thought about it before, but I was warm during the first test (02/20/06) and it was much cooler during the 06/06/07 test. My wife who, is a real authority on cold temperatures, verified this. Do you think that might explain the differences?

The cancer possibility as a PN cause, is also very interesting. But, so far, I think we've been able to keep the cancer from metastasizing (invading the bones) ... although I'm not sure if that completely eliminates the possibility. The cancer treatment, Hormone Therapy (ADT), is not really considered chemotherapy but it might very well be a factor, since it has numerous side effects, including osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and muscculoskeletal pain. (One of the other side effects is that I now enjoy going shopping with my wife) But seriously, Hormone therapy coupled with the spinal damage might even be more of a factor. But who knows?

Anyway, learning that the same neural symptoms can stem from damage to peripheral as well as from spinal damage, (from Glenntaj and Rose) certainly covered one of my big blind spots.

Like some of you, I also believe that a lot of these docs don't have a clue when it comes to the new techniques and drugs available. I've found this very true in the treatment of my spine problems and in the treatment of my peripheral neuropathy. Either they don't know, don't care, or are too damn busy to answer your questions. And my old uro doc, is a good example of this ... like when he told us there wasn't much more available when my ADT started to fail. Fortunately we found a great medical oncologist who looks like she's getting things straightened out.

Maybe someone can help with this ... I've been trying to talk with someone who has, or is presently using this Spinal Cord Stimulation treatment or maybe find some test material. it's an implant like a pacemaker placed in the lower back with wire running up the spine. Electrical impulses then block pain signals before they reach the brain.

Guess I'd better stop now, it looks like I'm in a rambling again!

There were a lot of other kind words and comments I didn't acknowledge ... but to all of you, thanks so much.

gerry

that AS MUCH AS WE would like it, the diseases, the treatments, the medications, the philosophies to approaching any ONE aspect are soo complicated that to find a doc who is up-to-date AND can connect all the dots that cross over disciplines is like looking for needles in haystacks?
What WE can do, is try thru learning of others' experiences good and bad about HOW best to approach any given doc...THEN NOT GIVE UP!
Hot/cold on nerve conduction tests - I'll have to dig up that site and post it again....It's been about 3 months or so...But I for one do know that temp. during the tests does make a difference...My last Nerve conduction test I really complained of cold...doc tried to rub my icecube feet warm...You do NOT rub my feet too much or I want to knock yer block off? I suggested that he get a hand-held hair dryer rather than take the room space heater up onto the table...You get the drift...As for AI's not being 'hormone therapy'? Go to any BC site and see what they have to say....I believe it IS as much a chemical manipulation [falsely presented tho] and any radiation therapy there is...s/e's are similar tho permanent damage is far less [whew!]
I'll refer you via PM about folks who've experience w/the spinal stim stuff...
Consider? Maybe when I post this article things mite make more sense...sure hope so.
Well, my turn to ramble is done - j

Dahlek mentioned that she thought the temperature was important. It is. When they did the nerve conduction tests on my hands, they actually had a big pot of water that they warmed to a certain temperature to warm up my hands before they did the tests. The neurologist told me that the temperature must be warm for the tests to be accurate. This test was done at a big medical facility that is a teaching site for doctors. This was done about 2 years ago.

Maybe they are finally teaching the new neuro's that the temperature is important.

Billye

Oh Gerry, I love your post. What a wonderful attitude.

You unexpectedly made me laugh.

I was thinking about how overwhelmingly serious things were when you made me laugh.

Gosh, I admire you.