How in the world does one jump from idiopathic to idiot? There is nothing anywhere to indicate the word "idiot" has anything whatever to do with the word "idiopathic". 'Idio' is a prefix indicating individual or distinct. 'Pathic' is from the Greek-pathos, disease. A suffix indicating (1) a feeling that is affected in a specific way, as in telepathic; (2) a diseased condition, as in cardiopathic (3) a form of therapy or system of medicine, as allopathic, homeopathic, or osteopathic.

The word idiopathic is not a diagnosis or a part of a diagnosis - it's a word that simply means: eitiology, or, cause unknown. It's pertaining to conditions without clear pathogenesis, or disease without recognizable cause, as of spontaneous origin.

I know for myself - often when a doctor tells one their PN is "idiopathic" - it means they dont care to find out, or know how to - determine the right testing for the type neuropathy one might have... it has nothing to do with "prefix" in my reference - it has to do with imcompetence and/or indifference on the part of our health care providers... (a play on words) there are many difference types and causes of PN - and if properly dignosed - it can lead to correct type of treatment and prognosis...... its up to us to pursue the cause of our condition.... not just be complacent and accept what the first doc says to us..... in such cases where PN is severe we need to be our own advocates!

ages ago, on a board lost to the non-archives of computerland-hiccups that it had been coined by a more senior member...
It was a play on the 'ideo' to 'idiot'. I believe due to the large numbers of members at the time, who had to endure the less educated diagnoses of having either a 'mild neuropathy' [then WHY am I in a wheelchair?] to the old standard of 'it's all in your head' [fruitcakes! YOU try making a complete sentence on this bunch of meds].
When you experience enough indifferent doctors risking our lives at times due to ignorance or total torpidity, well the IDIOT nomer seems pretty apt to me. I do distinctly recall laughing for quite a while about it, it had been the first time I felt able to laugh about my situation since my onset ages ago. Such a play on words is a relief for the pain at times, no? - j

Dan,
I do agree with Dahlek. I think what happened was that they took the phrase "your doctor is too much of an idiot to find out what is causing your disease" and came up with "idiot pathic". I don't think it was meant literally. But thanks for giving me that definition of "pathic". I had never taken the time to look it up.

Billye

Dan is correct.

Semantically.

However, here in the PN forum, we have all learned to think creatively.

Idiopathic means we don't know where this is coming from....etiology unknown....which implies, ALL possibilities have been exhausted, not just some....not just Gatekeeper tests. There are algorithims that are followed and you have got to get pretty far up the branches to get to some of this stuff. In general, most folks get diagnosed on the lower branches of the tree, sooner or later....When later comes you climb the tree....as you get closer and closer to the stairway to heaven....

It also generally means, that sooner or later, probably later, more pathology will manifest and the direction of diagnosis becomes more clear.

There are times, that when all has been exhausted all the physician can do, is await further developments. This is where sticking with ONE GOOD doc really can help one make headway in the odder, rarer conditions. Finding one good doc is the key....and having them stick with you is the other.

This discourse has more to do with the frustration of dealing with being told you have clinically proven PN via testing, and the medical system has no reason for this unfortunate occurance. The conversation began with the statement that 42% of idiopathic PN was really hereditary, which is not idiopathic, but hereditary.

I'm surprised at Dan. He has a better sense of humor than his post implies.
I know it didn't go over his head, possibly just hit him on the wrong day.
He regularly posts jokes on another PN site. Maybe he's feeling his age?
He is getting 'up there', y'know.
But he's probably the most active and agile person, both physically & mentally, that I've run into who is afflicted with 'this crud' (his term).
C'mon Dan, you know the term 'idiot-pathic' was ajoke!
As well as the observation of the doctor's mental state.
(albeit a seemingly correct, if inaccurate interpretation )

Maybe he took 'Glenn's' suggestion and went running naked with wolves to cure 'cabin fever'.... I said, semi-clothed....but nooooo, some one had to take it to extremes.

That probably could bring on a rash of 'significant semantic syndrome'....of course, that would mean he wasn't as mentally agile as implied (really running with wolves and raw meat is not advisable---not that everything we ever do is 'advisable'). Hopefully, he is really is physically agile if he decided to attempt this cure.

Like I say, because it can be done, doesn't mean it should be done....then again, some one has to push the envelope....that is how great things are done.

I am hoping Glenn is a good sport. (I was the one who brought up the idea, and deserved the verbal klonking---Glenn just suggested a slight alteration in attire.)

My point is that something should not be deemed idiopathic until you rule out the rare, let alone the obvious, hereditary. 'Pathic' has to do with suffering....but 'Pathos' has to do with 'feelings'.

In fact, some (on this board and elsewhere) have been considering what would happen if I went running naked with wolves. The betting is that the wolves would howl and run in all directions in abject terror.

Perhaps I should be rented out at Yellowstone. I could provide protection for the elk. (Assuming they also didn't run in abject terror--straight to the wolves.)

It's good to speculate this way from time to time--kind of draws us out of ourselves, helps make our day a little better. I'm sure we all need that--probably more often than we'd like to admit.

Yeah, I almost got possessed enough to go save the coyotes from the guys with guns....turned out those things are faster than bullets and didn't need me....although, I am sure I could have given those guys some form of a cardiac, and not in a good way....I am getting too close to being a senior member, with senior moments, and the physique to match. (If I would just do shorter more frequent posts instead of doctoral disertations, I would have my 'senior' standing---alas, I have only achieved mediocrity---a theme in my life.)

So when are you planning this trip to Yellowstone??? I may have to coordinate my schedule....I do not want to miss this event.

Speaking of canines, my dog, once again, ate my chocolate...how did that thing open my top dresser drawer? (He does this all the time, and no, chocolate for some reason does not bother him---I don't think he is full dog---he has to be part human---his dexterity is better than mine.)


Good bye, turtles....it was nice while it lasted...I had 3 of them last night...I got my valentine candy early, hubby had a craving. It is probably good they are gone...I have more subcutaneous chocolate than is advisable.

Yikes - I shoulda known better. But it never occurred to me that defining the word idiopathic would cause such consternation. It even brought out a moderator who edited the post by deleting the last line in addition to a member (who I presume contacted the modertor) raking me over the coals via a PM. Well, to all I apologize and to all I suggest we just: fuhgeddabudit!