Did you ever have a doctor you went to and it seemed like they didn't care? Well I did and I fired him and got into see a Neurologist who see's PN patient's and does care. He did more for me today, than my previous neuro did in the 6 months that I saw him. Out of the 6 months that I saw him, maybe I actually had 4 appointments. The previous neuro wanted to know how I was doing and I told him I felt like my neuropathy was moving to other parts of my body. He told me, well thats what happens when you have neuropathy. OK, for one if I ever had to file for disability, this would not work for me. You need documentation. 2nd, yes this is true, but you don't come out and say that to your patient. How rude!
3rd he didn't even say lets run some tests to find out what's going on.

My new neurologist looked over my previous records and I told him what was going on. He, WOW is actually doing something about it. He has a whole bunch of blood work that he wants to run, sending me to a gastro doctor, checking me out for sleep apnea, taking a MRI of my whole spine and doing one more test that I don't remember what it was.....
I am so about this new doctor that I could do flips and shout it at the roof tops. Although I am still going to go to the Neuropathy Center in Jacksonville Florida as soon as my referal comes through.

thanks for listening,
Michele

I am so glad you found a good doctor. I wish that for myself. Good luck

Daniella, I hope you find a good doctor. Where do you live? Finding a good doctor is hard to find sometimes, but don't ever give up!! Good Luck to you as well.

Michele

how was he relating sleep apnea to PN? or was it another issue altogether?

On the second try! Wow! I know what you mean about what that first neuro was like. I had one like that, and it took me 6 months to figure out that I really didn't KNOW what neuros' are supposed to do! So I read and learned what I could [I wasn't computer literate then-am now tho]. Got and checked out some other neuros and found one just like your second one! My PN was marching up my legs and arms at an alarming rate SO I did see a big teaching hospital not too far away and saw the neuro department head [got lucky, with a cancellation]- Second neuro was doing LOTS of tests, but slowly, Neuro Dept head ordered more tests and within 3 months I was diagnosed and being treated!
Just keep in mind that there are soo many neuropathies! So many symptoms overlap many other neuro diseases such as MS Parkinsons and more! Diagnosing is hard in that it's a process of eliminating lots of other conditions. Usually tho the basic blood work, MRI's can eliminate many issues and help them zero in on the more specific tests such as nerve conduction testing and anti-body-blood work.
I hope you get answers and get treated very soon. It's miserable being miserable! 's - j

PS: Neuro #2 wanted to do a bunch of sleep tests, but while I mite have had apnea before getting my PN, it wasn't an issue! I was sleeping 18+ hours a day at first because of the neuropathy and the meds! I begged off of that one successfully. I think they want to do it to check for epilepsy-type sleep abnormalities [especiallyif they also have 'sleep labs']...so see if you can get out of that one?

I have no idea why he would want to test me for sleep apnea. I mean, yes I am overweight, but I don't think I have it. I am pretty sure my husband would tell me if I was having trouble breathing at night.

Hi my doc too wants me tested for sleep apnea. I'm thin though so I don't think there is always a connection with weight but may be wrong. For me though I don't think that is the breathing but anxiety but could be wrong. I think some of the connection is because when you don't get a good night sleep there is a thought it can effect your pain level.I know I often feel drained from lack of sleep.Thanks too for your thoughts. I live now in southern ca from Mi. I have seem many and I mean many docs here in Ca,Mi,Oh,and a phone consult with a doc in Fl my gramps sees.

Sleep apnea can occur for several reasons, obesity being just one. My hubby was just diagnosed with this. What alerted his doctor? Snoring... Like a freight train moving on down the tracks... LOUD... Lack of treatment can result in possible heart attack or stroke.

In some cases, there is a surgical procedure that can help alleviate this. They just had an article in the Dallas paper about this last week. Apparently, this is one surgery you want to try and avoid. The doctor interviewed for this article, said you would spend 2 weeks on the couch, thinking up ways to hurt him back...

He will have a C-Pap machine at night to keep his airways open by means of forced pressure...

Cathie

As far as doctors acting like they don't care, there have been numerous postings on our board here complaining about the very same thing. The worst one in my own personal case, was a Neurologist at our medical school, a place where this should not happen-since our taxes help support their institution...

Sleep disorders are associated with neuromuscular disease. You may not just be being tested for sleep apnea, which is associated with NM disease but also periodic limb movement disorder or restless leg, lagopthalmus, and many other things that affect sleep. I would take what testing is offered, and hope in the long run, and I agree with Dahlek, this is a long, long process, that some of these tests make sense. It can sometimes be years down the road, when the 'aha' moment comes. You will be glad to have had the test.

Many people with NM disease are put on BIPAP.