--can, on occassion, occur acutely or sub-acutely, and can affect many different parts of the body--the extremities, the trunk, the autonomic systems:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nothe...etes.htm#acute

Unfortunately, far too many doctors are only familiar with the most common presentation of burning pain in the extremities--the classic "stocking and glove" distribution--and are not knowledgable enough, or inclined, to further investigate symptoms once one is labelled diabetic.

While a good primary care physician is invaluable, unusual presentations generally demand specialists--and SUB-specialists. I not only think you should consult with a neurologist, but one who specializes in neuropathy. Not many do, and those that do are often affiliated with teaching hospitals or large research clinics, and are familiar with the recent research and state of knowledge about the disorder.

In the same vein, if you consult with an endocrinologist, you should try to see one who is familiar with diabetic neuropathy, and not just diabetes.

Admittedly, it's hard to get a handle on how much a neuro or endo knows in a first appointment (unless you've gotten some good patient recommendations). And there are distance and insurance considerations, of course.

Many of us have found that the best knowledge of neuropathy comes from the large tertiary clinical/research centers--Hopkins, Cornell Weill, Massachusetts General, Jack Miller in Chicago, Jacksonville Shands (I'm frankly surprised at the treatment you received there--it is a well-known place for investigations of unusual symptoms, and apparently you didn't get past this "gatekeeper"); doctors here often perform research as well as see patients, and are more familiar with "unusual" presentations/cases.

Certainly, diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy. But when an unusual pattern of symptoms occurs, one should not accept a verdict that that is the ONLY thing going on. Further testing is necessary to rule out other conditons that cause neuropathy (or find them). Many of us are "co-morbid"; certainly diabetes can come with other issues--nutritional problems, gluten sensitivity, thyroid issues, hypertriglyceridemia, autoimmune inflammation--that can cause neuropathy in their own right.

Though it's been mentioned before, a good place to look are the Liza Jane spreadsheets at www.lizajane.org; these are a compendium of almost any test that many of the best minds here could think of tohelp diagnose neuropathy-causing conditions. It's also a great way to track test results over time.

It's certainly possible your neuropathy is attributable in sum to diabetes, but it also behooves you to work with specialists who take your complaints seriously (though it may take time and trial and error to find these people) and who are willing to order more testing. The interaction with that doctor as you report smacks of physician laziness, and probably also pre-judgment (the "if you're type II diabetic from poor eating and exercise habits you deserve what you get" kind).

is so right if you go to a good hospital and the one you when to is,
but the gatekeeper,could very well of been a 4th year resident. They
are the ones who check on all records,tell you why your there
if his eye got stuck on the Diabetic think,yes,let's get them to
focus on that..That is not easy to put off at that place,so how
does it happen..He may have been tired,no excuse..Did you only
see 1 neuro,well I doubt that,but if it did,I wonder how overbooked they
were still no excuse..

If you read about Billye's trip to Mayo,by car through a Bilzzard from
Dallas Texas.She was put through the ringer as was Fanfair, I will
never forget the tests some new and some repeats not once but
twice for me.. But 2 different reasons. Mayo almost always keeps you
there longer than tell you. I went to Cleveland Cliinic as well But had friends
and a relative in both places and place to stay. That was nice but would
of prefered a place I could vent..

My mother use to put out the kleenex,well you or I cry if it's ok and cry
if it's not. Then I had to go on Dissabilility,Oh did I miss that good insurance,
but I was lucky and got on it with no trouble..I have been lucky to have
2 Neuro's that work with each other,And I will be going to Barnes Jewish
for another problem,I'm still a bit in shock but not afraid,bht when and if
I talk about it.well 2 soon

Talking about diabeties well this people don'y they realize i'm in pain,we
have no doubt your in pain there is PN yes and polyneuropathy's.
And did you have a head-on-collision,was your spine damaged,there
are more reasons and different kinds of pain than we know,my opinion
we read all the stickies be brave,look at the pictures,and after being
a diabetic for a long time make sure your Neuro does not focus on that,
Make sure all Drs. you work with know about PN a very wise man just
said a bit ago ,there are some family Drs. that can handle it,or get you
to a good neuro that specialices in PN..But what tests did they
do,how long were you there,and how many different Drs. did you
see. Thanks don't lose your sence of humor,now that could make
you hit me with a chair,I can't pick one up ,but blasted I still can use
my elbows to fight back. These are smart people but you are ,the
gatekeeper was wrong..We my 12 year old had cancer ! woke up
at 1 and Dr. I though was shaking me and she was loud,that hospital
let the parents stay,but 20 yrs olds who helped us all,rang the bell
and the nurse came down a threw the med. student out,me I was wondering
where I was..My son slep through it so stupid that nitwit he got in so
much trouble,as he should,ahhh boy My son was awake and that 20 yr
old and my son whipered jokes the rest of the night so I could sleep.
Hope you are. Hugs Sue ps You can vent