New - what tests to ask for?
 

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and new to neuropathy. I’ve had symptoms for about 3 weeks (so far numbness starting in hands and feet but now jumping around body) but no official diagnosis yet. I have my first appointment with a neuro on Monday and want to know what tests to ask for. I have a special needs son so am no stranger to having to self-advocate.

So far I’ve had an unremarkable brain MRI as well as a clavicle spine MRI identifying a C6-C7 bulge which I’ve been seeking treatment for for 3 months. My bloodwork was normal except for a positive A&A.

Welcome, CMaurer1218!

You're wondering what tests to ask for. Someone must have already ordered up the tests you mention having, and maybe it was the neuro you're going to see?

Since this is your first appointment with the neuro, why not leave it up to him/her to decide what tests you should have?

The neuro will undoubtedly do an exam when you're there and might want to order some tests as well. If the doctor seems unaware of the test results you mentioned, by all means mention them. Otherwise you may find the doctor ordering up tests you've just had recently and don't need to have repeated.

Doctors are so busy apparently that a patient's test results escape their attention, as you may already have found out.

I hope that your appointment with the neuro will be helpful.:)

Thank you SO much for your thoughtful reply! ❤️ Hoping the neuro orders all the right tests; I’m just a little wary of neuros after having several bad experiences with my son being misdiagnosed so I want to go in armed with as much info as possible. The positive ANA may be a huge clue or may be a dead end. 🤞🏻 I get answers as I know many neuropathy sufferers struggle to get accurate answers.

CMaurer:

I developed neuropathy after a hip replacement 10 yrs ago, and have NEVER gone for any tests. I know what I'm dealing with and get more info from this group here and besides I'm not big on running to doctor after doctor...this is my experience finally in my life. There is so much info here on the PN group. And pharma drugs are my last last choice, and that's what the docs "sell"... I can tell you know they will sell you gabapentin and most likely lyrica and other drugs from their bag of goodies...

Do you have any ideas why you ended up with neuropathy?

Thank you, very informative! I have no idea what caused it - no surgeries or anything - but my positive ADA means it may be autoimmune.

Thank you, very informative! I have no idea what caused it - no surgeries or anything - but my positive ADA means it may be autoimmune.

Hi CMaurer1218

Welcome to NeuroTalk :).

The ANA test that you mentioned can indicate various autoimmune diseases which may include neuropathy as a symptom,

This information about it may help you RACGP - Antinuclear antibody test.

Talking about this with a neurologist or similar health professional may help you in terms of possible therapeutic options..

Best wishes

You may have decided that the positive ANA test result might mean lupus, but before you start to worry, those ANA tests can be a bit strange, I think.

I had a positive ANA test about many decades ago, and then years later it was normal. Since I didn't go back to the doctor who had ordered the first test, I never did find out what that test result might have met. Or I did find out--many years later.

Yes, I should have gone back to the doctor. He had sent me a note about that test result saying I might have "muscular rheumatism."

Since I was really busy at the time, I decided that that didn't sound serious enough for me to follow through on it.

As regards neuropathy--
 

--since there are so many potential causes, the list of possible tests can be very long, and the process of determining a cause very process of elimination.

But here are two sites that might help you get a flavor for what can be investigated:

Quest Diagnostics: Test Directory

An Algorithm for the Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy - American Family Physician

Muscular rheumatism, may be the original name for Fibromyalgia. When I was given the FM dx in 1999 I did a lot of studying up and in the "old days" it was rheumatism....so who knows, it's all a guessing bunch of games as I have seen it in my life. If I didn't work on myself as I do, I'd be living at doc offices... not gonna happen.