Seeing internal Doc what questions should I ask
 

Hi everyone,
Just at my wits end with this full body SFN. I am now having severe pain on the top of my right hand, I guess it's not bad enough that I have pain numbness and burning all over my body😥 after 3 years I am continuing to get worse, my neurologist has just given up, he always tells me just to come back in 3 months, so frustrating! I am seeing an internist tomorrow and wonder if any of you may have ant suggestions on what questions or tests I should ask for. The last time I had any blood work done was the beginning of 2014, no body scans have ever been done. My right hand and arm are becoming very severely affected and I just don't know what to do anymore. Thank you for letting me vent and any suggestions would be appreciated.

Any chance of getting a second opinion from another neurologist? My internal medicine doc who I really like and respect really has nothing to offer with my SFN. Just keeps reinforcing to stay on a low carb diet and exercise in case it's a glucose issue.

Hi Janieg,
Yes I guess I could go to a big teaching hospital down here in San Diego! It's scripps medical center. I'm just so tired of not being able to find an answer. I know internists try to find answers that other Doctors cannot find, also I was hoping the guy I'm seeing tomorrow will do some investigation. So tired of living like this! I'm taking Liza Janes spread sheets with me tomorrow, maybe I can talk the Doctor into doing these tests.

My internal medicine doc did all the basic testing when I first started having problems, but then yielded to the neuro after that. She sees a lot of SFN, but it's all diabetes-related. She's more than willing to order any test I want that seems appropriate, though. For example, I requested a full thyroid work-up when I realized I hadn't had that yet.

I also went to an integrative medicine doc after my neuro exhausted his options. She ran more "out of the box" tests....a nutritional evaluation, hormone test, and food sensitivity test. There was no obvious explanation from all that. I also tried to get relief from her from acupuncture and myofascial release techniques without success.

The only thing I haven't followed up on is my neuro's suggestion to go see another alt medicine doc who is a friend of his and is 75 miles away. My neuro believes an activated virus like EB or Herpes Zoster could be involved. I haven't gone that route as 1) I'm doubtful 2) this guy doesn't take insurance, and the initial visit is $350.