Feels like a sunburn???

Hey Sherinne...

The Gov't will be paying the bill. We have Provincial Health Care, whereby we present a card when we see the Dr., & there isn't any money exchanged.

For sure, I'll ask if whatever bloodtest she orders will be for Lyme and/or Lupus.

You also offer a good point in suggesting that I tell her that I have heard of people being diagnosed with Fibro when in fact they had Lyme or Lupus because the symptoms are so similar. As you said, she very likely will know what to do since she's board certified & also an Internist.

My GP did say that the MRI results mentioned arthritis in the spine, but he didn't say WHERE. I know for sure it's in an area of the cervical discs, but I won't know where or how bad 'til I get the copies of the MRI results myself. Likely, that won't happen for another week or so.

IF the Lyme and/or Lupus has been ruled out, but nobody has told me, I would find that very odd, especially if I wasn't told I was being tested for it. Surely my GP would have said something yesterday if that were the case.

lgG, lGM and lgA are all fine in the bloodwork. As mentioned previously, B12 levels are great. ESR & C-Reactive protein were fine as well. A/G Ratio, Gamma Globulin, Alpha 1 Globulin, Beta Globulin, Albumin Electrophoresis, Protein Electrophoresis, & Alpha 2 Globulin...all normal. I don't know if you understand all of this or not, but this is everything the Neurologist had tested in the bloodwork.

I will check to read about the link you send with me. Thanks for sharing!!!!

Ok, so I'll assume I don't have ankylosing spondylitis. Thanks for the information!!

Thanks so much for sharing your information with me. I'm at the point now where I'm nearly demanding they find out what's going on with me. A guessing game of over 3 years is not acceptable. '

While there may be things going on in the spine..I know for sure there's narrowing in a nerve opening in the neck, I haven't heard back from the Neuro about the MRI I had Aug. 13. No news is good news..but
has the situation worstened or what. The pins/needles & burning has to be caused by something. I am not diabetic, have not had injury, etc.etc. In his report, the Neuro stated the EMG does not test for small fibre neuropathy. The question in my mind is if a patient is suffering this long; why do they not also test for small fibre neuropathy, or do a skin biopsy?

I'm grateful to have been referred to a Rheumatologist to see if there's anything going on in the immune system. Yes, I have some tender spots..the insides of each elbow..points on the back of my neck, front of chest, the insides of both knees, BUT I do not have pain that comes from these areas at all.

My main 'beef' is the burning in my feet, along with the pins/needles that happen in my legs. Although the pins/needles are tolerable, they're very annoying to say the least, & have been going on for far too long. I know nerves can't be cured, but further damage can be prevented; just how I don't know. I fail to understand just why Drs are quick to blame things going on in the spine, but they don't seem to do anything about stopping progression, or do they in fact know how to stop progression.

I took Gabapentin a about 1 1/2 yrs ago. It did help the pins/needles to a degree, but in all honesty, I truly didn't need the Gabapentin, & it certainly didn't do a thing for the burning.

So, I'm off to see the Rheumy tomorrow. I'm expecting a requisition for bloodwork to be done. The Neuro did send bloodwork results to her (I'm sure he would have done this), but I also do think the bloodwork she might order would have some differences. After all a Neuro likely doesn't know all the features of bloodwork to do with rheumatology.

Anything any of you might offer further would not only be welcomed, but very much appreciated.

Enjoy the day to the fullest!!!!!!