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Posted 4/29/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone,

I am scheduled to have a nerve biopsy in a few weeks to see what is causing my neuropathies to get worse.  Has anyone else had one of these and if so what should I expect? Were the results diagnositc and worth the risk and pain? Were there any long term effects? Thank you for any information.

Posted 4/29/2009 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I had a nerve biiopsy at the end of last year.  It wasn't painful at all.  A little sore for a day or two. Had to keep it clean, covered, and used neosporin.  Mine was a sural nerve biopsy done in the calf.  It has caused numbness in the calf around to outside.  Feels a little wierd when I'm shaving, but other than that and the scar I completely healed within a week or two.  They did mine figuring it would be negative, as most of my tests are, but mine showed vasculitis.  One more thing to add, but I take it in stride.  I have been sick for a good twenty years, and still don't have a definate diagnosis.  It has gone from lupus, fibromyalgia, ms, vasculitis.  I like to tell people I'm a good candidate for Mystery Diagnosis.

 

Good luck with your surgery.

 

Debbie

Posted 4/29/2009 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had skin punch biopsies to test for small fiber neuropathy in my feet and legs. The dermatologist following my neurologist's instructions took three samples, two from the foot and one from my upper thigh. She used a punch type instrument that took a small circular core of skin. Each biopsy site was closed with one suture. The derm used an anesthetic so there was only minimal discomfort during the procedure. There were no long term effects of this biopsy, not even scars.

The samples were sent to one of only three places in the country that does this test. Basically, they count the number of nerve ending in each sample. My neuropathy has not reached my thigh yet, so they compared that sample to the ones form the lower leg/foot. I had almost no viavle nerves remaining in the foot.

I was tested for every possible cause of neuropathy and it was narrowed down to one of three possible causes. I was offered a sural biopsy but declined. Of the three possible causes, I have two of the diseases so didn't feel the need for the sural biopsy. My neurologist didn't push for it either. momofltbrat is correct that a sural biopsy in the calf leaves one with permanent numbness.
Posted 4/29/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure this is the test they are doing on you, but here is a link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003928.htm I hope this helps. Blessings!  
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