nerve biopsy

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momofltlbrat

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 164

Posted 10/24/2008 8:33 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone,

I have been lurking here, but posted mostly on the MS site, when they thought that was what I have. Since there are no changes on the MRI, we are back to testing for autoimmune diseases, especially trying to rule in or out Lupus. This was my initial dx almost 20 years ago by process of elimination.

My ANA has been borderline high but never positive, and my SED rate stays negative, my inflammation rate is 46 when the normal is 5.

They have done a kidney biopsy and now want to do a nerve biopsy. I am uncomfortable with the fact that I will probably always have numbness. Just wondering if anybody has any experience with this.

Debbie

Ides

Forum Moderator

Joined : Nov 2003

Posts : 7204

Posted 10/25/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)

I have small fiber neuropathy in my feet. This type is not evident using convention EMG testing. I had to have a punch skin biopsy on my foot and on the thigh. This takes all the layers of the skin and counts the nerve endings. Anyway, in addition to this I had every blood and urine test performed in testing for disease causes of small fiber neuropathy. It came down to two possibilities and the only way to confirm a diagnosis was to to do a sural nerve biopsy.

I was also concerned about the permanent numbness issue since I already have a lot of it and did not relish having more. My neurologist was quite comfortable in leaving the decision up to me. He said that he was 95% confident that my neuropathy was caused by one disease and not the other. He also said that the nerve biopsy would not change my treatment or anything.

I do know that there are a couple diseases that really can only be confirmed/diagnosed by nerve biopsy. It that your case?

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