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@johnbishop

Welcome @dlmdinia, I agree that the tuning fork can be a legitimate tool to test nerve sensitivity. I was being a little flippant with my response and didn't mean to offend anyone. I was specifically talking about the dubious help and high cost of so called neuropathy clinics. I do think that a tuning fork is not a definitive test for neuropathy although it may provide information on nerve sensitivity. Again, it's just my non medical and personal opinion from my own research.

This short video by Matthew B Jensen Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin that gives a good explanation of how the different neuropathies are diagnosed -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FrQ7Glvgok

Neuropathy Commons aslo has some information on the criteria for diagnosing which I think the skin punch biopsy is the gold standard -- https://neuropathycommons.org/diagnosis/diagnosing-peripheral-neuropathy

I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/. Have you been diagnosed with neuropathy? Do you mind sharing a little more about the outcome of the clinical trial, did it help you find a treatment?

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Replies to "Welcome @dlmdinia, I agree that the tuning fork can be a legitimate tool to test nerve..."

I underwent 20 weeks of chemo for breast cancer ending 7/13/2020. My hands became overly sensitive almost immediately after the 1st couple of treatments. My feet started to bother me and I had balance and joint issues about 3 months in.. Prior to June 19, 2021, 2 different oncologists failed to diagnose my neuropathy. I self-diagnosed using information off the Cancer Treatment Centers of America's website, and both oncologists happily agreed. Answering an ad in the local paper, I went through the process of applying for and then joining the clinical trial for neuropathy at UIHC in Iowa City with my first visit being June 19th. Every 2 weeks the visits consisted of labwork, pin, vibration and reflex tests with the neuro, and pill counting with replenishment when necessary. The 1st and every other visit I also had a skin biopsy near ankle and a visit with an oncologist along with some kind of skin cell scan on my non-dominant little finger performed by the neuro. Sept. 13th was my last regular visit with a final followup on Dec. 6th. The supplement being tested was nicotinamide aka niagen. I was patient #7, so I'm sure the trial is on-going. I did not notice any improvement in my neuropathy symptoms, but was unofficially told that some patients have been getting good results. Perhaps I received the placebo or it just wasn't working on me. It was totally worth the time and effort as not only had I had MY diagnosis of neuropathy confirmed by a stellar medical institution, but the wonderful oncologist there was able to refer me to a new oncologist she had trained herself who practiced 15 min. away from me rather than the hour to Iowa City and he seems much more respectful and invested in my care. Here is a link to the trial.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04112641?cond=Neuropathy&cntry=US&state=US%3AIA&draw=2&rank=1