Dr. Christina Ulane Hosts "Getting A Neuropathy Diagnosis" Facebook Chat
November 19, 2012 

On November 13th, Christina M. Ulane, MD, PhD hosted a "chat" event  on The Neuropathy Association's Facebook page focusing on "getting a neuropathy diagnosis." 

This Facebook chat helped hundreds of patients and their family members understand neuropathy better, hear from and ask questions of a health care expert in the field as well as peers—patients and caregivers—who are battling neuropathy, and improve overall quality of life and care. It alos offered insight into the process of getting a neuropathy diagnosis, and the uphill battle for both patients and the physicians trying to help them. Additionally, it stressed that living well with neuropathy is possible with early diagnosis, symptom management, and regular follow-ups; but it requires active engagement by the patient in his/her own medical care along with the aid of an array of resources—limited as they are—that do currently exist.

The first step towards effectively managing peripheral neuropathy is to correctly diagnose neuropathy and, when possible, find the underlying cause. Therapy is directed at treating the underlying disease/cause and at providing symptom relief with the right therapies. An experienced neurologist can help patients feel more comfortable and improve their quality of life. As a result, it is extremely important to get to an experienced neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular diseases, like neuropathy, and who would know what further evaluation or testing is required as soon as you notice the symptoms and before the disease has a chance to cause too much permanent damage.Managing neuropathy is an ongoing process, beginning with the very first symptoms and requiring frequent follow-up.

Missed the "Getting A Neuropathy Diagnosis" Facebook chat on November 13th? Download your free copy of the transcript...

Our expert, Dr. Christina M. Ulane, is assistant professor of Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Ulane completed her Neurology residency at Columbia University in June 2011, serving as chief resident during her final year. She also completed a fellowship in electromyography and neuromuscular disorders, training in part under Thomas H. Brannagan, III, MD, at Columbia University earlier this summer.

A special thanks to Dr. Ulane for giving her time and expertise to speak with our neuropathy community!