Posted on 11/06/2011 4:08:30 PM PST by mupcat
Wouldn't you know, after all these years, my first post would be a vanity. Hope I'm in the right section, but if not, please move me.
My husband has just been diagnosed with Neuropathy, which I understand is a nerve disorder caused by some sort of trauma or disease to his nervous system. So far this has settled in his legs only. I guess there are quite a few symptoms, but for him it's coldness in his legs and an internal twitching which seems to bother him more at night when in bed.
I wonder if anyone here has or knows someone who has this condition and would care to share how they live with it, and what treatments, if any, seem to help. I guess it's not that unusual especially later in life. To answer one question that may come up, no he does not have diabetes. This seems to be a cause in many cases, but not for him.
Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it.
We live in a coastal town in northern California where there are many deer, and where they are, the ticks are also.
I do remember that being one of the meds the docs at Mayo took my Mama off.
Thanks FZ, I’ve sent him your reply. Good thorough information. So far no real pain, just seems to be that internal cold feeling, and then the tingling.
We will keep your family in our prayers
Spacejunkie is exactly right.
His magnesium levels are too low!
Be sure to get a good quality magnesium - not from WalMart.
Also, it would not hurt to “encrust” with epsom salts, have him stand in a hot shower, get good and wet and apply the epsom salts all over, and let the steam keep him warm. After 10-20 minutes, just rinse off and allow the epsom salts to continue to be absorbed.
It gives such a feeling of tranquilty plus soft skin.
I think that post was a joke. This remedy is from decades ago. My mother in law heard of it looooong ago and she is 84.
Here is another link- very detailed -that might have some more information.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/707090.html
Good luck!!!
Ha! Love your reply. Yes, I’ll take #3, for $200, Alex. I think your conclusion is going to be the case. He’s slowly learning to live with it, but I’m sure he’ll try some of the other suggestions just in case.
No, sure it's not MS, and he hasn't had a drink in many years.
I know that is probably the best advice, but believe me, knowing something and doing it are two different things. Not sure this can be done. Something about teaching old dogs new tricks and things like that.
When my Dad was in the hospital, he couldn't sleep due to due to neuothopy and restless leg syndrome. My friend told that her mother put Ivory soap at the bottom of her bed and it put her to sleep.
I don't know why it works, but it does. Just place the soap between the feet under the covers.
Dad won't go to sleep without his Ivory soap.
From the original post: "To answer one question that may come up, no he does not have diabetes. This seems to be a cause in many cases, but not for him."
Not really, I'll get back at him. :-) Yes, there have been some really good comments. I really appreciate all the replies, and will print some of the more techinal ones.
Thank you Tommygun99 for your reply. I am so sorry about your son. I have heard of GBS, and if his doctor thinks his condition has progressed I'm sure we'll go that route and have him check by a neurologist. Unfortunately we don't have any in our small area, but there's one within 90 miles of us.
Thanks, love the idea of wiggling the toes-—I’ll get him to try that also.
Thanks, fatima, for the prayers and kind words. Greatly appreciated.
Over 100 replies now and almost 100 different ideas.
I can’t answer specifically for your husband but I have PN caused by multiple sclerosis. It started out as a headache like pain in my legs that I thought was due to standing or walking too much at work and not enough running or walking in my free time. Advil, Tylenol, nor aspirin would touch the pain. Then my feet went numb for 2 weeks straight and when the doctor said it wasn’t diabetes I immediately went to a neurologist that specialized in MS and had a confirmed diagnosis within a week.
As someone else mentioned I was also on Gabapentin, which is the generic version of Neurontin. I was up to 3600mg a day after taking it for a year and it was still not helping the pain. I then started Lyrica (100mg/day) combined with Zanaflex which is a muscle relaxant. Since starting the Lyrica my leg twitching has subsided considerably.
I’m not going to give anyone medical advice but since he’s already been diagnosed with neuropathy it might make since to see an actual neurologist. An MRI and lumbar puncture can either confirm MS or rule it out completely.
It’s true about a bar of soap at the foot of the bed under the sheets. My father used it and then I used it on his recommendation. I had RLS AND leg cramps. The bar of soap helps, but, what also helps is unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, a few tablespoons taken internally (use Bragg’s—with the “mother”) mixed with a bit of water (although, it tastes good), and it not only helps leg cramps, but indigestion-—honestly! Sounds God-awful, but works like a dream-and vinegar is great for you.
Prayers for all who suffer. I’ve learned a lot from this thread. Thank you. FreePers are angels.
Hope that made you feel better. Sheesh...
My sister had it. She died last summer from stomach cancer. The Neuropathy was so bad she could not stand to be touched. I think it must be very painful. Prayers for your husband.
An acquaintance of mine died from Babesia, also caused by a tick bite. He didn’t remember ever being bitten by a tick but deer ticks are so tiny they’re hard to see. I’d go for the Igenex lab tests. Tick bites can cause all sorts of nasty problems that can’t seem to be diagnosed by traditional doctors or typical labs.
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