Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

My wife worked in IT most of her life. I just read her the above quote, and her response was, "HA!" She was constantly assaulted by carpet & adhesive (carpet & wall covering) fumes, air-conditioning contaminants, fumes from chemicals put on the office landscape plants, pvc fumes from vinyl in office equipment, formaldehyde from particle board in office furniture, asbestos insulation in older buildings, cyanide from isocyanates in urethane foam in office furniture, paints, & furniture finishes, copy toners.... and the list goes on. She also has tinnitis she suspects may be due to decades of white noise generators.

Offices aren't any safer than other environments when you think about it/dig in a little...

Google: chemicals found in office air

Doc

Originally Posted by medtchva

My husband has been suffering for over a year now with an as-yet undiagnosed illness that include symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. There is so much first-hand experience on this site, I hope maybe some suggestions could come my way.

Here's a summary of symptoms and events that may or may not connect, but worth mentioning.

• Elbow tendonitis for 8 months - not unusual due to occupation
• Sinus and ear infection that lasted over 4 months, 4-5 different antibiotics tried
• Not long after sinus infection seemed to resolve, developed tingling sensations down outside of both forearms
• Within 2-3 days, tingling sensations down both lower legs into feet
• Pain - pins and needles in muscles, severe joint pains - lasting several minutes to half an hour
• Progressive muscle weakness, starting with hands / forearms, progressed to legs
• Loss of reflexes - tapping with hammer shows no response
• Neuro symptoms - transient - difficulty speaking, difficulty forming words, stuttering (no history previously), mental fogginess, memory difficulties
• Transient bradycardia - heart rate 50-55 bpm

History of: diverticulitis, asthma, allergies

Only unusual family history: Father has Myasthenia Gravis

Radiology: MRI of brain & spinal cord, CT of abdomen both normal

EMG and NCV: Normal

Lab tests: Only blood work abnormal is Sed Rate (>100 mm/hr) and C Reactive Protein (>12).

Muscle biopsy: Totally normal

His 'diagnosis' right now is fibromyalgia, but we and the doctor both know that's not all this is. He is on a pharmacy of meds: Lyrica, Cymbalta, Seroquel, Tramadol, Hydrocodone as needed, and prednisone.

The meds help, but don't eliminate, his pain. Prednisone is the ONLY thing that improves the muscle weakness. However, having already been on it for 6 months and seeing another rheumatologist, he is being weaned off of it for further testing. The more the dose is decreased, the more weakness returns. He's also having headaches every day, which are progressing to starting earlier and earlier each day.

The new rheumo mentioned Gullian-Barre or another viral syndrome, but he's had no paralysis.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. If the new rheumo can't diagnose him, our next referral will probably be several states away to a large clinic.

Originally Posted by NCRN

Sounds like he needs Immune Globulin especially if they think he has Gullian-Barre. GBS is not easily diagnosed by many doctors; but just ask if he can be infused to see if it helps.

Originally Posted by medtchva

Thanks. I was very disheartened by the rheumo visit today - we didn't even see the doc, only the NP, and all she did was an exam, repeat his sed rate and creatine kinase, and say come back in 2 months after you're off prednisone.

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

Hi medtchva,

Did you make the appointment to see the doctor or an NP? Maybe I've been fortunate, but anytime they've tried to pull the ol' switcheroo on us, they've at least advised us ahead of time so we could either insist on seeing the doctor we're paying to see (the bill is the same either way), or opt out of the appt.

To pull that kind of switch without notice is, IMO, unethical.

Please don't misunderstand me; NPs, PAs, etc. have their appropriate functions, and we have certainly seen them, but it depends on what for. I don't know that anything can be done about what's happened (except charge you for another visit) except let them know that when you make an appt. to see your DOCTOR, THAT is whom you expect to see (or be advised ahead of time so you have the option of rescheduling).

I have "fired" a couple of doctors who felt they were too important or too busy to see me personally, but there was a little more to it than just that.

Doc

Originally Posted by medtchva

My husband has been suffering for over a year now with an as-yet undiagnosed illness that include symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. There is so much first-hand experience on this site, I hope maybe some suggestions could come my way.

Here's a summary of symptoms and events that may or may not connect, but worth mentioning.

• Elbow tendonitis for 8 months - not unusual due to occupation
• Sinus and ear infection that lasted over 4 months, 4-5 different antibiotics tried
• Not long after sinus infection seemed to resolve, developed tingling sensations down outside of both forearms
• Within 2-3 days, tingling sensations down both lower legs into feet
• Pain - pins and needles in muscles, severe joint pains - lasting several minutes to half an hour
• Progressive muscle weakness, starting with hands / forearms, progressed to legs
• Loss of reflexes - tapping with hammer shows no response
• Neuro symptoms - transient - difficulty speaking, difficulty forming words, stuttering (no history previously), mental fogginess, memory difficulties
• Transient bradycardia - heart rate 50-55 bpm

History of: diverticulitis, asthma, allergies

Only unusual family history: Father has Myasthenia Gravis

Radiology: MRI of brain & spinal cord, CT of abdomen both normal

EMG and NCV: Normal

Lab tests: Only blood work abnormal is Sed Rate (>100 mm/hr) and C Reactive Protein (>12).

Muscle biopsy: Totally normal

His 'diagnosis' right now is fibromyalgia, but we and the doctor both know that's not all this is. He is on a pharmacy of meds: Lyrica, Cymbalta, Seroquel, Tramadol, Hydrocodone as needed, and prednisone.

The meds help, but don't eliminate, his pain. Prednisone is the ONLY thing that improves the muscle weakness. However, having already been on it for 6 months and seeing another rheumatologist, he is being weaned off of it for further testing. The more the dose is decreased, the more weakness returns. He's also having headaches every day, which are progressing to starting earlier and earlier each day.

The new rheumo mentioned Gullian-Barre or another viral syndrome, but he's had no paralysis.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. If the new rheumo can't diagnose him, our next referral will probably be several states away to a large clinic.

Originally Posted by Floxy52

Has your husband ever taken any of these antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, Levaquin or Avelox. They cause all of these symptoms. I have had a reaction to Ciprofloxacin which has caused me to have tendon problems in both shoulders and have numerous other side effects. These antibiotics which are called fluoroquinolone have a black box warning on them because they can cause tendons to rupture. I belong to groups on facebook called Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Group. They have a lot of information. Please go there and read about these drugs. I hope you can find help for your husband.