[chris1948]

Hi, just a small introduction. I'm 67yrs old, a Vietnam Vet, spent 22yrs in the Army 1968-1990 then worked another 23yrs at Ft. Hood, Tx on the military's tank firing ranges. I retired from there in 2013. Since then I've been through various hobbies to keep me busy. I collect Early American Pattern Glass, American Brilliant Glass and Depression Glass. I have two greenhouses in my backyard and have about 100 plants or so. Quite a few I've grown from seed. Thanks to my service in Vietnam and Agent Orange I have Ischemic Heart Disease, Balance Loss and recently I've developed uncontrolled shaking of my legs (hopefully I'll be able to post the video I made of this to a forum soon). I currently have an 80% VA disability. My wife and I take a yearly cruise from Galveston, Tx to Progresso and Cozumel Mexico which is a real stress breaker.

If anyone has any questions for me don't hesitate to ask. I'm always at home.

[Jomar]

Hello,
For the new symptom, have you been to the dr at all?
Any tests done , therapy?
Any possible spine problems, family members with anything similar health related ?
Does leg/s shake all the time, part time, when tired, etc? no pattern at all?

[chris1948]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

Hello,
For the new symptom, have you been to the dr at all?
Any tests done , therapy?
Any possible spine problems, family members with anything similar health related ?
Does leg/s shake all the time, part time, when tired, etc? no pattern at all?

I've not been yet for this new problem though I do have an appointment with my VA neurologist on Sept 8th for a follow up to my EEG on the 23rd. I've had a CT Scan done on the 13th of April with these notes:

The CT scan of the head is unremarkable and apparently unchanged from prior
studies. The CT of the neck has some degree of cervical spinal stenosis at C45
and C56 characterized as mild stenosis at C56. This is the source of the
electric shock to the legs you described. The narrowing is not enough to
consider cervical spinal surgery where is must be SEVERELY stenosed.

That was back when I would sometimes get what felt like little shocks in my legs. No one in my family, that I'm aware of, have or had the same problem. It happens when I'm either sitting back in my recliner with my legs out straight on the foot rest and I clench my toes downwards or move my legs outwards a tiny bit from the groin area especially my left one. It also happens when I'm lying in bed getting ready to go to sleep or at times the shaking will wake me up at night.

[Jomar]

Could it be restless legs syndrome?
You might look that up and see if it fits..

If so try added magnesium , Epsom salt soaks, there are Epsom/mag lotions & rubs many find helpful for RLS and other muscle pains.

Our site search tool can bring up more posts about Epsom salt & magnesium.

[ The CT of the neck has some degree of cervical spinal stenosis at C45
and C56 characterized as mild stenosis at C56. This is the source of the
electric shock to the legs you described.]

I wonder about this statement.
Usually a report will state if something is abutting or impinging a nerve or the cord.
Mild doesn't seem to fit ,IF it could be causing some sort of shocks.. IMO
not a dr tho.. I would ask for more information as to what & why, or take images & report for another opinion..

You can visit our Spinal forum for more ideas on stenosis.

[chris1948]

Here's what my VA neurologist had to say after he saw the video.

Thank you for the video. I cannot identify the nature of the shaking which
moves from one leg to the other. It is no consistent with restless leg syndrome
or seizure activity as I kn andow them

[mrsD]

Have you had your B12 measured? You need to be at 400pg/ml
at least (labs still report below 400 as "normal" and that is not.)

Long term low B12 damages the spinal cord...called combined degeneration of the spinal cord.

Here is a thread with links you might find helpful:

STICKY - The Vitamin B12 Thread:

People become low in B12 from vegan diets, taking acid blockers and metformin long term, and autoimmune attacks on intrinsic factor in the stomach (pernicious anemia).

Normal ageing can also lower B12. That is why many researchers now recommend a B12 suppement for those over 50 yrs old.

Military service people also can be poisoned from on base
toxins, over time. So getting tested for heavy metals and other toxins may be revealing for you.

[chris1948]

Thanks, I'll check out the thread you linked. My last lab test showed

VITAMIN B12
522
pg/mL
(180-914)
Final

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

I see to have met some wonderful friends here. I really also want to say thank you serving in the Army. I am so happy to meet a brave hero of the USA.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[chris1948]

Thanks for the welcome Darlene, much appreciated.