Hi All,

Can anyone recommend some great neurologists and great diabetes experts anywhere in the "front range" areas of Colorado, like in Lakewood, Denver, Boulder, Golden, Arvada, Wheatridge, etc.?

I'd appreciate some personal recommendations (if possible) of any thorough, experienced, knowledgable and nice neurologists (and diabetes experts) in the "front range" area of Colorado.

A few days ago, I was told by a neurologist that I have a peripheral neuropathy, but he said he didn't know the cause(s).

Years ago, I used to have beginning TOS/thoracic outlet syndrome, and I used to post on BT/BrainTalk's forums including PN/peripheral neuropathy, TOS/thoracic outlet syndrome, and I also posted on Cara's Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease forum also at BT.

Here at NT/NeuroTalk, I've posted on Cara's Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease forum.

That neurologist I just saw, said my vibratory sense (tuning fork test), and other foot and leg reflexes, were slightly diminished compared to reflexes in my upper body areas.

I have slight swelling (edema) now, in both ankle areas: Months ago (during the winter), the slight edema swelling was not so slight, and extended upwards from ankles to almost knees, causing a weird feeling of stretching of the skin, from the edema.

The edema was less when I woke up, but not entirely gone. It did get worse, with my legs "dependent" (down, not elevated), like when driving, using my computer, etc.

Now, the lower leg edema is just located at upper feet extending to just above ankles (for about 3 inches), mostly on "insides" of lower legs, and I also have a reddish discoloration above anklet sock line, where the redness looks like a 5 inch band of sunburn, all around both lower legs. (I don't think it's psoriasis, but I do have a mild case of psoriasis controlled well by diet, if I don't cheat)

For the lower leg swelling & red discoloration: First I went to a cardiologist, who ruled out CHF/congestive heart failure since CHF can cause lower leg edema.

Then, I went to a vascular surgeon (Dr. Brantigan, in Denver), who said he thought it was "lymphedema", with unknown cause. Vein problems were ruled out by Dr. B's prescribed tests (negative doppler ultrasound of legs, and negative MRI of both lower legs), and also ruled out, was tumors in female areas, that could have pressed on lymph vessels (negative CT scan of female areas).

Then, about 2-3 weeks ago, I had one episode upon waking up, of a throbbing, burning, left sided (not constant) headache with slight left side of face pins & needles with slight numbness, so I wanted to be sure I didn't have any kind of a stroke.

I've also noticed a "lazy" left eye (will have to see eye doc, to see if connected to any of this).

That one sided headache plus left facial pins & needles/slight numbness, led me to see the neurologist, whose prescribed tests ruled out stroke. The neuro figured I had probably slept wrong (quite possible, since I sometimes take naps in my car, sitting up), causing what he called an "occipital neuralgia" on left side. He reproduced the burning headache, by pressing on an area located low down on my skull, on the left side, just above neck.

My brain CT scan was normal. My brain MRI was normal. :-)

Several blood tests prescribed by that neuro, regarding possible Vitamin B-12 deficiency & possible diabetes, had results (numbers) right on the highest edge of normal limits. (I personally suspect pre-diabetes--since my father's father had type 1 diabetes).

My Vitamin B-12 blood tests results were:

B-12 level in 700's

MMA/methyl malonic acid level, & HCy/homocysteine level, both were at the highest numbers within "normal range" levels, (that is, one number below being "elevated" levels).

But since I had been taking some sublingual (Jarrow brand) methyl cobal amin (Vitamin B-12), for several days up to the day before I had the bloods drawn, I'm thinking my results may have looked better than they would have looked, had I not been taking the B-12 so close to getting blood drawn for the B-12 tests. (Rose, if you're out there, what do you think?) So, I'm taking B-12 sublingually, daily now (1,000 mcg/micrograms), just in case I really was low in B-12.

Another thought the neuro had, was that the DGL/deglycyrrhizinated licorice chewable tablets, that I had been taking for years, may have had some unwanted adverse effects, including possibly on my kidneys (maybe). (My blood pressure goes up, if I eat salt). I was taking DGL to help lessen gastric reflux, in addition to watching what I eat. The DGL supposedly has no or almost no steroidal things left in it, compared to the original licorice root, from which it is made.

However, I wasn't able to pin down the company (Enzymatic Therapy) yet, regarding comparing how many milligrams of residual glycyrrhizins are left in each DGL tablet, compared with how much glycyrrhizins were in the original licorice root. I think the lady said there's about 20 mg. of glycyrrhizins left in each DGL tablet, but she wouldn't or couldn't say how much glycyrrhizins were in the original licorice.

I'm wondering if I may have been taking, without realizing it, the equivalent of steroids & who knows what else, for years (but hopefully in small amounts!), in the DGL tablets. I'm still checking on this.

Any ideas and recommendations for Denver area neuros & diabetes experts?

Thanks!

Carol (concerned lady)
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

a challenge. Part of it usually depends on what type of insurance you have...if it's a HMO like Kaiser you definitely can expect problems...

How I've found the various specialists I have [over a DOZEN now] has been to first ask my other docs. Then I go to the 'preferred providers' in my plan directory... Lastly I check out area hospitals and see who is on their rosters, then do web searching in depth about any comments, papers their backgrounds etc that I can find. The docs you have are probably not going to send you to a total jerk.

Around here we've a regional magazine that lists 'TOP DOCS' every few years. They survey docs about what other docs THEY would use for themselves or their family....

One thing about REAL endos is that I don't think there are a whole lot of them. Many GP's have a sort of sub-specialty in endo issues, and other specialists as well...I'd really look into a GP's background to determine if that doc's expertise can meet your needs tho.

Do a search of 'endocrinologists+Denver' and see what you find as a starting point and check out hospital sites and go from there - I hope this helps! - j

Hi Dahlek,

Thanks for your good advice! I'll follow it, plus, I'll ask one good doc I know (an otologist/ear doc), for some recommendations, but I would still like recommendations from people here, if possible (from the Denver area).

Carol (concerned lady)
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/colorado.htm

Some listings of the endo's in denver area.

http://www.aace.com/resources/

then click on the 'find an endo'... There are more around than I knew of in my area [my insurance is picky?]. Good luck! - j

Hi Shelley and Dahlek,

Thank you both for your advice. I will follow your suggestions. But, if anyone can give me personal recommendations, for a great neurologist &/or diabetes expert doc in the Denver/front range area, I'm all ears!

I also found Rose, who suggested I continue with Vitamin B-12 (the methyl cobal amin type in a sub-lingual/under the tongue form).

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

I'm confused. I had replied to this or a similar post, but I don't see my reply. So here goes again.

I think you gotta keep up that B12 forever!!

Chances are the MMA and Hcy were much higher and the B12 serum much lower before you took the B12. And loss of vibration sense is very common in advanced B12 deficiency.

I would continue the B12, and at a different time of day take a B complex. That should cover the possibility that you also need one or two of the other B vitamins to get that Hcy down into the lower half of "normal."

If this post is redundant, that's okay. It might help someone else.

rose

Hi, did you have a 3-5 hour glucose tolerance test ? that would soon sort out if you have prediabetes or not, as it was the only way my neuro found out that i had prediabetes myself.

I'm sorry to post on yours but have a ? about blood sugar/celiec/gluten issue. I was tested for this through full blood work. Anyhow before my nerve issue I had and still severe stomach issues with pain/bloating/constipation. I had sometimes low blood sugar.I drink an insane amount and am constantly going to the bathroom pee. My blood work just though showed high liver enzyme,low white blood count,low lymphocyte abs. Now I still have the stomach,abnormal amount of liquid,dizzy/shaky often and nerve damage. By thy way by b12 is high at 1500. My blood results have often shown nothing when there is underlying. I just wonder if I could have celiec,sugar issue or something from what I have stated though not shown and if I need a different testing. I had a ct scan to for pancreatitis cause of my high liver enzymes. Thank you.Good luck to finding a helpful doc.

Happy to hear your B12 level is high now. Hope you keep it that way.

rose