Good morning,


It's been awhile since I last posted. Just a recap....I have PN in legs and feet, axonal small fiber type. Lots of burning, shooting, electric shock, numbing type stuff in legs/feet. Leg cramps, sciatica. Hx of Morton's Neuroma both feet (surgically removed) , alcoholism (will be sober 10 years in 2 days). All major disease screenings have been negative. PN started abruptly 2 years ago.

I am going to see Neuro next Wednesday and just did some bloodwork. I am more than a little concerned about the results. My last bloodwork was all in normal ranges, so this was a little surprising.

I am currently taking:

Prozac
Neurontin
Topamax
Baclofen

Here are the test results I am concerned about. What do you think?

Fasting Glucose 97 (was 76 last year)
HGBA1c 5.6 (was 4.9 last year)
Cholesterol 241 (was 201 last year)
Mean Platelet Value 11.6 (normal range 7.4 - 10.4)

I pretty much think I know where this is heading, but I am shocked that these number could change so drastically in such a short time. I have not changed anything in my lifestyle, my eating habits, etc. Obviously I will be doing so now!

Mrs. D. - could Topamax have anything to do with the spike in cholesterol and the high platelet value?

Thank you...

Ann

anyone? at all?

Ann

Hi Ann,

Not sure I can answer your questions but I just had some thoughts.

Hemo AC1 you want it under a 6.0. I believe this test takes your glucose test one step further. Provides and average glucose levels over the 6 weeks prior to testing. Its more accurate than a fasting glucose where you an be high one day and low the next. Your is still ok but inching up.

Cholesterol is made in the liver, atleast like 70% and the rest roughly from diet. Your cholesterol might be ok depending on the ratio of LDL to HDL. Check your cholesterol ratio by dividing your cholesterol/HDL. UNder 5.0 is still ok.

Could be that your drugs are helping to slow your metabolism.

MrsD can probably add much more but these are just some thoughts.

Hope this helps and

Hmmmm....the mean platlet value could be related to B12 or folate deficiency

Someone else might have a better idea

Hi Ann, I think for Fasting Blood Glucose,
70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) is normal glucose tolerance,
100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) Impaired fasting glucose (pre-diabetes),
126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) is classed as Diabetic range.

The 2 hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (2 hours after a 75-gram glucose drink)
Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) Normal glucose tolerance
From 140 to 200 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.1 mmol/L) Impaired glucose tolerance,
Over 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) Diabetic range.

I will leave the rest to the experts

Brian

--though the inching up pattern is worth keeping an eye on.

The mean platelet value is a measure of platelet size, not count--do you have a platelet count? High mean platelet value is not very specific as a finding; many people have "giant platelets", and often these people have lower platelet counts (though this reading is often skewed by the size of the platelets itself).

That is just a sad fact.

Another factor that is alarming to watch is the rise of
serum creatinine.

Not much is known about Topamax yet. But the acidosis it causes may
affect things that we don't have experience with yet.

I have read papers that claim that everyone over 40 develops a some degree
of insulin resistance. That is just part of getting old.

I'd not worry much... labs can screw up, the sample may be mishandled...but just get the platelets redone in 6mos:

http://www.meds.com/archive/mol-canc.../msg03134.html
concerning platelets.

My cholesterol and glucose will inch up when I do nothing....literally, do nothing. My cholesterol total is back up to 229...if I exercise it is 160. So, luckily, I have dragged my sorry behind back to the pool...and yes, it hurts and I am dizzy, but no options. I cant take a statin, I already have neuropathy AND myopathy.

I would not fret too much, as the levels are still in range....can you pick up your activity level at all?

BTW, for any one who embarks on any exercise regimen, expect agony for a few days if not weeks.....the nerves hate it. Ask your doc if you can do whatever it is you have in mind.

I would say get professional guidance, but most personal trainers do not have experience in the realm of working with sick folks, and most PTs or clinical exercise specialists, do not do personal training....(I was trained in this and do have my certifications, so I can come up with reasonable programming for myself)....STILL I will tell you it hurts, no matter how gentle one starts out. I used to have a business doing just this, training 'sick' folks, but 'sick' folks cant pay for this kind of intensive work, and, insurance, stupidly won't pay.

You have morton's neuroma's, so for heaven's sakes, stay off treadmills and away from any 'foot sports'. I do not suggest treadmills for any one with neuropathy. If you do walk, soft gravelly surfaces are best....or even the road, stay off uneven surfaces. I suggest movement of some kind of gentle nature or a pool and you may be surprised at how those numbers go down....I will let you know in 6 months, what my cholesterol is, and I know it will be a lot lower. Pools are great.

All labs will differ depending on a lot of variables, even what you had the night before for supper....so don't worry too much, but, you are right to be concerned about your health. Try to up your activity if at all possible, and YES, I am aware of the pain and obstacle to movement, when you have PN....my doc keeps telling me to keep moving....HE by the way is not my inspiration....I have to watch videos of inspiring athletes and listen to my inspirational music, LOL, I don't mean spirituals, I mean 'rock'.

Oh, if you get in a pool...let the lifeguard know you have health issues, they keep a eye on you more....I hate to tell them, I can pass out, they turn pale, however, I tell them it hasn't happened yet in a pool.....I tell them as long as I am moving, i am fine...when I stop thrashing, scoop me out.

Glenn, the platelet count was 215.

On a really good note - my B-12 rocked at 1922!

I am a little concerned about being on the cusp of pre-diabetes and having the PN. I'll start to get more active and ssee if my numbers drop...that and perhaps a little less sugar and butter!

Thanks

Ann

Awesome B12 Ann!

I am going to try to start to change some of my numbers. Mrs D gave me some advice on some natural supplements on another thread about stains.

Looking into cinnamon and or Alpha Lipoic Acid to help with my insulin resistance and adding more fish oil for the triglycerides. And I have been reading up on something called Insinase that the homeopathic store recommended.

Just bought a good book too called Cracking the Metabolic Code.

Ok kicking off my diet this morning with some egg whites. Last time I really tried diet and exercise my choesterol dropped 80 points.

Good luck!