drugs drugs and more drugs.... that is my history!

You are on some major drugs!
I'll post later---the depletions that just the prednisone cause!
I have some things I have to do this afternoon, but I'll be back.

But I see some things I need to bring to your attention that are quick...

1) Antidepressants in the SSRI family increase bleeding. They have warnings on them now for use with aspirin and/or most NSAIDs--excluding Celebrex.

2) Do you have your blood sugar monitored with that prednisone dose? Pred can raise blood sugar...and also raise blood pressure. Are both of these monitored by your doctor?

You know I had a stroke in my left eye, that was silent, and later attributed to a highly stressful work event, that raised my blood pressure that caused it. My symptoms were pain in the eye--a dull ache, a headache. That night I had a black hole in my central and lower fields in dim light, but in light it was a violet shadow.
I had angiograms in both eyes a few days later, which was when this was beginning to clear. The upshot was a hemorrhage from a blockage in the right branch vein of the retina. It cleared up by itself, and never came back. The blood backed up and burst into my retina and caused a large "bruise".
Hence the violet color.

Did you have an angiogram to evaluate that blank spot?

I also think you should take 1000mcg of the B12 daily at least on an empty stomach. If this is an optic neuritis, maybe even MORE per day. Were you taking the B12 when the test was done? It might skew the results if so.

I'd also ask the doctor if you had any events while under...like a cardiac arrest? I had a patient who had a bypass and she had an event during the restart of the blood supply after they were finished, and she lost the vision in one eye as a result.
(these are called scotomas).

I'll be back later...

Hi again.

I was just started on the prednisone about a month ago due to the MG weakness.

My scotoma is a white or very gray spot. I didn't have an angiogram on it - just the ophalmologist visits where he checked for signs of brain stroke, glaucoma, retina problems (all neg) and he did the vision field test which is what really threw him. Actually, I have had intermittent pain in my eyes for years that has increased in the last year or so. Mostly when looking at something close like when I'm lighting a smoke. So I really think this scotoma has its start prior to the coil and just got way bad after, like all my other symptoms.

I just saw something on the inet that oral B-12 won't help much with a certain condition - unfortunately I don't remember the exact info, but it came up while I was researching this platinum/demyeliniation/CIPD stuff.

I can't wait to get the results on the b-12 test. As I understand it though, if it shows I'm deficient, that's not necessarily gonna get me off the hook on this CIDP thing though, is it. It's a possible cause of PN, but with this long a run, I'm kinda in a bad place, right?

Again - Thanks so much for all your efforts on my behalf. And I LOVED the link to the quotes - see the one I've added to my signature!

That is a great quote. I like most of his in fact. They are true, some funny, and even if not funny, they still have a shred of hope attached to them.

Here is the list for Prednisone:

Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Selenium
Zinc
Folic acid
Vitamin D
Vitamin C

A month is long enough at this high dose, to deplete potassium.
When that happens, then you get WEAKNESS. Now this may be hard to separate out from your MG symptoms. So eating foods high in potassium is a must. Next blood draw ask for a test for levels to make sure.

Also the new information about Vitamin D is important. It might be affecting your disease states. You can be tested for this too.
And since Prednisone depletes it, you will get behind anyway.
We have a new thread on Vitamin forum with an interesting video from Australia that Lara put up:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread81900.html
I think the dose for maintenance they state is deceptive, for most people. Esp those who don't get tested. Also there is alot of sun down there, and if you live in a Northern area 1000IU a day is not much. I take 4000IU in winter now, and none in summer.
That is working for me well. D3.

Mestinon is not studied enough/used enough to have a recommendation about nutrient depletions.

I would ask for a retinal angiogram, and get one unless you don't have insurance, or access for some reason. It is definitive for vascular vs neuro causes.

Metaprolol depletes CoQ-10 and melatonin. It may be masking some blood pressure increases from the pred, and may be masking glucose changes from it as well. It can hide diabetes effects.

B12 is involved in myelination, along with B6 and folate. Fish oil also helps. Fish oil has anti-inflammatory effects as well. So it might help your vascular worries. It strengthens blood vessels.

For now the potassium is the biggest worry. Vit D a concern and the other minerals you can get from a Centrum Senior.
As you continue, Magnesium also is important. Low levels cause vasoconstriction, and you can get this from food too, or
supplements. I have a thread on it:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138

Make sure your doctors who are giving that aspirin + Plavix understand the increased dosing of Effexor. Some doctors don't know SSRIs increase bleeding!

Tomorrow I'll look around about the platinum.

I forgot the fish oil I'm taking on my list - silly me!

Interestingly, before I had the coil, hence started the prednisone, etc., my blood draw did show me a little low on D and potassium. I will definetly get those added to my regimen (I'm gonna have to buy a bigger pill box, I think ).

You are such a wealth of information and sound guidance and advice.

Bless you!

Becky,

I am sending you a PM with the links I found so far.

So look for that.

We must have some kind of psychic connection. I keep getting in within just a couple of minutes of your posts to me!

I don't see the PM yet, but it probably just hasn't made itl. I HAVE to go to work this morning, or no-one there gets paid. I'll be checking back later this afternoon.

Again, thank you so much for all your efforts!

Mrsd,

I found a link that I think confirms what I thought about this coil and or stint - sent it to you via a PM so you could put it on any forums you think may need to know.

I answered your PM.

ras....do you smoke....????? if so......well, you know

Yes, unfortunately I started about 39 years ago and have always enjoyed it. Didn't really feel a need to quit before, because my lungs have been throroughly checked out by pulminary specialist, oxygen runs 98% resting/100% w/excercise, blah blah blah.

Then, when the incidental aneurysm was found, I knew I'd need some help to quit (I am a major league addict) and I got a RX for Chantix. Unfortunately..........
They don't have any cautions re: Chantix with MG, which I find out AFTER everything went to h--- is a NO NO! and could possibly have to do with why I am having such difficulty now.

Did you ever smoke? If not, I'm sure you have no idea how difficult it is to quit. *edit*

I will happily consider any constructive suggestions you may have to help me in my quest to quit.

Thanks.