Also have PN and IBS. Until recently, I was on Limbitrol DS (Amitriptyline/CDP) for 6 years. Amitrip is anti-cholinergic so that helps the IBS with no additional meds required. A recent second opinion by a neuroligist resulted in a recommendation for Lyrica - it's a newer drug for diabetic neuropathic pain and is also used for pain from ideopathic neuropathy. Neither drug appeals to me so a Web search turned up Ranirestat, a Japanese drug now in clinical trials in the US. Based on Phase II trials at the University of Toronto, nerve function improved. Unfortunately, it's not available yet and patients eligible for the trials must be diabetic. I've been told that there's no cure for my particular type of nerve damage except stem cell research. I can't even get the neurologists to agree on the effect of Amitrip on nerve function: does it simply mask pain or actually assists in nerve healing.

Thank you all so very much for your replies. At the moment I am taking them all in and researching your suggestions. I would like to have obtained the Calcium Bomb book mentioned by Mrs D as it seems very interesting but delivery is 4 to 6 weeks by which time I will probably have had my deep scan and know a lot more anyway!
I am also a bit concerned about your concern over stents Mrs D. So many people over here are having them and they seem to be feeling fine afterwards. Could you explain more?

Yes Brian I must drink more water, I am very remiss in that quarter.

No Glenn I am afraid I don’t know my serum calcium level. I don’t even know if this has been checked. So far I have had a chest X ray, an ECG, an Echocardiogram, and it was when I went for a Cardiac CT scan that it was discovered after just 2 breathe in and outs under the scanner that my calcium levels were so high (over1000) that they could not see through the pictures because of the white calcium reflection. I have therefore got to go and have this extra deep scan which I believe is called an electron beam angiogram (EBA). I do know that very little extra effort is required by me to set of the beginnings of an angina attack.

I take a magnesium chelate 400mg/calcium188mg supplement per day. Is this OK?

At the moment by far the worst pain and distress is caused by the pains and cramps in my feet and ankles. Nothing I do helps at all.

As I said I am continuing to go through all your suggestions including websites which have already proved most interesting. Thank you again for your kindness.

May I wish everyone here a most enjoyable holiday and a very Happy Christmas.
Also may we all suffer less in 2007.

Tony

Adastra: I remember you as ASTRA from Old BrainTalk. Good to see you here. And I do hope you can post some. Yes, it is hard to do so when you are affected by various problems, but I would hope that the value you would get would be more than compensatory.

About your supplement: Are you sure that the ratio is 400/188, with magnesium being 400? The desired ratio is twice the calcium over magnesium. I take 1000 mg/day of calcium and 500 mg/day of magnesium, in divided doses. So, even if your supplement has the right ratio, you would need more than 1 capsule/day.

DBVogt: I have not heard any controversy regarding Amitriptyline's effects. It is primarily an antidepressant medication that is sometimes, although not much anymore, used to treat PN. Its pharmacological actions are to act as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Thus, concentrations of those two neurotransmitters are increased. This is the mechanism that is believed to boost mood.

And it is the same mechanism that is believed to help reduce pain. I am not familiar with any major hypotheses that suggest it can help "cure" damaged nerves. I have seen suggestions that perhaps in combination with a certain genetic profile, that increases in these neurotransmitters may aid regrowth. But at this point, I think it is quite fair to say that Amitriptyline might be effectively used for symptomatic relief only.

rfinney

Hello Richard

How nice to converse with you again after such a long interval and thank you so much for you kind interest.

With regard to my supplement it is Magnesium Chelate by Source Naturals and the supp facts per tablet are:- calcium 47mg (4%), magnesium 100mgmg (25%). As I take 2 tablets twice per day this totals according to my reckoning 400mg magnesium and 188mg calcium. I have also started taking 200mg of potassium in tablet form per day in an attempt to help the cramping along with two bananas as well!!

With regard to the Amitriptyline I have to tell you that my Neuro had me on 150mg per day about four years ago and it had absolutely no effect at all. Either good or bad, so I came off them VERY slowly indeed. I doubt they would help much with pain relief now.

Bearing in mind my forthcoming cardiac CT scan and possible treatment afterwards I am naturally rather worried about anything I take that is new.

I do hope you are feeling better than when we last “met” as it were and I wish you a very much more pain free and happier New Year.

Tony