New here, neurological problems after shingles
 

My symptoms started about 1 year ago. I began to get a burning and tingling in my feet which started in the evening . Also it kinda feels like I have something under my balls of my feet right behind my toes. My toes also seem to be a little achy. I really didn’t pay much attention to this symptom and kinda related it to my wearing flip flops and doing about 5 miles a day walking (in good running shoes ). Then about 6 months ago I got shingles on my left leg. After a lot of pain and took some type o f anti viral drug prescribed by my dr. it went away. But it did leave me with a numb feeling on my thigh and also a spot on my heal of my left foot. I was ok with that because I heard about residual numbness after shingles. I also must add at this point I have been under a great deal of stress and anxiety during this last year. Then I noticed that my calves started getting these twitches. Next I did what I wish I didn’t but I looked on google and found that twitching is associated with ALS or MS, then I really began a anxiety filled life. Made a Dr. apt with a neurologist who did a EMG test for nerve conductivity and told me that I have no sign of ALS or any other motor problem. But said I have BFS a benign fasciculation syndrome. Search about bfs. You can read about it there. Some very great help for me. The twitches kinda electrify your body and are sometimes in my tongue which is very hard for me to deal with. Also he said I have neuropathy in my feet that kinda makes me feel a little unbalanced at times. I am a 52 year old male 6 ft 210 lbs and have keep myself in good health all my life. I don’t smoke or drink and have always exercised somehow. I take some alpha lip. Acid B6 B12 Cal. Mag. And 1 baby aspirin a day. I am trying to believe my drs and just accept the anxiety bfs diagnosis. That would be ok if that’s what it is but am so scared its something else. The neuro wanted me to start cympalta an ssri drug but I have only taken a little ativan to keep my anxiety down a little. Oh yes also to mention I have a history of a little high ANA count So I went to a rhumy who did a ton of bloodwork and says all I great. If anyone can help me with advise or if you have ever experienced neurological problems after shingles pleas reply. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post.
Doug

Hello Doug...

What kind of mag are you taking? If it is magnesium oxide, it won't really work. If you switch to another type of magnesium, it may help.

Twitching may be sign of low blood sugar. It is not unusual for people in your age group to start showing insulin resistance.
Fasting sugar may still be good when this starts. Insulin resistance can lead to low blood sugars that come and go during the day.

We have a Peripheral Neuropathy forum here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=20

This is my magnesium information thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138

Also you might want to check the new info on Vit D... low D is very hard on people, and this video sheds new light on disease states and vit D deficiency:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o

If you are really low in D, you may not be absorbing the calcium you take well enough.

SSRI drugs and SNRIs like Cymbalta may cause movement disorders over time, because the brain changes and affects dopamine levels. Some people get cramping, twitching etc from them. (usually after 6mos of use or so). A better drug choice would be amitriptyline which has recently shown to enhance healing at the peripheral level.

Shingles may stay subacute and active in nerves when there are no lesions visible. The only way to check this is to take the antiviral drug for a longer period of time. You can have blood tests to reveal the HVZ titres and see if they are still elevated. The amino acid L-lysine 1000 mg a day may help sequester it too.

See you over at PN here! ;)

Hello Doug and welcome to NT!

I'm sorry that you're having so many problems in the wake of your Shingles. Anyone who has ever had them can testify to just how nasty they can be.If you haven't already found it the link for Shingles is:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum91.html

Thank you for your help
 

Thank you Mrs D for your post, i will do some checking on my type of mag. and also could my b 12 lvls still be a problem if the dr. says they are normal and also i have had my viit. d lvls cked they were only 28 so the ruhmy gave me a pack dose of d which i took for 2 mo. they came up a little so i think even though my d is ok it is still low. I also plan as you said to get the hvz testing done. Thank you again for your help.
Doug

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/r...tothegroup.gif




Hi Doug, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with a wonderful group of people.

We're so glad you found us! :)

Welcome to NT

Just look around. The info is overwhelming. Let us know if you have trouble getting around. We'll try our best to help you find answers.

Keep us posted.

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with our loving group. There are a number of friends will to assist as we can. Just let us know how we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene:hug:

Hi Doug,

Are you still active here?

I have kind of the same as you. Would be nice to chat to you, but guess you might have left this forum since the post is like 10 years old.

Br John

Hi Johnne

Welcome to NeuroTalk :).

I hope that you will find the community both knowledgeable and supportive.

Best wishes.