Just introducing Myself
 

Hi – I’ve been lurking around the forum here for about a month now, but have only posted a time or two. I’ve been reading & digesting a ton of information from the old posts, and a few of you (Mrs. D, etc) are almost starting to feel like old friends. So, I figured, I should at least introduce myself.

I’m turning 53 tomorrow, and I live with a few ongoing health issues - including IBS, anxiety issues, and about a 15 year history of occasional vague numbness/tingling in the extremities. (The numbness/tingling was thoroughly checked out years ago, but labelled “idiopathic”. These symptoms have continued to come and go a time or two a year)

In July of 2014, I started getting some stiffness/tingling in the legs which progressed into twitching, then cramping. It spread to the arms and other areas as well. After seeing four doctors, and having numerous neurological exams, blood/urine tests, 3 MRI’s, somatosensory evoked potentials testing, EMG, and nerve conduction studies – they told me they could find "no neurological cause for my symptoms”. They also left me with the feeling they thought it was “all in my head”. I was prescribed Gabapentin, which seems to control the twitching and especially the cramping fairly well. I tried to ignore the symptoms, and just move forward with life, and over several weeks my strength returned pretty much to normal.

Then, about 2 months ago, my feet started burning. I mentioned this to my primary doctor as well as my neurologist – and both said it was probably caused by the same “idiopathic” problem that was causing my other symptoms. I was offered anti-depressants, but turned them down since I’ve had very bad experiences with them.

About a month ago, the burning feet got very bad, and since the doctors don’t seem to be able to help – I started doing my own research and ended up here (among many other sites).

Based on the knowledge and experiences the members here have shared over the years of past posts, I’ve made significant dietary changes and started on some vitamins and supplements. Obviously, it’s too soon to tell what the long term outlook is for me. I’ve got a couple doctor appointments this week to push for some additional testing to determine a cause. But since I’ve started on the supplements and dietary changes the symptoms have at least stabilized. (Considering how fast things were getting worse, stabilizing the symptoms was really important, or I wouldn’t be able to keep working much longer.)

Thanks again to all the past posters, for the great information you’ve provided. I’m looking forward to continuing my “education” here, and hopefully I’ll be able to pass on my experiences to others as I move forward with managing (and hopefully one day recovering from) this illness.

Welcome, and an early Happy Birthday! And welcome to the 53 club as well. I just joined three weeks ago. Apparently we're reaching the age for our bodies to fall apart. :rolleyes:

Welcome Ragtop262. :Wave-Hello:

Tell me about it.... Just went to my primary doc today to follow up on some issues. I had to write them all down so I wouldn't forget them. The Doctor kind of rolled his eyes when he saw me pull that list out of my pocket, but to his credit he did go over each one with me.

Yes, the eye rolling is so unprofessional. Guess when they don't understand how really awful and scary neurological symptoms are, it happens.

I have tried to get the same sex physician, when I can, since I have had better luck.

It took a positive skin biopsy to get some decent interaction for me. I had skin disturbance over and over again.

Hope you get better soon.

"Nothing like being told your body problem is your head problem."

Lazy doctors and/or narcissistic ones who can't just say: I don't know, but I will try to find out."

Take care.

Baba222,
It's late here, but I wondered what this type of physician was doing for Neuropathy issues before I realised my own stupidity. I'm still laughing at myself.

Dave.

In all seriousness Ragtop, are you receiving treatment for your Anxiety issues? And you say you have turned down ADs, is that an rx for Depression or using the side effects to treat symptoms. If the former, and you do not have treatment for Anxiety, I urge you to seek some. These conditions make physical symptoms worse and feedback to increase their own levels of severity if left unchecked.
As an aside, I'm also a 53er living in the body and brain of a 90 year old - but my mind is still 23.

Dave.

Dave:
I've been treated for the anxiety issues off and on for years (that's why I know about how the antidepressants affect me). For the past couple years the anxiety hasn't been bad. I have lorazepam for use as needed, but only use it once a month on average.

One doctor recommended tricyclics or Cymbalta to treat the neuropathy symptoms. No thank you, unless it gets a lot worse (lets hope not).

Not something I can take but I've heard of Neurologists recommending cymbalta for Neuropathy...what upsets me is when we have a voice of con they get very :mad: and not want to help.....further.

That doctor response of eye rolling.... has a name. I learned it at a seminar for Prozac years ago. It is called "the organ recital" by doctors. The shrink who was being paid by Lilly to lecture those of us (mostly doctors, but also other health care professionals too) said in essence that when the organ recital begins, that is the time for Prozac...the first "safe" antidepressant!

I'll never forget the tone he used, demeaning those patients!