Anybody here have neuropathy? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel4me · #1 07-17-2006, 04:19 PM

I went to the neurologist today because in the past few months i have been having great difficulty walking, standing, keeping my balance, and climbing stairs. I've lost over 30 lbs since April without even trying. My muscles in my arms, legs, even my fingers have been decreasing in mass. It is getting worse every day. I had a nerve conductivity test and some other test with the same machine, with the Dr. sticking me with needles in my left arm and leg, and soon i will have a nerve biopsy.

The neurologist says my nerves are agressively being eaten away by something, either from my diabetes, from my own immune system, or surprisingly from my cholesterol meds. He took me off my Lipitor and TriCor.

Has anyone here had any experience with neuropathy? If so, did treatment make getting around easier?

BENZ-LGB · #2 07-17-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel4me

I went to the neurologist today because in the past few months i have been having great difficulty walking, standing, keeping my balance, and climbing stairs. I've lost over 30 lbs since April without even trying. My muscles in my arms, legs, even my fingers have been decreasing in mass. It is getting worse every day. I had a nerve conductivity test and some other test with the same machine, with the Dr. sticking me with needles in my left arm and leg, and soon i will have a nerve biopsy.

The neurologist says my nerves are agressively being eaten away by something, either from my diabetes, from my own immune system, or surprisingly from my cholesterol meds. He took me off my Lipitor and TriCor.

Has anyone here had any experience with neuropathy? If so, did treatment make getting around easier?

Bill, sorry to hear about your condition. I knew that diabetes could affect nerves, but I had no idea that Lipitor could have the same (or similar) effect.

Hope that you get better soon and please keep us posted on what the doctors say.

Obnoxio · #3 07-17-2006, 04:36 PM

I have a neuropathy in my left foot from a motorcycle accident in 1998. For the first few years, my foot was in a constant state of pins and needles, overtly sensative, no movement of my toes, and a general pain in the ass (or foot, your call). I have been taking prescribed medication, and some non prescribed as well. Its improving over time, but I think its going to be with me for life. In hindsight, I wish the ortho guy had gone ahead with the amputation, as I have a worthless knee and cant really do any type of physical training, like running or swimming. There are some fantastic prosthetic devices out there now, and above the knee artificial legs are in some case better than the original.

I know its not much help to you, but I empathise with you, and hope they can find something to get you on the right track. My left foot gives me fits, I cant imagine everything acting the way my foot does.

Mike Murrell · #4 07-17-2006, 04:46 PM

Bill:

Your doctor may have pointed you at the following. In case he didn't...

http://www.neuropathy.org/site/PageServer

Hope things get better for you.

John Doe · #5 07-17-2006, 04:57 PM

Sorry to hear about your issue, Bill. I have nothing to add, other than I had a friend once that had a similar degenerative condition, and his neurologist put him on a bunch of subligual liquid vitamins that were supposed to support the nerve regeneration, and this seemed to at least slow the degeneration and lessened his pain. I won't even hazzard a guess as to what I remember the vitamins involved, but you may ask your neurologist about this type of therapy.

Maybe this will be your ticket to getting some of the kind with a 'scrip.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Diesel4me · #6 07-17-2006, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have the pins and needles in both hands and feet right now, with numbness in my fingertips. Dr. said that diabetic neuropathy usually does not work anywhere near this fast. I was watching the Lipitor commercial this morning and they tell you to tell your Dr. if you experience any new muscle pain or weakness. I told my cardiologist twice about this and both times he said i probably had a potassium and magnesium deficiency. Didn't seem overly concerned at all.

Diesel4me · #7 07-17-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

Sorry to hear about your issue, Bill. I have nothing to add, other than I had a friend once that had a similar degenerative condition, and his neurologist put him on a bunch of subligual liquid vitamins that were supposed to support the nerve regeneration, and this seemed to at least slow the degeneration and lessened his pain. I won't even hazzard a guess as to what I remember the vitamins involved, but you may ask your neurologist about this type of therapy.

Maybe this will be your ticket to getting some of the kind with a 'scrip.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I'm taking massive doses of co-enzyme Q-10 and L Carnitine. I have been taking these for four days now. I bought a cane, but the way this is going a wheelchair can't be too far off. I also got a script for some Clonzapan or something like that, supposed to give me a feeling of euphoria while quieting the muscle tics. LOL I would really like to have a script for the kind, my dr. seems like he may lean that way.

To the person that tried to send a PM, i emptied the mailbox.

BENZ-LGB · #8 07-17-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel4me

I told my cardiologist twice about this and both times he said i probably had a potassium and magnesium deficiency. Didn't seem overly concerned at all.

Doctors are not gods...you need to get on their case and nag (if you have to) until they run the right tests.

It seems that liver damage/failure is one of the risk factors associated with neuropathy. Lipitor can cause liver damage. So regular liver screening/tests is necessary for patients on Lipitor.

Keep the faith...you are still a long way off from a wheelchair.

Diesel4me · #9 07-17-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Keep the faith...you are still a long way off from a wheelchair.

Believe me i hope you're right. I'm having to use my arms to lift my legs into the car, or when i climb into the shower. I'm just freaking out on how fast this happened. Last month I could climb the three steps into the building where i pay my water bill, this month i can't.

BENZ-LGB · #10 07-17-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel4me

Believe me i hope you're right. I'm having to use my arms to lift my legs into the car, or when i climb into the shower. I'm just freaking out on how fast this happened. Last month I could climb the three steps into the building where i pay my water bill, this month i can't.

Bill, may I ask how old you are? And how long you have been on Lipitor and howlong you have had diabetes?

It seems like the progression of your symptoms is way too fast.

I am not a doctor, though I play one on TV...no, seriously, I am not a doctor, but I have litigated (many years ago) medical malpractice cases.

It just seems like your symptoms have progressed way too fast...you may want to get a second or a even a third opinion.

Diesel4me · #11 07-17-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Bill, may I ask how old you are? And how long you have been on Lipitor and howlong you have had diabetes?

It seems like the progression of your symptoms is way too fast.

I am not a doctor, though I play one on TV...no, seriously, I am not a doctor, but I have litigated (many years ago) medical malpractice cases.

It just seems like your symptoms have progressed way too fast...you may want to get a second or a even a third opinion.

I'm 40, i have been on and off of Lipitor since my heart attack on Dec 31st 2004. I have been diabetic for only 5 years, and i keep my blood glucose under control. I have found several people on the web that have the same symptoms that i do and they say it is from the Lipitor, there are already several lawsuits underway about this. Here's one:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13218981/

BENZ-LGB · #12 07-17-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel4me

I'm 40, i have been on and off of Lipitor since my heart attack on Dec 31st 2004. I have been diabetic for only 5 years, and i keep my blood glucose under control. I have found several people on the web that have the same symptoms that i do and they say it is from the Lipitor, there are already several lawsuits underway about this. Here's one:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13218981/

Yeah you are too young and your diabetes is not long-term either.

I'd suspect a chemical agent, such as Lipitor.

Good luck...and keep us posted.

Kuan · #13 07-17-2006, 10:12 PM

**** Bill, I had no idea you had a heart attack.

At one time, I thought I might have had a nerve problem. The only thing I came up with was a B12 problem. They say if the moons on your fingernails dissappear then you're really in trouble.

It's such a long shot, the B12 problem, but maybe. I hope you get better man.

Peace, take care.

Dee8go · #14 07-17-2006, 11:21 PM

Often this is a problem for women who have mastectomies and have some of their lymph nodes removed from under their arms. I suppose this has to do with the fact that the surgeon has to cut through nerves to get to the lymph nodes.

raymr · #15 07-18-2006, 09:21 AM

Certain vitamin supplements like B12 can help, or at least slow it down. Massage therapy can help relieve the pain and keep the circulation going. Exercise as much as you can to keep the rest of your body as strong as possible. My wife's aunt has this and she has a lot of trouble walking, but she's dealing with it, and it hasn't gotten worse.