Re: Diabetic Neurophathy (was: I am really scared..)To Renee
From: Renee (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 17 Jan 2002 07:45:21 -0800
Barbara,
Remember that I'm not a physician. But, I'll contribute what I can.
The test you had done at the vascular lab was for your venous circulation.
That is what comes up from your legs to your heart.
I do believe that Elavil is an anti-depressant, but it is used a lot for nerve
pain type things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I don't think that your herbalist's theory is correct. PCOSers tend to have
very small cysts all over the surface of the ovaries. We may have large
cysts, but it's less common. But, to get that response as you describe it,
they would have to be in just the right spot, on both sides. I don't think
that's probable.
I'm with you that the gravity dependency is significant. That would rule out
arterial insufficiency (that gets pale with elevation, then cherry/brick red
upon lowering down below the heart, then it resolves a little bit later.
People with arterial insufficiency prefer their legs dependent, because
gravity helps blood flow. However, your description of claudication (pain
with walking) is consistent with arterial insuffiency, where the pain is
muscle being damaged because the blood flow is not sufficient for metabolic
need. Walking can improve circulation through the development of new
collateral circulation.
I'm sorry, but I don't have a good answer for you about what could be causing
the problem. My only suggestion is to keep trying doctors. I don't know if
this is feasible for you financally, but it might be helpful to travel to one
of the major cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver?) to go to a prestigious
university medical center and see a different physician.
Sorry I wasn't more help.
Renee
> Hello Renee,
>
> I was wondering if you can answer a question,as I am not getting the
> answers from my specialists.
>
> I had been sent to the vascular lab at the St, BOniface hospital with
> one of the top vascular specialists last year to rule out venous
> insufficiency and his name was Dr. Carter,apparantly he does lectures
> and studiess.
> Anyways,I had all these tests done,where first I had to dress all warm
> and he made me do different positions while constricting on my wrists
> and I had to make fists etc(long story,I am certain you know what I
> mean),this test took well over an hour,and then I was sent to lay on
> this bed with a so called ultrasound of my legs and blood pressure cuffs
> on my feet.This was a while back,and I was so nervous,that I cannot even
> remember alot.All I do know is it was painless,but definitely time
> consuming.
> My tests came back normal.
> MY legs still turn purple and bluish,but,this is the but...only when
> standing or sitting...when raised,they are of a normal color like the
> rest of me,which is pretty fair.I was told that it is Raynauds Phenomena
> related to lupus,but I tend to disagree,as they do not turn colors when
> exposed to cold or hot...only upong say like gravity induced,so to
> speak.
> Then I get an 'OPINION' FROM THIS HERBALIST SAYING IT CAN BE CYSTS
> PRESSING ON VEINS OR SOMETHING THAT ARE CAUSING THIS.MY MD disagrees and
> so do I.
> Now,can this be caused from my diabetes insipidus that cleared up on
> it's own?
> I was told not>
> I don't know.
> Any advice would be appreciated,as the pains are somewhar what you
> describe,but I actually am hyper sensitive to feelings,so I would
> definitely feel if I had stepped on something.They get numb at times,but
> only when standing in one place for a while.Sometimes it feels as if
> there is a nerve that is sending out some impulses thruout my
> legs,,other times,they are so sensitive to even pantyhose...everything
> bothers them,especially when I have bare legs...
>
> My grandmother had the problem with on of her legs in the early
> eighties---mind-you,she was seventy something and she had an artificial
> artery put into her leg.
> She had had this problem for years,and told the cause was smoking.
>
> Anyways,I know I am off the tracks here a bit,but I don't know who else
> would be more informed than you to possibly answer or help me with
> this,as this is one of my major complaints.
> I do understand about the small and large vessels,and was told that if
> you have pains while walking,then it is better to walk more,therefore
> the small ones will open up(I think the collateral vessels),,not sure.
>
> I was told that I don't have arterialsclerosis...so what the heck is
> this?
>
> The pains are somewhat electrical,but also like a pulsating
> toothache....times,I cannot take it.
> Thanks for reading this.
> I know it does not make alot of sense,as I am hald asleep,but read your
> post and had to ask.
> Oh and Elavil....isn't that an anti-depressant?Does it work for pain?
> Warm Regards!
>
> --
> Sincerely,
> Barbra Camara
>
--
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---
Don't follow in the footsteps of the masters. Seek what they sought.
--Zen saying
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