Anyone familiar???? - Neuropathy Message Board

aarodriguez · 03-17-2005, 07:54 AM

Hey,
My name is Ariel. This whole Neuro disease is new to me. It just started 2 months ago. I went to the Dr. because I had a concern. I felt like my body was abnormal. I would have difficulty doing cardiovascular activites, such as running or dancing. I could run for about 3 minutes and then, I would get light headed. I would also get chest pains though, my breathing is normal. When I went to the Dr, there was another concern. Apparently, I have hyperreflexia too. This Dr then referred me to a Neurologist. Apparently my symptoms are hyperreflexia, clonus, paresis and spasticity. I also do not feel the vibration on my legs. I have had several MRI's done, including one of the spinal cord with contrast. There is nothing abnormal about my findings. I also had an SSEP done, results being good. Aparently it takes 37 mili seconds for my body to recieve a signal. I am still waiting on some results related to HTLV and Copper deficiencies. My big question is: I went to the Dr because I had difficulty doing cardio activities and all this shows up???? Any one got something similar to this? I would like to know if there is some one else with this. I guess it would be nice to relate to someone.

******** Well, I guess I got a breakthrough yesterday. The weirdest thing happened. At 9:30pm I was sitting down talking with some friends. Suddenly I noticed I was slurring. I wasn't capable of talking normally. Also, I started feeling loss of coordination. It seedmed like I needed to concentrate really hard to do anything and, I couldn't even do it right. The loss of coordination affected everything I did, from holding a cup to walking. Now, I do not drink but, I guess you can say I was drunk last night. Could all this be related? (03/22/05)

Bob A · 03-17-2005, 09:16 PM

Ariel,
You need to have a stress test. Start with an EKG. There could be a blockage somewhere in your arteries.

eep2 · 03-21-2005, 07:38 AM

Ariel,
I suffered a severe vitamin b12 deficiency, and your symptoms have some similarities. I have hyperreflexia due to central nervous system damage, and also the loss of vibration sense in the legs. Also, fatigue and shortness of breath were problems too. Have you had your vitamin b12 levels checked?

aarodriguez · 03-22-2005, 12:14 AM

Yes, I did have them checked. My B12, B6 and Folate were normal. My copper was 71, which some places consider it normal, others boarderline normal, cutoff being 70. Are you being treated eep2??? If so, how?

eep2 · 03-23-2005, 11:48 AM

Ariel,
I would ask for the exact numbers on your vitamin b12 test from your doctor. The "normal" range is usually regarded as 250-1100 but people who are chronically on the low end of normal have had neuropathies. A more sensitive test for b12 deficiency might be to have your methylmalonic acid tested.

I currently get a cyanocobalamin (vitamin b12) shot once a month. I'm also taking a daily sublingual (under the tongue) 1000 mcg methylcobalamin pill. Methylcobalamin, though harder to find, is supposed to be better utilized by the body. This is my treatment since the start of symptoms.

I'm a 37 year old male, and my overt neurological symptoms started a little over two years ago. Since that time I've had a significant amount of improvement with fatigue, energy level, and balance, but I'm a long way from what I was, in that my spinal cord was damaged through the loss of what they call "joint position sense". Standing in place unsupported for any length of time causes an unbalanced feeling, as does any vigorous exercise.