vitamins and veraprimil

[saluki]

Hi everyone,
First of all. As depressed as I was. I'm finally able to
celebrate. I've gotten into the car by myself today and
was able to drive for the first time sinse July! My sister put
something akin to a pool cue ball on the steering wheel so I was able to drive with one arm but more importantly I was able to lift the bad arm and hand up to the indicator and use it. And even more than that it was all managed without any
pain killers!

About 14 days after my last sgb I was still in such constant pain and swelling and so despondant. I started talking to my breast cancer buddies and foun that they were using alot of vitamins and certainsupplements to deal with chemo which
sometimes causes peripheral neurapathy. I tried one called
glutamine that didn't agree with me and what do you know?
Its a precursor of GABA sound familiar maybe gabapentin
(neuronton) any way its an important neurotransmitter. But then again I could not take neuronton. It gave me tremors.

So I started with your normal vitamins except I took extra
ester-C, I'm talking about 1 gram. I thought it was my imagination dut there seemed to be a lessening of the pain.
A few days later I started taking magnesium ( more magnesium than calcium which I have to take anyway for osteopenia. And then there was no question about it. I was in less pain, less spasm and needed less meds.

Nancy- This may be of interest to you.

Now here is the kicker-- Turns out that" magnesium plays a role in vasodilation and is thought to behave like a calcium
channel blocker at the cellular level". (Calan, Veraprimil ect.) Also interesting is that" soaking in epsom salts helps as the magnesium in itself acts as a calcium channel blocker reducing pain,inflamation, edema and the breakdown of tissues". There is a Dr. in the UK who has been giving infusions of magnesium for neuropathic pain.

I don't know whether any of this would work for any of you and it is trial and error and If I could find a doc who was knowledgable about supplements I surely would go to him.

And yes Pran it is B 6 that can do damage in high amounts.
I think there was a study at the university of Pa so some docs are hesitant to go over 50 mg with that one.

Cathy- I've had two blocks which not only did I not get relief but set me back with my therapy two weeks. Isn't the point of the blocks to cut down on the pain cycle in order for the physical therapist to get movement back to the site. Does it matter how that pain cycle is interupted as long as it is and the PTX can do it's job and get the circulation going and the movement back.

Thank you so much Edna for all the info especially about Dr Schwartzman. His info is hard for the layman but worth trying to plow through; also big thankyou for recopying all that great information.

By the way just thowing this out. In addition to what I mentioned above I'm taking Black Currant oil also lipoic acid
(ALA)

Anyway its been a good day.

Wishing you a happy and low pain Holiday,
Hugs, Susie L

[Jewel2]

Yeah Susie! I'm so happy you're doing better and driving!!

I'm definitely going to check into those supplements. Thanks for the info.

Julie

[Horsie Nutt]

Susie, I am soooooooooo HAPPY and THRILLED for you, Congratulations on your accomplishment! I too couldn't drive for 5 - 6 months, so I know exactly how you feel.
I hope you continue to improve on a daily basis, and have many more exciting occurences to come!

Thank you for the info on the suppliments. I'll have to look into it, and will print out your info shortly. I do take daily vitamin suppliments, but i will have to start looking into taking more suppliments to suppliment my suppliments

I am very sorry that your blocks did not help you. My guess is that you have SIP. I think I do too, though I've never discussed it with my doc, but my blocks stopped working on my pain completely, though they still improved the temp of my hand.

The purpose of the blocks is to reduce nerve activity to reduce pain, swelling, (unusual) color, and sweating changes in the extremity, and may improve mobility. A major importance to the blocks is to increase the circulation of the extremity, which aids in nerve rejuvenation. This explains the increase in the temp of the extremity. If I've left anything out here guys, please let me know.

As for PT and the pain cycle. If you can decrease the pain, then you'll be able to do more with your hand, so your PT should be able to work on increasing the circulation and mobility. Just remember, "no pain, no gain" does NOT apply to RSD! It is very important to get the circulation increased, as is the mobility, so I hope this works for you. I *would* discuss this question with your doc as I am not a doctor, and do not want to give you false information and therefore cause a worsening in your condition. Please let me know what he says about this.

Congratulations again Susie, what a wonderful christmas gift you have been given! I probably won't be around until after Christmas is over, so you guys have a Wonderful, Merry Christmas filled with warmth, love, family and friends.

<Hugs>
Cathy