multiple symptom frustration

[frustrated6925]

I am so tired of going to doctors with all of my symptoms individually being treated to no avail. My father has PAD and has had stints in both major areies inhis legs and recently haf bypass surgery for reocclusion? I have mentioned this to my doctors but they all feel it is irrelevant. I expeirience a multitude of symptoms whihc seem to me are rlated to one another and could be related to cirulation but I am no expert. So here goes: I get what I guess is RLS as it is virtually impossible for me to go to sleep sometimes becasue my legs particlarly the right wants to draw up or ache, when I walk on the treadmill or use the eliptical my feet go numb, I have a toe (3) on my left foot that is more often than not numb and white, if i get even a little cold my hands and feet go numb and it takes forever to warm up. I also have a wired burning, pricly , itchy sensation in my forerms (currently just the left) with no bumpy rash but redness which has heretofo not responded to any of the treatments prescribed (topical and oral steroids, no sun exposure etc.  I have recurring twitching in my right eylid which stays drawn up for sveeral seconds at at time and my pupils will often not be the same size. I get really tired yet have great difficulty sleeping. I have chronic constipation for which I take miralax as well as a hiatal? hernia and acid reflux for whihc I take ranitidine and Nexium. I have allergies to molds, mildews, and pollens for which I take zyrtec-d.  I know that all of these symptoms are not necessarily related but combined they are often overwhelming. I truly believe that the wierd fibrglasss feeling arm thing, RLS, the numbness in  my etremities are related however. I am 43, I exercise regularly (at least 4xweek for 1.5hrs cardio and strnegth). I am overwieght by about 20 pounds but have been losing about a pound a week. I am not crazy but so often physicians act like you are or you'r etrying to get meds or something. Finding a dcotor not a group has proven very difficult as well and with all the medical reforms with insurance etc. it seems Drs. just dont have or want to take the time to lsiten and look deeper. Please help point me  in osme reasonable direction. Frustrated in Cali.

[Red_Star]

Forgot to add, that magnesium is available on request here in Australia.

[Red_Star]

I can relate personally and from second hand experiences on quite a few of Kresser's articles. Medical professionals may not agree with his articles but then i don't agree always agree with medical professionals. :) I didn't know any country tested magnesium in a basic panel so good to know at least one country does.

[erijon]

I'm sorry to comment on Chris Kessler posts, but so many of his articles have been determined to be way off base and not founded in any of his own research, rather just his interpretation of the research done by others  which just gives him the appearance of riding on other's coat tails rather than doing the work himself. He studies the work others have done and pulls out the parts that support whichever position he is working on and uses that only, out of context in many cases.

Just what the medical professionals out here think of his work, I tend to agree.

[erijon]

Wow, that's one of the standard items looked for on a normal 10 panel test done here along with a lipid profile. Will they test for chemical levels upon request there?

[Red_Star]

Magnesium is not on a basic profile and it's rarely tested here in Australia. I had severe magnesium deficiency for 2 years, moderate deficiency for 6 years and early magnesium deficiency symptoms going back before the year 2000. I had to diagnose myself and have a calcified mitral heart valve as a memento.

[jrbon]

Of course, I do not believe all what is written in the net, but the Spanish Agency of Medicament sent an alert last year to doctors to check for Magnesium deficiency on long term patients on PPIs. Might be in USA, but the magnesium levels are not normally included in the standard blood tests in Spain.

Similarly there are many reports showing big increase of broken hips because under PPIs you cannot assimilate the Calcium.

As I said, checking for the levels of key nutrients should be the first step.

Jesus

[grendslori]

I have to agree with erijon; in the respect at least that if the OP has seen a doctor and has had a basic bloodwork profile done, if there were a magnesium problem severe enough to cause all of these symptoms, it would have shown up easily on that bloodwork and his doctor would have addressed that problem. A lot of the problems the OP is facing, a lot of people have the same problem with things like muscles twitching ect; heck, that happens to me all the time as well, it doesn't automatically mean there is something major going on. The best thing to do is to see a neurologist and get his opinion. That way you know one way or the other. A rhuematologist should also be considered as Raynaurds could be an issue. Has your thyroid been checked? That can play havoc on the body if it's off.

[Red_Star]

My mother was on nexium for 5 years and tagament for 20 years prior to that so Chris Kresser's article on acid blockers is spot on.

[erijon]

I would not put much stock in anything by Chris Kessler, he is NOT a doctor, does NOT have a degree in medicine and DOES NOT practice medicine. He is an acupuncturist and that is all.

There is a possible link to magnesium deficiency and PPIs, but it's not the magnesium levels in your blood that causes side effects, it's the amount in your cells. If you doctor has done a basic blood test it would gave shown any issues with your magnesium levels. Ask your doctor, don't take the word of a professional article author on the Internet.

Jon

[jrbon]

I fully agree with Red-Start, I think that the Ranitidine and PPI are producing you a deficiency in Magnesium, Vitamin B and Calcium... that can be the reason for most of your symptoms.

And can be easily checked with a blood test, that also should include Vitamin D (just to cover your allergies).

What surprises me is that you are convinced that you have RLS and say that never have gone to a neurologist... so how do you know that you have RLS?

Jesus

[frustrated6925]

I appreciate your responses. Ive never heard of a magnesium deficiency nor have I considered a nerologist my doctor certinly hasnt. Its always exercise more and try to reduce stress!

[Red_Star]

Problem: Nexium and Ranitidine.

Black box warning on proton pump inhibitors (eg: prilosec, nexium): Hypomagnesemia (magnesium deficiency).

Your symptoms listed under: Magnesium deficiency

There is a good reason why acid blockers are short term drugs only and why nexium is also called the purple pill of misery. Feeling miserable yet? :)

Digestive enzyme supplements are great to help prevent acid reflux conditions. You can purchase these enzymes at health food stores. See the article "Digestive Enzymes - King of Indigestion, Bloating and Acid Reflux Remedies." by Lorn Allison for more information.

"There are four primary consequences of acid stopping drugs:

Increased bacterial overgrowth
Impaired nutrient absorption
Decreased resistance to infection
Increased risk of cancer and other diseases"

To read more: How your antacid drug is making you sick (Part A) by Chris Kresser

"It has been found that 4 out of 5 people in the US (or 80%) are deficient in magnesium. If you are experiencing 2 or 3 of the following symptoms, you probably are one of them.

- heart palpitations, heart arrythmias
- chest tightness
- urinary spasms
- constipation
- menstrual cramps, premenstrual irritability
- difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat
- insomnia
- light sensitivity, loud noise sensitivity
- high blood pressure
- numbness, tingling, zips, zaps and other vibratory sensations
- being uptight or prone to temper
- muscle twitches, soreness, cramps, spasms, tension, tightness
- back aches, neck pain
- headaches, migraines
- jaw joint problems
- needing to sigh a lot, unable to take a deep breath
- hiccups
- constipation
- leg spasms, charlie horses, restless leg syndrome
- anxiety, panic attacks
- hyperactivity
- angina"

To read more: Best Magnesium Citrate - How to Fix Heart Palpitations or Irregular Heart Beat...

[erijon]

I doubt that your family history of PAD has anything to do with your condition. Nor do your meds seem out of line.RLS is usually due to an iron deficiency in your system or some form of peripheral neuropathy, a form of damage to your nervous system which could be from something like an impaired or pinched nerve at your hip. Have you been referred for a nuerlogist? That might be the next step.

Jon