HELP!! Scared, concerned.

[GP1970]

Hello, a lot of stuff going on with me and now that I have some hard evidence, I am a bit nervous.

About me, I am a 38 year old male with diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes for almost 15 years now. My A1C runs in the low to mid 6's but I have had a lot of other issues happening. I have been chasing a dragon with these issues with my sleep being the main problem. I don't have an issue falling asleep but rather staying asleep. I have recorded myself anywhere from 8 to 12 times a night that I wake up. I did have two sleep studies in the last year and there is no apnea of any kind. I am guessing because of this, it's the reason I am tired all day long which as added in a whole bunch of other symptoms. Here is everything that is going on.

Fatigue
Muscle weakness at times
Irritable
Constant Sinus congestion
Periodic constipation (take a bit of effort when I have to go)
Blurred Vision (happens even when sugar is normal)
Zero Libido
Disturbed sleep
Shortness of breath (sometimes)
Trouble concentrating
Poor short term memory
Muscle spasms/twitching
Muscles tight, they always feel like they are on (in a contracted state). I have to force them to relax (hands, legs)
Joints ache
Temperature intolerance (Hot flashes, sometimes sensitive to cold)
Blackout (2 of them 5 minutes apart at 3am in the morning). Possible low sugar but it was 75 just before it happened. I did feel nausea at the time as well.

I had previously seen an ENT and Pulminologist for the sleep but after talking with my cardiologist and Endocrinologist they both recommended I see a Neurologist which I did. I was fearful I had MS so to rule that out he had me go for an MRI and a complete blood test.

The MRI revealed a few things. First, I have tiny cysts in my sinus's and a couple other issues. Seems irrelevent and probably nothing from what I read.

I will get these wrong since I don't have the report in front of me but the MRI also showed a slight Cerebellar Tonsillar Ectopia of 2mm marked as an incidental finding but follow up with Neurolgical exam.

The last thing it showed was a possible fenestration of the proximal basilar artery and recommended an MRA to rule out a vascular legion and some other stuff. The MRA came back  with no evidence of aneurysm or high flow vascular malfomation, no stenosis or vessel occulsion is appreciated. It does state though "Incidental note made pf partial fenestration of the proximal basilar artery."

The Blood work is not 100% done but came back with most of the tests in which there are a few abnormal readings. Here are the abnormal readings

GAD Antibody: 5.6%     Normal range is 0.00 to 1.45%
MCHC: 36.1        Normal range is 32.0-35.0 Gm/dl
Monocytes: 11.6     Normal range 3.0 to 10.0%
Eosinohpils: 6.8     Normal range 0.0 to 4.0%
Basophils: 1.1     Normal range 0.0-1.0%

My questions are, do I need to worry about the Tonsillar Ectopia getting worse by dropping past 2mm?
Is the partial Fenestration of the Proximal Basilar Artery something I need to watch with my cardiologist?
The GAD Antibodies I know could be present because of my Diabetes but the fact they are also associated to things like Stiff Persons Syndrome I am scared. is there further tests to confirm what may be causing the them?

I do have an appointment with the Dr. but not for another week. This weekend is not going to be fun.

Please help.

Thanks.

[Carol in PA]

One thing I noticed with your list of symptoms is that some of them may be relieved with supplemental magnesium.
The tight muscles and muscle twitching are symptoms of low magnesium within the cells.  A blood test for magnesium can be normal, even when the level within the muscle and nerve cells are low.

I try to get 400 to 600 mg of magnesium daily.  Source Naturals Ultra-Mag is  good, as it contains several of the forms that are more easily absorbed in the intestines.
Also, almonds are high in magnesium.  You can buy a one pound bag of almonds at the grocery;  eat several ounces per day.  
This is something you can do for yourself, as your physicians don't seem to be aware of it.  
You can google for magnesium deficiency, twitch, to find related information.

Wishing you the best,
Carol

[GP1970]

Thanks for the info. Not sure what my magnesium level is but I do take a multivitamin that has 150mg of magniesum in it.

other things to note, my other blood test showed twice the normal limit of B12 which I have been told is harmless and also my Vitamin D was a little low.

[Carol in PA]

Magnesium is bulky, so multivitamins usually don't put alot in their tablets, as it would make them too large.
Also, most of the multivitamins I've seen used Magnesium oxide, which is more difficult to absorb.  It's cheap, which is probably why they use it.

The Source Naturals Ultra-Mag contains magnesium citrate, taurinate, malate, glycinate and succinate.
A person I know who started using this came back and told me that she could tell a difference between this and the magnesium she used to take.
Magnesium supplements will also help bowel regularity...although if you take too much, you'll get loose stools.
Many people find that taking the magnesium at bedtime helps them to relax and fall asleep.

If you supplement the Vitamin D, which helps the the calcium to stay in the bones (so that you don't get osteoporosis), get Vitamin D3.   You can also take cod liver oil, which is a good source of Vitamins A and D.   Egg yolks have vitamin D too.

The Importance of Magnesium to Human Nutrition
by Michael B. Schachter M.D.
http://www.mbschachter.com/importance_of_magnesium_to_human.htm

(If the url is missing, you can google for the title and author.)
Carol

[GP1970]

Thanks for the info Carol

I am starting to put a few of these things together. With the monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils all elevated are a definitive marker for something off. With the MRI showing some mucosal thickening and tiny cysts in my sinuses, I am hoping it's something simple as allergies causing the elevated levels. The GAD antibodies is what is making me nervous. My Dr. had mentioned Stiff Man Syndrome and when I looked it saw that the antibodies are what are measured to check for it. With them that high I am a bit worried.

I hope a Dr. weighs in here soon.

[GP1970]

Any thoughts from a Dr.?

[GP1970]

I really wish a Dr. would look at this.

[Chaplain_D]

"One thing I noticed with your list of symptoms is that some of them may be relieved with supplemental magnesium.
The tight muscles and muscle twitching are symptoms of low magnesium within the cells.  A blood test for magnesium can be normal, even when the level within the muscle and nerve cells are low."


Thank you for the comments you made here in this board.
Are you a health care worker? Do you have training in recommending
supplemental products?

I am not being nasty, but I just need to know if someone begins to take magnesium and feels better, then quitting their prescribed medication. I for one would be greatful if a
doctor or practicing Nurse Practitioner is monitoring these sites.

Again, I am not trying to be a smart---, I am having some problems with
involuntary muscle contractions, both during the day and worse at night. I also have begun to have some serious dreams where I am fighting someone all the time.
Needles to say, my wife is not pleased since I have swung my arms out and hit her.
Thankfully, I didn't hurt her, I just scared her very bad. Now, I am sleeping in the guest bedroom, until I can find out what causes it.

Why don't you go to a doctor? I have been to doctors, one says it is the medication I am on. I will be on that medication all the rest of  my life. It is a narcotic pain reliever.

Do you honestly believe that magnesium supplements can help with
involuntary muscle contractions. Both of my doctors (Specilist) blame the other because of the medication each of them prescribe (perscibe ?), yet I can't get them to understand that it is becoming a serious problem with my marriage and my health;
mentally and physically.

Thank you very much,
Rodger (Chaplain)

[mgriff06]

I know it sounds kind of like an umbrella answer, but Lyme could explain most of your symptoms.  You've probably already been tested, but if not, I would look into it.  Good luck!