Peripheral Neuropathy, Arsenic Present In Urine, HELP!

[JoshuaY46013]

I FINALLY got my heavy metals test back, it was a 24 hour pee in a jug test lol! I had to carry around the stupid jug and pee in it everytime for 24 hours!!!!!!!! It took 3 weeks for the results but here they are:

Lead UG/L 0
Lead UG/Day 0
Lead UG/G Creatinine 0

Mercury UG/L 0
Mercury UG/Day 0
Mercury UG/G Creatinine 0

Arsenic UG/L 21.2 (reference 0-35)
Arsenic UG/Day 62.5 (reference 0-50) HIGH
Arsenic UG/G Creatine 29.4 --- *no reference on paper?*

Creatinine-UR MG/DL 72
Creatinine-UR MG/Day 2,124 (reference 1,000-2,500)

What do you guys think? I know the arsenic is high, I don't understand why either?

Does anyone else have a comparable test?

Any ANY ideas would be great!
I have an apt. with my neuro Jan 12th

josh

[I_HATE_ANXIETY]

hey man,... is there a time limit that u can do this test? i think i had major exposure 2 years ago and ive been sick since,... will the test still pick up stuff? where did you get this test done,. im from canada,. can u give me more info on it please? thank you!

[Tuckamore]

The urine screen should be clear by now if you were poisoned six months ago. It passes through our urinary system fairly fast. However it could still be in your tissues. And unless you have your hair very short it could show up in a hair analysis.

That is why I raised the question of poisoning. They are "crappy" ppl, out there as saynono stated. I tend to think of them as just plain evil. The media is full of horror stories regarding what one human can and does do to another. I feel sick at heart if I hurt someones feelings. I cannot imagine committing the evil deeds that happens every second in the world...but that's another story.

I'd still give your PCP a call and ask his thoughts about your heavy metal test results. It will put your mind at ease and end the guessing game. We'll all look forward to your updates.

[saynono]

If you were poisoned by that girl's crappy boyfriend, I can only imagine what he would be doing to her should she say she was leaving him.  The best thing you can do for her is to try to find out if he was the cause and throw his sorry *** in the slammer.  Probably too late now but she should sleep with one eye open....

[JoshuaY46013]

Sorry, I just saw your post, what can I use to detox from Arsenic?  I looked around the natural supplements at wal-mart and target just to poke through.  

Thanks for all of the help guys!

[JoshuaY46013]

Here's the thing, I'm young, 22, last year I happened to get really sick, I was vomiting constantly, for months, I was always sick.  My nails quit growing for a while as well, about 6 months ago I had lines on my nails where you could tell they'd quit growing and were starting again.  

The thing is, I was living with a friend that was in a very abusive relationship, I tried to help her out and that is why I stayed, to make sure she was okay, well the guy wasn't fond of me at all, I'd never seen him hit her, I think it was because I had threatened him that If I ever did I would call the police and make sure he was put away.  I had food there that I would keep, drinks, milk, u name it.  That is when these symptoms started to appear.  

The thing is, I've since moved, lived in my apartment for a year, I am no longer sick, but have tested for arsenic, wouldn't it be out of my system by now if I were getting small or large doses?  This is ALL hypothetical, I'm not saying it did or it didn't, but shouldn't it be clear by now IF this was the cause?

They're still together, I never technically "resided" with her, but I stuck around, she's pregnant and still with this guy, what can you do?

[Mollyrae]

Hi:

Actually poisoning did come to my mind. You just never know these days. Who is cooking your food?....Just a thought.

Molly

[concerned621]

Try to switch from bottled water to distilled water. Bottled water depending on which brand often comes from rivers in large cities.  Aquafina comes from detroit river.  Distilled water is the purest water there is.  I just heard a report on NPR yesterday about chemicals we are exposed to.  Arsenic is all around us and supposedly small amounts are okay but when they  tested human tissue samples they couldn't find one person who did not test positive for arsenic. Another chemical that we are all exposed to and those of us living near airports or like me near Boeing, there is a chemical used in rocket fuel, they found that in most tissue samples.   You can also contact your local water company and request a report on the water. They should be sending you a report I believe quarterly but call and request it.  Do switch to distilled water as soon as possible and try not to use plastic bottles to drink out of.  Also if you use the microwave try not to heat things in plastic.  I never use the microwave but if you have to or like to always use microwave safe plates and bowls.  You might also consider doing a cleanse. Detoxifying your system sounds in order.  Seeing a regular doctor is great but if you can a naturopath might also be a great option.  Best of luck.

[Tuckamore]

I didn't think you were being poisoned but it is good to know that you think the same...it's a strange world!

My pain problems are directly related to a MVA...but good thought. There is no proof that I was ever exposed to arsenic but ti certainly makes sense with the practice in the late fifties, early sixties. I never noticed anything strange other than an ability to sense or know things before they happened.

Those TV series can get us thinking huh!!  

[JoshuaY46013]

I don't think I'm being poisoned, I couldn't imagine that even a possibility !!! lol.  I thought it was a coincidence because I saw that episode LAST NIGHT! lol  I couldn't edit my post so I just let it be :)

Did you ever notice anything strange when you were younger? I know small amounts of exposure for long periods of time can cause some disastrous issues?  Is it possible that any of your problems could be due to that?

[Tuckamore]

Hey Josh.

I saw that CSI episode. I've also seen other TV shows such as 20/20 and several other investigative series that have ran reports on arsenic toxicity. I am hopeful that you are not being poisoned!!!! Goodness, what a thought!

There has not been positive arsenic levels in my 24-hour urine screen. Do to some malabsorption issues I have had numerous screens. I have lived around the substance as I was raised in an old farm house and my parents had a huge farm in the late fifties and sixties. Back than this substance and other similar ones were more widely used. Little was know about the dangers.  

A hair analysis will reveal more if your physician is concerned. Yes you may have over-reacted to a degree but I do beleive it is concerning.

Again I will look forward to your updates.  

[JoshuaY46013]

Hey otis,

I've concluded that I could be over reacting, it's just bothersome that you see Arsenic in your body and you're in SO much pain that you jump to conclusions.  

I don't smoke, and I work at a Health Club as well as living in a very small town, but as you stated, Arsenic is everywhere.

I've had signs of Arsenic, I had Mee's lines, and a FEW speckled pigmentation problems, those were all 6-7 months ago tho.  I've found out that dosages that are constantly consumed over time can cause Neurological deficits, they're typically sensory damage which I've been diagnosed with.   Strange enough there was an episode of CSI that had a few victims with arsenic poisoning, what a coincidence! lol

Thanks guys for all of the help, I have an appt very soon and I'll let you guys know what's going on :)

[OtisDaMan]

First of all, don't panic. As Tuckamore pointed out, the range given by the test indicates that you are not hugely out of range. The urine test gives a good indication of *recent* exposure to arsenic, but can't tell you anything about historic exposure.

There are several ways of getting an elevated arsenic measure. If you are a heavy smoker then that would be one way of lifting arsenic concentrations. If you live in a builtup area with major traffic then the particulates in the air from the exhaust will contain arsenic. Arsenic occurs naturally in petroleum, oil and coal, so if you work in a business in which these are regularly handled you might get an elevated reading for arsenic. Older rat poisons used to use it (ratsac), and timber treatments typically contain some arsenic. It is virtually impossible to avoid a small concentration of arsenic in the body obtained from the environment.

Finally, the test reading could be wrong.

It will be interesting to see what the doctor has to say.

All the best,
OtisDaMan

[saynono]

Have you had any dental work done before this started?  I have read a recent article about some quackpot dentists who still use arsenic in dental materials.  I think it was for a root canal but I am not sure.

[Tuckamore]

As I said earlier each lab has their own ranges.

Your lab provides their normal range which is 0-50. It is revealed as a reference number,  "Arsenic UG/Day 62.5 (reference 0-50)"  So don't be concerned with the 25 ug/day that you found elsewhere. That number represents that labs "normal."

Also don't hesitate to contact your physician now with your concerns.

Tuck

[JoshuaY46013]

I haven't spoke to the doctor about it yet, I got the results yesterday and by the standards on the paper on some aspects the Arsenic was high, to me that was a bit scary considering Arsenic is a poison.  I've done a bit of research and one article said that 25 ug/day is considered high and mine is 62.5 ug/day.  

I have an appt. with the doctor Jan. 12th, I would assume that my levels are considered "High", but not worrysome?

Thank you so much Tuck for all of the help, I really appreciate it.

[Tuckamore]

I also found this, "Ingesting very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Exposure to lower levels can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and feet."

So it does sound like arsenic may cause the symptoms that you have been experiencing. However it is difficult to know if that is what has caused your condition or not. I have done a lot of searching to find actual lab values and their meanings but I have not had a lot of success. Most labs have their own criteria and ranges. If you know which lab preformed this 24-hour UA try calling them and see what if any information they will give you. I'll look again when I have more time.

[JoshuaY46013]

No, it doesn't.  I drink bottled water only for that very reason.  I'm not sure if this is the cause of my Neuropathy tho, I don't know if it's a large enough dose or what?!?!

[Tuckamore]

Hey Josh,

I am far from and expert but to my knowledge the only way arsenic can get in your system is through ingestion. This can include absorption through the skin, inhalation and the obvious, orally. Toolmaker is right on with his question regarding your drinking water. Arsenic can be found in some instances in well water.

Historically, reasons for arsenic poisoning include unintentional, environmental, occupational, iatrogenic, suicide and homicide. Chronic toxicity symptoms may include malaise (general fatigue), weight loss, melanosis (abnormal dark coloring) of the trunk and extremities, desquamation (peeling or shredding) of the palms and soles of the feet, sensory-predominant peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular insufficiency, diabetes mellitus and an increased risk of lung, bladder and skin cancers.

There was a case in CA in 07 of a woman with a 2-year history of worsening alopecia (hair loss) and memory loss. She also reported having a rash, increasing fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, disabling her to the point where she could no longer work full-time. A thorough exposure history revealed that she took daily kelp supplements. A urine sample showed an arsenic level of 83.6 μg/g creatinine (normal < 50 μg/g creatinine). After an investigation it was found her dietary herbal supplements contain arsenic.  A sample from her kelp supplements contained 8.5 mg/kg (ppm) arsenic.

I don't know if your elevation is considered dangerous or not. I'm sorry that I just don't know enough about this substance in urine to comment with any certainity. Your PCP should be your guide. He/she may want to do blood and hair samples to gather more information on the urinary results.

Please let us know what you discover. What has your PCP told you at this point? I will look forward to your updates with great interest.

Peace,
Tuck

[toolmaker]

Does your drinking water come from a well?