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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by katt on March 21, 2004, at 23:11:39
Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological symptoms??? I have been in and out of the hospital, unable to function due to severe neurological symptoms for almost 6 months now. I was no longer able to walk, get out of bed, do anything at all. Electric shocks, numbness and tingling, pain in arms, legs, abdomen.
I got into a huge fight with who is now my former friend this past weekend about what caused such a long illness. His theory was nutrition (though he has nothing to go by). My take is that I really was sick -- they thought it was multiple sclerosis, but they have yet to figure it out. Does anyone have any clues??
I am getting better, but the lack of activity has caused some painful weight gain I am unable to tolerate. I am going back into my old tricks, but I am positive I have an illness (or my injuries from a pedestrian/large vehicle accident are getting to me). HELP!!!
Posted by shar on March 21, 2004, at 23:55:18
In reply to Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological symptom, posted by katt on March 21, 2004, at 23:11:39
Oh! Yes! All of the things you mentioned could have neurological consequences. I'm not an MD, but I know that poor eating habits (anorexia) can effect one immensely. As far as the other, (the accident with motor vehicle), yes again.
The two combined?? How would it not?
As an aside, I know that not eating properly for even a few weeks can have an impact on me.
Stop it~! Eat! And, get whatever medical help you can! (and if *he* agrees or not is not the question, if you get my drift...).
Take care !!!
Shar
Posted by EmmyS on March 22, 2004, at 7:41:26
In reply to Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological symptom, posted by katt on March 21, 2004, at 23:11:39
I'm certainly not a doc either, but Lyme desease sometimes looks like MS and docs often don't check for it. So, have they completely ruled out MS?
Emmy
Posted by Racer on March 22, 2004, at 7:43:45
In reply to Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological symptom, posted by katt on March 21, 2004, at 23:11:39
Sounds like neuropathy, probably with other complications. Just like the word implies, neuro = nerves, pathy = sickness. You can get information from most diabetic sites, since it's a common side effect of that disease.
Another effect of diabetes, which is probably common enough in anorexia, is gastroparesis, partial paralyss of the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause havoc in your eating, since your body can be starving, while your stomach is full. And, of course, your brain and nervous system run on fuel supplied by glucose. If you don't give them fuel, they'll sputter on you.
Yes, it's terrible to be feeling this way, and it's very easy to fall back into it. Have you talked to your doctor about this? Have you discussed trying something like an anti-depressant that causes moderate weight gain? (Unfortunately, that's the only solution that's ever worked for me. It's not the best solution, the best would be adequate treatment of the underlying condition, but it has put enough weight on me to get me past the self-starvation.)
Good luck, I hope you feel better soon. (And I had something similar from an antidepressant a few years ago. Check with your doctor and do some research on anything you take.)
Posted by Poet on March 22, 2004, at 18:59:54
In reply to Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological symptom, posted by katt on March 21, 2004, at 23:11:39
Hi Katt,
I completely understand that you can't allow weight gain and are resorting to tricks to hide it or lose it.
I'm bulimic, and one of my best friends is anorexic. She has anorexic friends who I don't know personally, but I know what is going on physically. We're all in our 40s, so we definitely have prolonged anorexia or bulimia (in my case.)
One is experiencing MS like symptoms and is being evaluated by a neurologist. When you were in the hospital did you see a neurologist? S/he'd be the best to try to figure out what's going on with you. The friend has tingling, numbing, and loss of balance.
Another fell and broke her leg. That scared my friend into going to the doctor and was told her bone density is that of a 65 year old and she is at risk for breaking something if she falls.
I'm not trying to scare you, just inform you. Why my friend talks to me and tells me about her friends it's because I understand. I'm a sister in the club.
Poet
Posted by katt on March 23, 2004, at 17:03:20
In reply to Re: Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological symptom, posted by EmmyS on March 22, 2004, at 7:41:26
Emmy,
Based on a spinal tap and some MRI's, they say they have ruled out MS -- however, isn't it true that MS can exist without being detected in labs?They have not checked for Lyme disease, but I have not had any bites.
> I'm certainly not a doc either, but Lyme desease sometimes looks like MS and docs often don't check for it. So, have they completely ruled out MS?
>
> Emmy
Posted by katt on March 23, 2004, at 17:11:47
In reply to Neuropathy » katt, posted by Racer on March 22, 2004, at 7:43:45
Well, I don't have diabetss, so that isn't a problem. I have been given the dx of polyneuropathy thus far, but everyone is totally perplexed.
I have been taking Neurontin for a year and a half for pain, Vioxx, they added Trileptal AFTER I got real sick and just got off a TON of ativan....could that have caused my problems? I have been sick for almost six months, so it is unlikely.
No, I have talked to my doc about it because I had selected her to be fresh. I don't want a vanity issue to suddenly become the total focus of my sudden illness. I would rather they look at this without the inflence of an eating thing because they start to look at you as if you are nothing but a nut case.
The out of control weight gain due to meds, eating, and not working out is making me really miserable. I mean I amo totally preoccupied with it.
> Sounds like neuropathy, probably with other complications. Just like the word implies, neuro = nerves, pathy = sickness. You can get information from most diabetic sites, since it's a common side effect of that disease.
>
> Another effect of diabetes, which is probably common enough in anorexia, is gastroparesis, partial paralyss of the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause havoc in your eating, since your body can be starving, while your stomach is full. And, of course, your brain and nervous system run on fuel supplied by glucose. If you don't give them fuel, they'll sputter on you.
>
> Yes, it's terrible to be feeling this way, and it's very easy to fall back into it. Have you talked to your doctor about this? Have you discussed trying something like an anti-depressant that causes moderate weight gain? (Unfortunately, that's the only solution that's ever worked for me. It's not the best solution, the best would be adequate treatment of the underlying condition, but it has put enough weight on me to get me past the self-starvation.)
>
> Good luck, I hope you feel better soon. (And I had something similar from an antidepressant a few years ago. Check with your doctor and do some research on anything you take.)
Posted by katt on March 23, 2004, at 17:20:49
In reply to Re: Does prolonged anorexia cause neurological sym » katt, posted by Poet on March 22, 2004, at 18:59:54
Don't worry -- you are not scaring me...I know what the potential problems are. What I did not think was related was the completed debilitation caused by these symptoms. I was evaluated by a couple neurologists and a neurosurgeon. Everyone is just baffled. I am becoming hopeless, but I am also trying to understand any causes. Although some of my nutrients, like protein and iron were low, my B12 was normal, ruling out nutrient deficency as the cause of symptoms. I have tingling, numbness, pain, electric shocks, burning, and loss of balance. I also started to lose feeling in my hands, having severe clumsiness, dropping things, spilling stuff...No one knows why...
This can even be worse at night. I am tired of trying to figure things out -- I have been in a wheelchair for months and have no explanation.
I have turned here once again to get some feedback and input. I am going nuts. Totally losing it.
> Hi Katt,
>
> I completely understand that you can't allow weight gain and are resorting to tricks to hide it or lose it.
>
> I'm bulimic, and one of my best friends is anorexic. She has anorexic friends who I don't know personally, but I know what is going on physically. We're all in our 40s, so we definitely have prolonged anorexia or bulimia (in my case.)
>
> One is experiencing MS like symptoms and is being evaluated by a neurologist. When you were in the hospital did you see a neurologist? S/he'd be the best to try to figure out what's going on with you. The friend has tingling, numbing, and loss of balance.
>
> Another fell and broke her leg. That scared my friend into going to the doctor and was told her bone density is that of a 65 year old and she is at risk for breaking something if she falls.
>
> I'm not trying to scare you, just inform you. Why my friend talks to me and tells me about her friends it's because I understand. I'm a sister in the club.
>
> Poet
>
>
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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