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I just need some help with otc meds
In May 2021, I fell out of my bed , hit my head on a door. I had a CT scan that they said I had no problems. In August the 22nd I woke up and couldn't use my legs, I had no feeling from the waist down. I went to a hospital the noted after test and scans I had broken my C2 & C3 , and had a pinched nerve. My Neurosurgeon was in IU Methodist Hospital and there were no beds d/t covid. So I laid in this other hospital for a week. They didn't but a brace on my neck which at the time I was so miserable it totally skipped my mind. I finally got to IU they did another set of x-rays and tried a MRI that I couldn't complete d/t a panic attack (it was so small) . They proceeded to get me into surgery and added a cadaver bone, in place of C-2 was way to damaged. I was then diagnosed with incomplete paralysis from the waist down. After I was better they shipped me to a great Rehabilitation Center for spinal trama. Oh I have had fusions to my spine from S-1 all the way up to my C-2. I was trained to learn how to do transfers with a hoyer lift and then from bed to chair with a board, which was very hard because I had no feeling. Eventually they ordered me a high back electric wheelchair, a special shower chair, and other medical equipment for my home because I refused to go to a facility. I got home in October and had to be put in living room because my chair wouldn't go through the door. Finally got an ADA bathroom, enlarged doorways and a special hospital bed then moved to my room. Then all of the sudden my left big toe started move and eventually about 6 months later I could move both legs and had some feeling from my waist down. But now I was having spasms in my back, legs and feet with numbness, tingling, and severe pain. I've been on all these meds for neuropathy, I now have a intrathecal pain pump with morphine and now Clonodine which they use for neuropathy it eased it up but they are going to up the dose. I have in the last year been diagnosed with Severe Osteoporosis in hips, and spine. I'm so tired of hurting all the time. My pain level is always at an 8-10. Magnesium creme has eased it up so I do cramp up so bad. No one will help me with therapy d/t Osteoporosis so I'm doomed. I don't get up alt because my feet swell, turn purple, and from my knees down I freeze an usually have to wear pants and thick socks. I'm a mess , does anyone know if 400 mg at bedtime of magnesium glycinate pill form, and R-Alpha Lipoic 1200mg every morning, and B-complex helps with neuropathy? I'm sorry this is so long but I just have to tell it all for people to understand. God Bless you all.
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@niecie66
Sorry to hear all you are going through.
I take alpha Lipoic acid (600 mg), Acetyl l carnitine and magnesium glycinate at night and it helps with small fiber neuropathy symptoms. I also have spinal stenosis and cervical myelopathy spinal cord injury that causes pain/weakness/numbness. I recently started taking pregabalin (Lyrica) again because the nerve pain in my hips/hip flexors/buttocks makes it difficult to stand up and walk for long. Sometimes I get pain that wakes me up during the night.
What medications are you taking for pain? Have you had bloodwork recently to check all levels are in normal ranges (like vitamins, minerals, etc.)? A nutritionist/dietitian can help review diet/supplements and a pharmacist can help with OTC options for your symptoms.
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3 Reactions@niecie66 - Re: Your second paragraph. Excellent advice! I must have been reading your mind because last week I had an appointment with my physician (Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Physician) to review my medication list (Prescribed medicine & OTC), and to have blood work to check out all levels to see if they are in normal range (they are!). She recommended meeting with the clinic's pharmacist to review all of my medication along with the bloodwork. I am meeting with him tomorrow!
I was diagnosed with IPN in January and I have added many new OTC meds along with prescribed Gabapentin. Thanks to Mayo Clinic Connect I have learned so much from others along with information from the very knowledgeable Mentors!
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4 ReactionsI take R- ALA 1200 per day. Magnesium glycinate at night. Magnesium malate i the AM. I avoid all vit b. I don't need extra supplementation for B. Symptoms got a bit better after dropping all b. Biggest help was low carb no sugar high protein way of eating. The day I had Chinese.— symptoms were sooo bad. Not doing that again. I take L- carnitine also and tumeric
At night magnesium cream/ lotion seems to help.
I still can so I try to move as much as possible- blood flow
I think you are one tough cookie. You have had a lot to handle.
It appears everyone has different symptoms and has to find their own way
Sorrowfully
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5 Reactions@niecie66 - I have had PN (tingling only) in my feet for 5 years. I think now that it was caused by atorvastatin and was worsened by Vitamin B-Complex. B-Complex contains B6 and from my recent research, too much B6 can cause neuropathy. My diet includes foods rich in B6 (tuna, salmon, chicken breasts, sweet potato, ground turkey . . . ). I stopped taking B-Complex and the tingling in my feet was reduced within 24 hours and further reduced within 48 hours. The tingling is still there, but I suspect that I may have permanent nerve damage because I took atorvastatin for nearly 7 years.
My PCP told me to take B-Complex because my B12 was a little low. I agree with @dlydailyhope that bloodwork and consulting a nutritionist/dietician before taking a supplement is very important. I plan to do that in the future before taking any supplement. I also plan to research side effects before, as well.
So sorry to hear about all that you are going through. God bless you.
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