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Dear Doctor - I Am A 55 Year Old Male
Question: Dear Doctor - I am a 55 year old male , HIV positive but under treatment with ARV medicine for 12 years.
I enjoy good general health.
I used the drug - crystal mephetamine - in February 2018 ,about a year ago
injected and smoked.
The following morning when getting up - I had difficulty lifting my left foot and experienced loss of sensation and strength of my left calf.
I experienced no pain.
I visited a general doctor in panic and he was not sure what to do but gave my painkillers and muscle relax medication.
Over the following days and weeks the severity of my symptoms improved but during the day the weakness and 'buzzing' of my calf muscle returns.
I also visited a neurologist in January of this year 2019 - he conducted a full and thorough examination with tests.
I was to ashamed to mention to him my drug use but asked him about the possibility of neurotoxins.
He ruled it out but said that I have peripheral neuropathy due to injury to the peroneal nerve.
He said that no medical procedure of medication would be of help or given but that my condition could improve slowly.
Please advise me on your opinion given my confession and description.
Can anything be done or medication prescribed to improve the symptoms and facilitate healing?
I exercise daily with little improvement.
I would appreciate any assessment.
Sincere regards XXXXXXX Brand XXXXXXX
I enjoy good general health.
I used the drug - crystal mephetamine - in February 2018 ,about a year ago
injected and smoked.
The following morning when getting up - I had difficulty lifting my left foot and experienced loss of sensation and strength of my left calf.
I experienced no pain.
I visited a general doctor in panic and he was not sure what to do but gave my painkillers and muscle relax medication.
Over the following days and weeks the severity of my symptoms improved but during the day the weakness and 'buzzing' of my calf muscle returns.
I also visited a neurologist in January of this year 2019 - he conducted a full and thorough examination with tests.
I was to ashamed to mention to him my drug use but asked him about the possibility of neurotoxins.
He ruled it out but said that I have peripheral neuropathy due to injury to the peroneal nerve.
He said that no medical procedure of medication would be of help or given but that my condition could improve slowly.
Please advise me on your opinion given my confession and description.
Can anything be done or medication prescribed to improve the symptoms and facilitate healing?
I exercise daily with little improvement.
I would appreciate any assessment.
Sincere regards XXXXXXX Brand XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
hi sir
Detailed Answer:
dear sir, am sorry for your suffering, truly saying there is multiple things that can cause this symptoms like vertebral column disc prolapse, potassium imbalance and neuropathy.
To know exactly the cause, you have to do investigations as MRI on vertebral column, serum potassium level in your blood and finally nerve conduction test of lower limbs...at the meanwhile you may take neurotonic drugs like vit B 12 injection to help you....
hi sir
Detailed Answer:
dear sir, am sorry for your suffering, truly saying there is multiple things that can cause this symptoms like vertebral column disc prolapse, potassium imbalance and neuropathy.
To know exactly the cause, you have to do investigations as MRI on vertebral column, serum potassium level in your blood and finally nerve conduction test of lower limbs...at the meanwhile you may take neurotonic drugs like vit B 12 injection to help you....
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dear Doctor
Thank you for your prompt and kind reply.
The neurologist did nerve conductivity tests.
Could it be a herniated disc although I do not experience pain?
Kind regards XXXXXXX
Thank you for your prompt and kind reply.
The neurologist did nerve conductivity tests.
Could it be a herniated disc although I do not experience pain?
Kind regards XXXXXXX
P.S The neurologist did say that it was neuropathy
but what would the cause be?
but what would the cause be?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, hello again.. It is unlikely to be a herniated disc with no pain experienced however it is possible if the herniation is mild and is not pressuring any of the nerve roots., Neuropathy can be caused by multiple causes including diabetes, trauma, vitamin b12 difficiency or autoimmune diseases. I hope you find this helpful
Unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, hello again.. It is unlikely to be a herniated disc with no pain experienced however it is possible if the herniation is mild and is not pressuring any of the nerve roots., Neuropathy can be caused by multiple causes including diabetes, trauma, vitamin b12 difficiency or autoimmune diseases. I hope you find this helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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