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Dear Dr I Have Posted My Question To Your Esteemed
Question: Dear Dr
I have posted my question to your esteemed colleagues in other disciplines
but would beg you to advise me according to your experience.
I have also received the following comment for a general practioner and received the
following reply:
'Hi there
I doubt if one episode of crystal meth use will affect your nervous system. I am a bit concerned about the fact that you are starting to feel numbness in the left hand as well. I suggest that you go for a check-up with the doctor who treats you for the HIV - the peripheral neuropathy might be coming from the ARV meds. Have you had any imaging done such as a CT or MRI scan? Your doctor will refer you if they think that it might be necessary - this will show us if there are any abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord (such as the herniated disc which you are referring to ). Good luck and I hope that you feel better soon. '
Thank you for attending to me.
Best regards XXXXXXX
I have posted my question to your esteemed colleagues in other disciplines
but would beg you to advise me according to your experience.
I have also received the following comment for a general practioner and received the
following reply:
'Hi there
I doubt if one episode of crystal meth use will affect your nervous system. I am a bit concerned about the fact that you are starting to feel numbness in the left hand as well. I suggest that you go for a check-up with the doctor who treats you for the HIV - the peripheral neuropathy might be coming from the ARV meds. Have you had any imaging done such as a CT or MRI scan? Your doctor will refer you if they think that it might be necessary - this will show us if there are any abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord (such as the herniated disc which you are referring to ). Good luck and I hope that you feel better soon. '
Thank you for attending to me.
Best regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Regarding neurological symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I doubt crystal meth use has anything to do with your neurological symptoms. It is a well-known fact that both HIV infection as well as ARV drugs can cause neurological symptoms such as mononeuropathies and polyneuropathies...
I think that is the likely cause, especially after neurological evaluation which implicates peroneal nerve and ruled out a proximal cause like a herniated disc or tumor. The peroneal nerve is a peripheral nerve. I suggest you start an oral vitamin B12 supplement in a dose of 750mcg to 1500mcg per day.
This in association with good control of HIV infection and substituting neurotoxic HIV drugs with safer drugs might help reverse neurological symptoms.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Regards
Regarding neurological symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I doubt crystal meth use has anything to do with your neurological symptoms. It is a well-known fact that both HIV infection as well as ARV drugs can cause neurological symptoms such as mononeuropathies and polyneuropathies...
I think that is the likely cause, especially after neurological evaluation which implicates peroneal nerve and ruled out a proximal cause like a herniated disc or tumor. The peroneal nerve is a peripheral nerve. I suggest you start an oral vitamin B12 supplement in a dose of 750mcg to 1500mcg per day.
This in association with good control of HIV infection and substituting neurotoxic HIV drugs with safer drugs might help reverse neurological symptoms.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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