uprightdoc wrote:Hello THX1138,
There is definitely a connection. The vasodilatory affect of niacin, however doesn't affect brain circulation so it wouldn't impact the midbrain or basal ganglia, which are major causes of spasticity. On the other hand, it could help relieve peripheral causes of muscle spasms, such as lactic acid and anerobic metabolites by improving blood flow and waste removal. It would also help to decrease the formation of lipid peroxides, oxygen free radicals etc. You may be altering cranial and spinal canal hydrodynamics (fluid mechanics) by way of downstream affects. For example, by increasing peripheral blood flow through blood vessels that supply and drian the spine you may be reducing edema in the spinal canal and thus relieving pressure on the cord. It would be interesting to see your blood work to check for signs of anemia and inflammation, as well as your blood pressure and pulse rate numbers.
Dr. Michael Flanagan, below is the info you are interested in:
Sorry that the results didn't copy/paste well. If you need any clarification, please let me know.
Component Results
Component Standard Range Your Value
WBC 3.4 - 10.7 10**9/L 6.0
RBC 4.20 - 5.90 10**12/L 4.83
HGB 13.0 - 17.0 g/dl 16.2
HCT 37.5 - 51.0 % 47.9
MCV 82.0 - 99.0 fL 99.0
MCH 27.0 - 34.0 pg 33.6
MCHC 32.0 - 35.7 g/dL 33.9
RDW 11.0 - 15.0 % 11.7
PLT 150 - 400 10**9/L 174
General Information
Collected:
12/13/2012 2:58 PM
Resulted:
12/13/2012 3:01 PM
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Test Name Test Date Result Result History Normal Range Laboratory/Caregiver Comments
Hemoglobin
January 21, 2013
15.8 g/dL
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13.5 - 17.5
Hematocrit
January 21, 2013
45.5 %
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38.8 - 50.0
Erythrocytes
January 21, 2013
4.87 x10(12)/L
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4.32 - 5.72
MCV
January 21, 2013
93.4 fL
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81.2 - 95.1
RBC Distrib Width
January 21, 2013
12.7 %
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11.8 - 15.6
Leukocytes
January 21, 2013
7.9 x10(9)/L
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3.5 - 10.5
Platelet Count
January 21, 2013
168 x10(9)/L
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150 - 450
Neutrophils
January 21, 2013
5.64 x10(9)/L
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1.70 - 7.00
Lymphocytes
January 21, 2013
1.56 x10(9)/L
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0.90 - 2.90
Monocytes
January 21, 2013
0.48 x10(9)/L
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0.30 - 0.90
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Test Name Test Date Result Result History Normal Range Laboratory/Caregiver Comments
Eosinophils
January 21, 2013
0.16 x10(9)/L
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0.05 - 0.50
Basophils.
January 21, 2013
0.02 x10(9)/L
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0.00 - 0.30
Vitamin B-12 Assay, S
January 21, 2013
>1400 ng/L This value is above the normal range.
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180 - 914
Sodium, S
January 21, 2013
143 mmol/L
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135 - 145
Potassium, S
January 21, 2013
4.5 mmol/L
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3.6 - 5.2
Creatinine (w/eGFR)
January 21, 2013
0.8 mg/dL
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0.8 - 1.3
eGFR-Non African American
January 21, 2013
>60 mL/min/BSA
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>60
eGFR-African American
January 21, 2013
>60 mL/min/BSA
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>60
Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Abs
January 21, 2013
<15.6 U
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<20.0 (Negative)
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Test Name Test Date Result Result History Normal Range Laboratory/Caregiver Comments
Antinuclear Ab
January 21, 2013
0.4 U
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<=1.0 (Negative)
Lyme Disease Screen ELISA
January 21, 2013
- Neg.
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Negative
Serologic response to B. burgdorferi infection is not detected, but cannot rule out early infection during which low or undetectable antibody levels to B. burgdorferi may be present. If clinically indicated, a new serum specimen should be submitted in 7-14 days.
Magnesium(S)
January 21, 2013
2.1 mg/dL
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1.7 - 2.3
Copper(S)
January 21, 2013
1.07 mcg/mL
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0.75-1.45
Zinc(S)
January 21, 2013
0.66 mcg/mL
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0.66-1.10
Note: The MCV came down nicely to 93.4 with Methylcobalamin injections. Also note that the MCV results are from 2 different labs. Also, MMA was checked and found good.
I have not noticed benefit from the B12, but just from the blood flow efforts.
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Blood pressure and pulse rate numbers:
BP: around 120/75
Pulse: mid 60's/low 70's
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I will add that I am extremely sedentary because of energy and walking problems. Sorry that the results didn't copy/paste well. If you need any clarification, please let me know.
Thank You,
THX1138