Long term symptoms but an answer maybe coming...

[nikkikl]

Thanks JL I'm going to go on the hunt for a new doctor today - one closer to home as the current one is 20 miles away as it's so difficult to get there anyway. As a Brit living in the USA, I'm sooooooo not used to choice when it comes to healthcare and I find that choice is a double-edged sword in this respect. I don't even know where to start. Ugh. Anyway, I feel like crap after the steroid infusion so I'll lay down in a darkened room until I muster up the energy to get on this task - or until the baby cries. I'm back on the vitamins and planning the family menu for the next week so I'm hoping to get a handle everything. Onward!

[jimmylegs]

yes i've noticed it's a bit more like pulling teeth to get bloodwork done in the UK. also that the prices for private testing are OUTLANDISH there. meanwhile in canada we have to pull teeth for tests from the doc, or pay the extra to go ask a naturopath for the requisition. and then if the doc wrote the requisition you have a chance it was covered, but if the naturopath wrote it, you're paying. at least when that happens, the cost per test is not insane.

with the online requisition thing i am not sure exactly how that one works start to finish. but i do know folks on here have used that or something similar with good results ie really quick turnaround times.

hope you feel better soon!

[nikkikl]

@jimmylegs, just wanted to let you know that the magnesium/calcium drink is working like a charm! I'm SO much more chilled out so just wanted the thank you for that great tip. Hubby is not noticing it as much but he compares his chilled-outness to how he feels after a bowl of MJ, so it's not really reliable lol. Anyway, along with the drink, the food-based multivitamins, some D3 that I was sent for free, BETTER DIET it's all working out nicely. Found a new doctor and had a productive visit with my neuro. I'm going on to Copaxone to start as soon as the insurance company get on it, and Neurontin in the hope that it may relieve some of the crazy numbness.

[jimmylegs]

that is great news!!!

glad to hear you are feeling more relaxed with the natural calm drink. i can see it being a more subtle variety of calm than the mj version haha!

one thing to consider is some nutritional testing, if you are able to make the arrangements. even if you do have to get it done on your own dime over time, it's worth knowing if your dietary and supplement regimen is getting your nutrition status well out of the chronic disease danger zone, and up into the healthy control sweet spot, with attention paid to optimizing ratios between interacting nutrients.

if you do arrange a few tests, it's smart to do a bit of a washout ie no supplements for a while leading up to test day. it's hard to say what the ideal washout period would be, but i usually go with a week or so.

if you follow up on the testing idea at some point, do check back in lots of pitfalls with test selection and results interpretation.

for now though, sounds like things are on the right track!

one question about the ongoing numbness. have you started going over your daily intakes of food and supplements, and comparing to recommended daily amounts of essential macro and micronutrients? if you haven't, it might be an idea to start with one or two. it gets easier and easier after the first couple. tons of resources to help with that too.

if you decided to do any dietary evaluation or blood testing, it would probably be wise to look at iron, zinc and copper together. these need to be kept in balance with each other, which is why i mention all of them. luckily many food sources that are rich in one of those three, will also be rich in the other two.

zinc may help with appetite, and i have seen instances of numbness resolving when zinc is added to the regimen. (not for me, mine's a spinal cord injury secondary to b12 deficiency + trauma, so too bad so sad haha). low iron status, which is also extremely common, can result in numbness as well.

did i already inquire about your habits where wheat or other gluten grains are concerned? i ask because gluten is one of the various antinutrients out there that can work against your efforts to achieve excellent nutrient status - iron and zinc in particular!

anyway i had better get on to other things. take care, hope the little one is doing well too