Need Advice to Help Sick Dad Feel Better.

In My Humble Opinion
1

I am looking for some ideas to help my Dad feel better. I will describe his symptoms, but first say he has been to many doctors looking for the cause or causes of his discomfort, and is still talking to more and trying to figure out the issues. So I am open to advice and suggestions, we are seeking appropriate medical advice, but so far they have not come up with anything

He has been feeling very poorly for probably 2 years or so and is 75 years old, about 175 pounds. He has tingling, numbness and burning in his limbs, hands and feet. The symptoms seem to get worse in the afternoon and evening. He does not sleep well, has loss of muscle mass, has a weak neck, some blurry vision, is not hungry, urinates a lot and generally just feels bad.

We understand these can be the symptoms of diabetes, and he has been checked for this and is being checked again. But he monitors his blood sugar and does not seem to be in that range, he gets Canadian readings of 5.6 to 7.1. I understand you multiply those readings by 18 to get the US equivalent. He is in the United States right now and waiting to hear results from an Endocrinologist.

For awhile we were concerned maybe he had ALS, but he has seen neurologists and they have largely ruled that out.

He has had many blood tests and physicals and everything comes out normal. He has high blood pressure controlled by medication, he had a heart attack about 5 years ago, and had stints put in. He also had a bad bout of gout which seemed to be at the start of these problems.

He is also a worrier, so there is a chance that depression is part of the problem, but I do not think it would explain all the physical symptoms.

So I would like to hear if there are other areas you think he should be checking out, or strategies for dealing with the discomfort, or other suggestions.

2

If his emotional issues (depression, anxiety, both, whatever) are not being treated, getting him evaluated and treated may help a great deal. If you can find one, a psychologist who specializes in treating those with medical problems would be ideal.

Is MS being considered? Not a medical doctor, just wondering.

3

Moving from MPSIMS to IMHO, the place for opinions.

4

IANAD

It’s my understanding that there are SNRI’s (Cymbalta is one) which have been approved for both depression and generalized chronic pain/discomfort. If he truly is depressed, it might be worth a try. If he’s been loath to treat for depression, then the other “On-label” uses might convince him to give it a go.

Obviously, this is just a suggestion to discuss with his doctor.

5

This sounds to my non-doctor ears like classic neuropathy. Diabetes isn’t the only cause of neuropathy, though. Does he have rheumatoid arthritis? How are his hormone levels and vitamin intake? Check out this wikipedia link, particularly this broad list of potential causes:

[ul]
[li]Genetic diseases: Friedreich’s ataxia, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy[/li][li]Metabolic/Endocrine: diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, porphyria, amyloidosis, liver failure, hypothyroidism[/li][li]Toxic causes: Drugs (vincristine, metronidazole, phenytoin, nitrofurantoin, isoniazid, ethyl alcohol), organic metals, heavy metals, excess intake of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)[/li][li]Fluoroquinolone toxicity: Irreversible neuropathy is a serious adverse reaction of fluoroquinolone drugs[/li][li]Inflammatory diseases: Guillain-Barré syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosis, leprosy, Sjögren’s syndrome, Lyme Disease, sarcoidosis,[/li][li]Vitamin deficiency states: Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B1 (thiamin)[/li][li]Physical trauma: compression, pinching, cutting, projectile injuries (i.e. gunshot wound), strokes including prolonged occlusion of blood flow, electric discharge, including lightning strikes[/li][li]Others: shingles, malignant disease, HIV, radiation, chemotherapy[/li][/ul]

6

IANAD, but MS was the first thing I thought of, too. (My mother has it) Will say a prayer for your Dad. HUG

7

Is he getting any exercise at all?

If not, and if his doctor says it’s ok, I think he would feel better (after the initial startup) if he were to start a regular exercise regimen. He might hate it at first, but if he can keep it up for just a few weeks, he could well notice the difference:

Sleeping better
Better appetite
Better blood circulation (could bad circulation account for any of the tingling, etc.?)
Generally better mood.

If he can start out with walking 15 minutes a day, then work up in 5-minute increments to 60 minutes, and gradually increase his speed, that could make all the difference in the world.

I am 62, so I am not yet in his ballpark age-wise, but I notice an enormous difference when I am exercising and keeping my weight under control, from the occasional times when I slack off. And (though I say it who shouldn’t) I think I have the energy of a much younger person.

As a counter example, my father left off moving any more than absolutely necessary when he was in his 70’s. He lived until 87 but he could hardly move around at all in the last few years.

Not to make this sound like a panacea, but even if there are other unrelated things wrong, and again if the doctor says it’s ok, moderate regular exercise will help almost anyone feel better.
Roddy