A BRAND NEW SYMPTOM???

Really, it's been almost two years since I have encountered a new one to add to my long list. But last night I realized that the top of my big toe is numb -- feels like the skin is dead. The feeling has persisted through this morning, and a couple of LymeNet searches convinced me that this is pretty common for neuro-Lyme.

Anyone care to speculate with me why this sudden onset when I've been on abx for so long? I haven't been on flagyl lately (which I understand can cause it).

Should I suspect that there is some other cause altogether?

I'd love a little input from you wise ones out there -- especially the ones who can't feel your toes!

I know metronidazol(flagyl) has been related to neurapathy but since it happened before I even knew I had lyme and you stated you have'nt been on flagyl...I strongly suspect that it's a neuro/central nervous system symptom of lyme disease.......much like one would get with diabetes....

anyone else out there could probably add to this symptom and possibly link either lyme or the abx as a probable cause...zman

------------------

If you experience improvement after a few weeks of Questran you may be even sure the the bug is again acting up and needs to be killed one more time.

What is cholestyramine oral suspension?
What should my health care professional know before I take cholestyramine?
How should I take this medicine?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with cholestyramine?
What side effects may I notice from taking cholestyramine?
What should I watch for while taking cholestyramine?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What is cholestyramine oral suspension? (Back to top)
CHOLESTYRAMINE (Prevalite�, Questran�, Questran� Light) absorbs and combines with bile acids, which increases removal of cholesterol from the body through the stool. It lowers blood fats and cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. It is not a cure. Cholestyramine also helps to relieve itching in patients with liver disease. Generic cholestyramine powder for oral suspension is available.

What should my health care professional know before I take cholestyramine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
*bleeding problems or blood vessel disease
*constipation
*difficulty swallowing
*gall bladder disease
*hemorrhoids
*kidney disease
*phenylketonuria
*stomach problems
*under active thyroid
*an unusual or allergic reaction to cholestyramine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
*pregnant or trying to get pregnant
*breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine? (Back to top)
Do not take cholestyramine powder in the dry form. It must be taken by mouth in a liquid form. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Place the powder in a glass or cup. Add between 2 and 6 ounces of fluid; this can be water, milk, pulpy fruit juice, fluid soup, or other liquid. Mix well and drink all the liquid. Rinse the glass with more liquid, stir and drink to make sure you take the full dose. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with cholestyramine? (Back to top)
*entacapone
*heart medicines such as digoxin or digitoxin
*methotrexate
*penicillin G
*phytonadione
*propranolol
*tetracycline antibiotics
*thyroid hormones
*ursodiol
*vitamin A
*vitamin D
*warfarin
*water pills

In general, take other medicines at least 1 hour before, or 4 hours after a dose of cholestyramine, to avoid cholestyramine interfering with their absorption.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking cholestyramine? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
*bloody or black, tarry stools
*unusual bleeding
*severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
*weight loss
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any of these side effects.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
*constipation
*diarrhea
*dizziness
*headache
*heartburn, indigestion
*loss of appetite
*nausea, vomiting
*skin rash or irritation, including the tongue and perianal area
*stomach upset, belching, bloating

What should I watch for while taking cholestyramine? (Back to top)
Cholestyramine will not cure your condition, but taken regularly it will help keep down your cholesterol level. Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Do not stop taking cholestyramine, except on your prescriber's advice.

Cholestyramine is only part of a total cholesterol-lowering program. Your physician or dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet that will reduce your risk of getting heart and blood vessel disease. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.

Drink plenty of water while you are taking cholestyramine, to reduce the chance of getting constipated.

Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

It helps to remove the biotoxin produced by Boreli bergdorferi by binding bile.
The toxin is protein/fat based; it is picked up by the liver, extracted with your bile and later reabsorbed back to the blood stream from interstinum.

Questran stops the reabsorbtion so the toxin is much faster removed from your body than it is produced.

It will work for you on the condition, that your liver is not yet screwed up by antibiotics and can pick up the toxin; also that you can tollerate Questran that may cause constipation and heartburn.

The other things you mentioned -- ranitidine and senokot -- are also new to me. Are they prescription drugs?

Can you give me a "quick and dirty" on what they do?

Thanks,

Questran is safe (comparing to your ABX you used in the past is VERY safe) .
You will know more on your your medical problem only if Qustran helps you. If not, you will be in point zero. So there is a risk, but what are you risking? Questran is not going to hurt your body - it may be uncomfortable but that's it. So your risk some pain and discomfort, but perhaps clarify your situation.

Ranitidne is against heartburn (common side effect of Questran) - safe and popular, you may take 150 mg BID IF you have heartburn.
Senokot is a herbal laxative.

Ranitidine is also on prescription, so your doctor needs to be involved.

I've had numbness in my foot for 10 years on and off, though mostly off.

But all of a sudden it will pop up and then it's numb for a month or so. And then it goes away again, like from one day to the next.

And it feels just like you said, like the skin is dead. It's a sickening feeling to me when I touch the skin.

I can't speculate to your onset. But if it is Lyme, it's Lyme, if you know what I mean.

The bad thing about Lyme is that there is NO test that can tell us if every single spirochete has been killed in our body.

If just one survives, we're still in trouble.

Having had neuro Lyme for more than 15 years, I can attest to the fact that symptoms move around.

It's almost to be expected in heinsight, isn't?

I mean, if you have spirochetes moving around in your brain, there's not far between the sections in your brain that control your heart, your nerves, your sight, your hearing, your memory, and so on.

Btw, nobody can say for sure about any of the Lyme treatments that "this works" and that "that doesn't work".

Minocycline works for some people and for some it doesn't.

Questran works for some people and for some it doesn't.

I understand that the theory behind Questran supports the notion of "eliminating" neurotoxins. But it's only a theory, and nothing has been proven yet, has it Areneli?

First it was thought Questran captured the neurotoxins and escorted them to the liver.

Then it was thought that since Questran lowers cholesterol, and that it is cholesterol that traps the neurotoxins and deposits them in fatty tissue (incl brain), that a reduction in cholesterol would therefore reduce the amount of toxins that end up in fatty tissue and thus your herxing effects is reduced.

Is the later still the current thinking?

I'm not saying that Questran is not working the way some experts believe it works. But one always has to be weary of the placebo effect.

On the other hand, I have not yet heard any reports that Questran is not safe for you.

quote:

---

Arineli said:
If this is the toxin your ABX do not work anyway.

---

Not working in ridding the toxin, or not working in killing Bb?

It won't work for some people most likely due to the fact that their liver is unable to pick up the toxin.

Do you think that the lesions could be causing the numbness, the "tinglies", and the strange sensations that travel through our bodies? Anyone wonder about progressive MS which is very different than relapsing MS--there is no remission, just constant symptoms?

For the liver I have a natural solution...better e-mail me on that.

So sorry to see you back here.

I was wondering abouyt neuro with you and the cyst form, too bad.

Man....I was hoping you had escaped this.

Take Care Bro!\

Trout