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To Be Answered By Dr. Prof. XXXXXXX Saha, Doctor Saha,
Question: To be answered by Dr. Prof. XXXXXXX Saha,
Doctor Saha, this is Rosemarie Raia.
I have been prescribed gabapentin for the numbness in my feet and calves and buttocks due to a bulging disc possibly pressing on several nerves.
Is there a natural alternative to gabapentin. The gabapentin makes me very lightheaded and four days ago after having taking it the night before, the next morning I was ok upon awakening but when I laid down for 10 minutes and tried to get up the room was spinning.
The night before I did not take my second candesartan 16 mg. because my bp was 107/77/
The doctor stopped it for four days . If there were an alternative I would be unafraid to take it. I am not walking so steady now because of the numbness in my feet and the dizziness added to that is very difficult. Thank you.
Doctor Saha, this is Rosemarie Raia.
I have been prescribed gabapentin for the numbness in my feet and calves and buttocks due to a bulging disc possibly pressing on several nerves.
Is there a natural alternative to gabapentin. The gabapentin makes me very lightheaded and four days ago after having taking it the night before, the next morning I was ok upon awakening but when I laid down for 10 minutes and tried to get up the room was spinning.
The night before I did not take my second candesartan 16 mg. because my bp was 107/77/
The doctor stopped it for four days . If there were an alternative I would be unafraid to take it. I am not walking so steady now because of the numbness in my feet and the dizziness added to that is very difficult. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Magnesium&Ginkgo Bilboa as natural alternative;keep monitoring bp
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I know you are following up with Dr XXXXXXX Saha. As he is unavailable for now, this is Dr.Albana assisting.
I think there are 2 main things in your case:
- lightheadness is not due to gabapentin, but due to reduced blood pressure. Good your doctor stopped candersartan for 3 days. But you should keep monitoring your blood pressure, and record the results for reference
- next, if gabapentin is not reducing the nerve pain, then, you need further evaluation and other alternatives. To me should add magnesium supplement to ease the pain. That is considered natural alternative.
Plus, the very best option is also to get massage therapy.
Gingko bilboa supplement can ease your dizziness problems naturally.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other concern.
Dr.Albana Sejdini
General&Family Physician
Magnesium&Ginkgo Bilboa as natural alternative;keep monitoring bp
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I know you are following up with Dr XXXXXXX Saha. As he is unavailable for now, this is Dr.Albana assisting.
I think there are 2 main things in your case:
- lightheadness is not due to gabapentin, but due to reduced blood pressure. Good your doctor stopped candersartan for 3 days. But you should keep monitoring your blood pressure, and record the results for reference
- next, if gabapentin is not reducing the nerve pain, then, you need further evaluation and other alternatives. To me should add magnesium supplement to ease the pain. That is considered natural alternative.
Plus, the very best option is also to get massage therapy.
Gingko bilboa supplement can ease your dizziness problems naturally.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other concern.
Dr.Albana Sejdini
General&Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Dr. Albana, thank you for your answer but the doctor did not stop the candesartan for 4 days, he stopped the gabapentin for 4 days. I am back on it now, but when I get up in the morning and during the night for a bathroom visit, I am very lightheaded. Yesterday, I had a headache and numbness or parasthesia of the face and forehead and nose.
I dont have pain, but numbness of the feet, calves and buttocks. I have had an mri which shows herniations of discs and a bulging disc pressing on a nerve. Retrilithisis, spinal stenosis. I had an emg, the neurologist said it showed more radiculopathy than neuropathy. I am very much afraid that I will not get well. I have difficulty walking and this is making me very anxious and afraid.
I dont have pain, but numbness of the feet, calves and buttocks. I have had an mri which shows herniations of discs and a bulging disc pressing on a nerve. Retrilithisis, spinal stenosis. I had an emg, the neurologist said it showed more radiculopathy than neuropathy. I am very much afraid that I will not get well. I have difficulty walking and this is making me very anxious and afraid.
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer following
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I understand.
Although getting anxious, should keep walking.
For me should monitor your blood pressure and record the results. As per our last conversation, your blood pressure resulted a bit reduced. This explains your lightheadedness.
The numbness you feel is due to nerve compression. The fact that it is radiculopathy means the initial part of the nerve, the part that it starts its journey from spinal cord to periphery is being compressed.
So correction of what had caused the compression is the final solution. But so far in your case that is a bit difficult due to many problems with your spinal cord. However should continue walking as suggested by your orthopedic doctor/neurologist.
Magnesium will help too.
All the best. Do write me back if you have any other concern.
Dr.Albanal
Detailed answer following
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I understand.
Although getting anxious, should keep walking.
For me should monitor your blood pressure and record the results. As per our last conversation, your blood pressure resulted a bit reduced. This explains your lightheadedness.
The numbness you feel is due to nerve compression. The fact that it is radiculopathy means the initial part of the nerve, the part that it starts its journey from spinal cord to periphery is being compressed.
So correction of what had caused the compression is the final solution. But so far in your case that is a bit difficult due to many problems with your spinal cord. However should continue walking as suggested by your orthopedic doctor/neurologist.
Magnesium will help too.
All the best. Do write me back if you have any other concern.
Dr.Albanal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Doctor Albana,
My blood pressure is up again all day today 153/94 and sometimes higher.
How much magnesium should I take?
Also, my feet and calves are swollen. Numbness in feet and calves and back.
Would the swelling have something to do with the numbness? Could it be coming from something other than the compression? How is compression alleviated?
My blood pressure is up again all day today 153/94 and sometimes higher.
How much magnesium should I take?
Also, my feet and calves are swollen. Numbness in feet and calves and back.
Would the swelling have something to do with the numbness? Could it be coming from something other than the compression? How is compression alleviated?
Brief Answer:
Following reasons for swollen legs, magnesium should not exceed 400 mg dail
Detailed Answer:
Hello back,
Your blood pressure is not that high but should get treated. Perhaps half dosage of candersartan can help.
Magnesium should not exceed the dosage of 400 mg per day.
The swollen feet should be further investigated through:
- liver/kidney function test to rule out related problems
- urine analysis to rule out kidney infection with proteinuria
- cardiac check up (EKG, echocardiogram)
- Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels in the legs to rule out clogged vessels
Nerve damages is another cause but should rule out other pathologies as mentioned above first.
Should keep your legs elevated especially when sit and laying down (lift them by putting a pillow below). Avoid salty and fried foods.
Hope this answers your questions.
Let me know if you have any other concern.
Regards
Dr.Albana Sejdini
Following reasons for swollen legs, magnesium should not exceed 400 mg dail
Detailed Answer:
Hello back,
Your blood pressure is not that high but should get treated. Perhaps half dosage of candersartan can help.
Magnesium should not exceed the dosage of 400 mg per day.
The swollen feet should be further investigated through:
- liver/kidney function test to rule out related problems
- urine analysis to rule out kidney infection with proteinuria
- cardiac check up (EKG, echocardiogram)
- Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels in the legs to rule out clogged vessels
Nerve damages is another cause but should rule out other pathologies as mentioned above first.
Should keep your legs elevated especially when sit and laying down (lift them by putting a pillow below). Avoid salty and fried foods.
Hope this answers your questions.
Let me know if you have any other concern.
Regards
Dr.Albana Sejdini
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dr. Albana, the numbness is also in my groin area beside the back and calves and feet. I saw a neurosurgeon yesterday. He said the damage in my back is a lot and an operation would be extensive. He said only if I was in pain or could not walk would he consider it. He did not offer me any other solution to my problem of the numbness. I will see my family doctor and bring up the other things you suggested.
Also, a friend of mine suggested I take L-theanine 200 mg. for anxiousness. Do you know anything about it.
Also, a friend of mine suggested I take L-theanine 200 mg. for anxiousness. Do you know anything about it.
Brief Answer:
Follow additional information regarding L-theanine
Detailed Answer:
Hello back,
Yes, L-theanine can help reduce the levels of anxiety. It increases the levels of brain chemicals with sedative effects and lowers the levels of excitatory brain stimulants.
It can cross the brain barrier as quick as 20 min, while it might require up to 2 weeks to see evident effect.
It is found in both black and green tea, and in Bay Bolette mushrooms.
Try it and observe the effects, especially any undesired effect.
Let me know if I can help you further.
Dr.Albana
Follow additional information regarding L-theanine
Detailed Answer:
Hello back,
Yes, L-theanine can help reduce the levels of anxiety. It increases the levels of brain chemicals with sedative effects and lowers the levels of excitatory brain stimulants.
It can cross the brain barrier as quick as 20 min, while it might require up to 2 weeks to see evident effect.
It is found in both black and green tea, and in Bay Bolette mushrooms.
Try it and observe the effects, especially any undesired effect.
Let me know if I can help you further.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I just read that L-theanine has not been tested on humans. Is that true? Is there another natural alternative to ativan.
If I do take the L-theanine, do I stop my ativan? Or take them at the same time? I take .25 mg. 3 times a day.
Doctor, is there another natural alternative to Ativan?
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your questions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello back,
Its true L-THEANINE is still not well studied. However, you can try it.
Now, if you're afraid to take as a medicine, can take while drinking green or black tea (as both of them do contain inside). But as tea, you might end up taking caffeine too which might aggravate the anxiety.
Usually, I'd recommend a combination of Aloe vera, Valeriana, passiflora at bedtime. You can try one at your local pharmacy
Indeed there's an interaction between L-theanine and Ativan with Ativan decreasing the effect of L-THEANINE. So better discuss with the doctor who prescribed Ativan about starting L-THEANINE.
The other natural remedies can be taken together with Ativan.
Hope this answers your questions. Do write back if you have any other concern.
Dr.Albana
Following answers to your questions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello back,
Its true L-THEANINE is still not well studied. However, you can try it.
Now, if you're afraid to take as a medicine, can take while drinking green or black tea (as both of them do contain inside). But as tea, you might end up taking caffeine too which might aggravate the anxiety.
Usually, I'd recommend a combination of Aloe vera, Valeriana, passiflora at bedtime. You can try one at your local pharmacy
Indeed there's an interaction between L-theanine and Ativan with Ativan decreasing the effect of L-THEANINE. So better discuss with the doctor who prescribed Ativan about starting L-THEANINE.
The other natural remedies can be taken together with Ativan.
Hope this answers your questions. Do write back if you have any other concern.
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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