I'm no doctor but my buddy [UPDATE]
I have a friend who has been on prescription acid reflux medicine and now drinks Mylanta Extra Strength like water just so that he can sleep at night. He's lost 20 pounds in the last five months and he's not trying to lose weight.
Secondly, both of his pinky finger have gone numb and his cheeks are going numb. He woke up the other morning and couldn't tell his facial muscles to move enough to talk because his face was numb. It seems like the numbness was confined to his one pinky finger and is now spreading to other extremities.
What do you tell someone that refuses to see a Doctor and tries to "be a man" and "tough things out"?
Secondly, both of his pinky finger have gone numb and his cheeks are going numb. He woke up the other morning and couldn't tell his facial muscles to move enough to talk because his face was numb. It seems like the numbness was confined to his one pinky finger and is now spreading to other extremities.
What do you tell someone that refuses to see a Doctor and tries to "be a man" and "tough things out"?
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1. Make sure your life insurance premium is paid.
2. Make sure your will is up-to-date.
3. Just for bababooeys and giggles, go pick out a casket that you like.0 -
When he crashes and burns, someone will get him to a doctor. I hope it's not too late then. If you're THAT concerned (I am assuming he's a soldier), take it through official channels. He may thank you for it later. 0 -
Get medical help NOW! [:0] 0 -
Unfortunately, my buddy is deployed and he's an officer. I have some former peers that are officers now and are still friends. Something tells me to do more to encourage him to see a Doctor but, at the same time, something makes me wonder if this is "my lane" (Army lingo--i.e. mind your own business and stay in your own lane). 0 -
Taking the fact that he is taking reflux meds, and taking mylanta, and adding the deployment with the symptoms of numbness and sleeplessness I think he is having severe anxiety problems. Do not think less of him if this is true and it is no shot to his foolish ideas of "being a man" he needs to be seen ASAP! both for the symptoms and the cause. just mho with 15 years emergency medicine (5 in the Army of which 2 was combat) backing it. [:D] 0 -
some acid reflux "treatments" like Mylanta, pepto bismol, tums, etc. eliminate the acid in the stomach; some medicines make the stomach produce less acid in the first place. either way, if he's eating/dringking them like water, his stomach may not be producing enough acid to digest food. that would be one explanation for the weakness and weight loss.
I don't have a clue what would make his little fingers and cheeks numb and not his toes also. other than cold weather and wearing socks to bed. absent any other information, I don't think that's it.
I have read several things about how ppl have made astonishingly good diagnoses using internet resources. if your friend refuses to see a doctor, I would encourage you to get as much information from your friend as you can, tell it to another friend who is good with medical terminology (so he doesn't get lost with what he may read on the internet) and have at it.
because the sooner the better. he needs diagnosis and treatment asap. you would be amazed at how something you thought was harmless and has been lingering, was actually symptoms of something far worse, and suddenly turns into a disaster. this is how you head it off.0 -
Rat him out to the local medical officer and get him checked out pronto! He's no good to anyone, least of all himself, if he dies or cripples himself by refusing to see a doctor. 0 -
I'd say he has issues that go way, way beyond acid reflux. Just a guess, but I'd say it might be circulatory as in a blockage or restriction or something more serious. Chest pain in the area most commonly associated with heartburn combined with weight loss and numbness is not your standard run-of-the-mill heartburn or acid reflux.
HE NEEDS TO GO TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!!!!
I hope he does today and that it's easily treatable.0 -
A good friend of mine I had known for about 15 years ( had a ranch that butted up to ours) got cancer in the stomach and they did surgery. Thought everything was fine but in a week he started to drain where the incision was real bad. His wife was putting a one foot square piece of gauze folded several times on him and before she could get him taped up it was soaked. He was the same way as your friend bull headed ,tough and didn't need any help. This went on for a couple of weeks and the next time he stopped by (he couldn't get out of his truck because of the pain ) I told him to get his A$$ to the doctor today. He said he would and left (found out later from his wife he never did go ) and he was dead two weeks later from infection. I still miss him coming around he was a hell of a guy. Sorry this is so long but looking back I wish I had done more for my friend[:(]....Do what ever it takes to chang his mind....Bull 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bull300wsm
A good friend of mine I had known for about 15 years ( had a ranch that butted up to ours) got cancer in the stomach and they did surgery. Thought everything was fine but in a week he started to drain where the incision was real bad. His wife was putting a one foot square piece of gauze folded several times on him and before she could get him taped up it was soaked. He was the same way as your friend bull headed ,tough and didn't need any help. This went on for a couple of weeks and the next time he stopped by (he couldn't get out of his truck because of the pain ) I told him to get his A$$ to the doctor today. He said he would and left (found out later from his wife he never did go ) and he was dead two weeks later from infection. I still miss him coming around he was a hell of a guy. Sorry this is so long but looking back I wish I had done more for my friend[:(]....Do what ever it takes to chang his mind....Bull
I agree! I have two friends that gave warnings for some time about the pains in their arms and hands. Both died instantly of major heart attacks and the people are kicking themselves to this day for not making them go to the hospital at the moment they were complaining about the pain. Might have made a difference.0 -
Originally posted by idsman75
I have a friend who has been on prescription acid reflux medicine and now drinks Mylanta Extra Strength like water just so that he can sleep at night. He's lost 20 pounds in the last five months and he's not trying to lose weight.
Secondly, both of his pinky finger have gone numb and his cheeks are going numb. He woke up the other morning and couldn't tell his facial muscles to move enough to talk because his face was numb. It seems like the numbness was confined to his one pinky finger and is now spreading to other extremities.
What do you tell someone that refuses to see a Doctor and tries to "be a man" and "tough things out"?
You tell him he is a blockhead. But in all seriousness he may already know what problems he has and does not want to burden anyone else.0 -
The numbness in one of his fingers started last summer. His acid reflux problems started in the fall. He's not taking the prescription meds anymore. He just chugs Mylanta Extra Strength. He didn't have any until yesterday when it arrived in the mail.
Another friend of mine told me that her cousin's liver basically disintegrated inside of his body. Numbness in various areas of his body preceded his death.
My buddy used to drink a lot on the weekends but stopped drinking suddenly this past fall. He didn't tell me why. He just told me that after I asked him if he had time to have a beer with me. I'm beginning to think that there are underlying factors that he knows about that he's not telling me.0 -
Also, he had two instances last fall where he thought he had a heart attack. He went to the doctor and the doctor told him that it was acid reflux issues. Sometimes those issues can mimic a heart attack. He passed the echo-cardiogram and other heart tests with flying colors.
All I know is that he has serious acid issues and he doesn't have any prescription meds left. I don't know why he doesn't get more. He just drinks Mylanta like water now.0 -
quote:........ wonder if this is "my lane" (Army lingo--i.e. mind your own business and stay in your own lane).
I hope that will be consolation to you and to his family when you're all attending his funeral!0 -
Sounds like Guillian Barret Syndrome, and if untreated, it's fatal. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by stanman
quote:........ wonder if this is "my lane" (Army lingo--i.e. mind your own business and stay in your own lane).
I hope that will be consolation to you and to his family when you're all attending his funeral!
I'll ignore your disrespectful tone--towards him and not me.
I tend to be more of a Libertarian in many respects. I respect a person's decision to choose their own consequences in life as long as they do harm to no one else. The greatest gift (IMHO) that you can give is not life but the freedom to do with one's life what one wishes.0 -
idsy...
Tell your buddy if he wants to quote: "be a man" and "tough things out"?now, then he can quote: "be a man" and "tough things out"? IF it comes to someone changing his diaper...0 -
quote:I'll ignore your disrespectful tone--towards him and not me.
I tend to be more of a Libertarian in many respects. I respect a person's decision to choose their own consequences in life as long as they do harm to no one else. The greatest gift (IMHO) that you can give is not life but the freedom to do with one's life what one wishes.
Disrepectful tone?
I have a certain amount of respect for you Ids because of what I know of you through the forums.
I have NO respect for your friend because I know nothing of him and have had no dealings with him.
I still live in a world where respect is EARNED, not GRANTED based on who your friends are or what office you've been elected to.
You KNOW that your friend is ill man or you wouldn't have posted this thread in the first place.
He may be so physically ill that his mind is not working properly and may be unable to make a logical decision regarding his own medical care.
If you really care for this fellow, you'll rat him out or do whatever is necessary to get him the medical care he so obviously needs.
I'd rather lose the friendship of a person and see that person live than to know that he loved me till the end while I'm carrying his casket!
Maybe that's just me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by stanman
quote:I'll ignore your disrespectful tone--towards him and not me.
I tend to be more of a Libertarian in many respects. I respect a person's decision to choose their own consequences in life as long as they do harm to no one else. The greatest gift (IMHO) that you can give is not life but the freedom to do with one's life what one wishes.
Disrepectful tone?
I have a certain amount of respect for you Ids because of what I know of you through the forums.
I have NO respect for your friend because I know nothing of him and have had no dealings with him.
I still live in a world where respect is EARNED, not GRANTED based on who your friends are or what office you've been elected to.
You KNOW that your friend is ill man or you wouldn't have posted this thread in the first place.
He may be so physically ill that his mind is not working properly and may be unable to make a logical decision regarding his own medical care.
If you really care for this fellow, you'll rat him out or do whatever is necessary to get him the medical care he so obviously needs.
I'd rather lose the friendship of a person and see that person live than to know that he loved me till the end while I'm carrying his casket!
Maybe that's just me.
X-ring.
quote:Originally posted by dheffleySounds like Guillian Barret Syndrome, and if untreated, it's fatal.
It's spelled Guillain-Barr?, and that's most definitely not it. GB manifests as a severe flaccid paralysis that starts at the feet and works it's way up to the legs, trunk, and eventually arms over the course of maybe 3 or 4 days. It's not a small-scale thing; generally the legs are so rubbery you can't walk on them. It's also a very fast-moving thing.
I don't know what's wrong with your friend Ids, but unless he wants to prove himself to be a walking stereotype I would suggest he get a gastroscopy ASAP. It sounds like he has a gastric ulcer, and possibly GERD as well. If he's in that much pain normally, it's probably terrible when he eats. Thus, he doesn't eat and loses a lot of weight. The Mylanta chugging is also a pretty obvious sign...
The peripheral neuropathy is equally concerning, and indicative of a wide variety of syndromes, none of which are self-resolving, and some of which are fatal.0 -
What do you tell him? (1) Get your butt down to see the medics. Now. (2) While waiting to see the medics, read Article 115 of the UCMJ. It's a short one- called malingering. Intentional self infliction of injury is the second sentence. Failing to seek treatment HAS been considered self infliction. Sometimes joking called "damaging government property- your body". Whatever the medical condition, it does not sound to be either minor or self correcting. FIDO (military shorthand) is not gonna work here. Go see the docs before non-fixable damage takes place, 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
What do you tell him? (1) Get your butt down to see the medics. Now. (2) While waiting to see the medics, read Article 115 of the UCMJ. It's a short one- called malingering. Intentional self infliction of injury is the second sentence. Failing to seek treatment HAS been considered self infliction. Sometimes joking called "damaging government property- your body". Whatever the medical condition, it does not sound to be either minor or self correcting. FIDO (military shorthand) is not gonna work here. Go see the docs before non-fixable damage takes place,
Good advice. He won't be doing his soldiers any good if he's not his best.0 -
I've had reflux and I've had numb pinkies, they may not be related at all. I think you're looking at diabetic like symptoms on top of the reflux. Really needs to get to a doctor for a thorough physical. If not for himself, than for those who depend on him to set an example. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dheffleySounds like Guillian Barret Syndrome, and if untreated, it's fatal.
It's spelled Guillain-Barr?, and that's most definitely not it. GB manifests as a severe flaccid paralysis that starts at the feet and works it's way up to the legs, trunk, and eventually arms over the course of maybe 3 or 4 days. It's not a small-scale thing; generally the legs are so rubbery you can't walk on them. It's also a very fast-moving thing.
I don't know what's wrong with your friend Ids, but unless he wants to prove himself to be a walking stereotype I would suggest he get a gastroscopy ASAP. It sounds like he has a gastric ulcer, and possibly GERD as well. If he's in that much pain normally, it's probably terrible when he eats. Thus, he doesn't eat and loses a lot of weight. The Mylanta chugging is also a pretty obvious sign...
The peripheral neuropathy is equally concerning, and indicative of a wide variety of syndromes, none of which are self-resolving, and some of which are fatal.
Well, I had it and it started in my face like Bells Palsy. It took a month to travel to my hands, then another two weeks before it started affecting my feet. Kind of the reverse of what you are saying.
I was treated with massive doses of steroids, and was told it would be fatal if untreated.
But hey, that was only a nuero surgeon's diagnosis, and I'm sure he failed to check with you.0 -
My mother in law was stricken with Guillian-Barre syndrome and it hit HER instantly, with no warning and completely paralyzed her in less than a minute.
She has recovered to some extent today, but this was 40 years ago.0 -
quote:Originally posted by stanman
My mother in law was stricken with Guillian-Barre syndrome and it hit HER instantly, with no warning and completely paralyzed her in less than a minute.
She has recovered to some extent today, but this was 40 years ago.
Sorry if I over-reacted. This particular "friend" is someone I consider to be more than a friend. There are three people in this world that I would "give it all up" for on a personal level. I'd do anything for my Soldiers. I'd sell everything I owned and live under a bridge in Alaska for any of those three.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dheffleySounds like Guillian Barret Syndrome, and if untreated, it's fatal.
It's spelled Guillain-Barr?, and that's most definitely not it. GB manifests as a severe flaccid paralysis that starts at the feet and works it's way up to the legs, trunk, and eventually arms over the course of maybe 3 or 4 days. It's not a small-scale thing; generally the legs are so rubbery you can't walk on them. It's also a very fast-moving thing.
I don't know what's wrong with your friend Ids, but unless he wants to prove himself to be a walking stereotype I would suggest he get a gastroscopy ASAP. It sounds like he has a gastric ulcer, and possibly GERD as well. If he's in that much pain normally, it's probably terrible when he eats. Thus, he doesn't eat and loses a lot of weight. The Mylanta chugging is also a pretty obvious sign...
The peripheral neuropathy is equally concerning, and indicative of a wide variety of syndromes, none of which are self-resolving, and some of which are fatal.
Well, I had it and it started in my face like Bells Palsy. It took a month to travel to my hands, then another two weeks before it started affecting my feet. Kind of the reverse of what you are saying.
I was treated with massive doses of steroids, and was told it would be fatal if untreated.
But hey, that was only a nuero surgeon's diagnosis, and I'm sure he failed to check with you.
You had Miller-Fisher Syndrome. It's pretty much the same as GB, just rarer, and in reverse order (starting at the head).
When did this happen to you? They stopped using glucocorticoids for GB in the early 90s after studies proved they were ineffective. Now you either get big doses of Gamma-G or they hook you up to a plasmapheresis machine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dheffleySounds like Guillian Barret Syndrome, and if untreated, it's fatal.
It's spelled Guillain-Barr?, and that's most definitely not it. GB manifests as a severe flaccid paralysis that starts at the feet and works it's way up to the legs, trunk, and eventually arms over the course of maybe 3 or 4 days. It's not a small-scale thing; generally the legs are so rubbery you can't walk on them. It's also a very fast-moving thing.
I don't know what's wrong with your friend Ids, but unless he wants to prove himself to be a walking stereotype I would suggest he get a gastroscopy ASAP. It sounds like he has a gastric ulcer, and possibly GERD as well. If he's in that much pain normally, it's probably terrible when he eats. Thus, he doesn't eat and loses a lot of weight. The Mylanta chugging is also a pretty obvious sign...
The peripheral neuropathy is equally concerning, and indicative of a wide variety of syndromes, none of which are self-resolving, and some of which are fatal.
Well, I had it and it started in my face like Bells Palsy. It took a month to travel to my hands, then another two weeks before it started affecting my feet. Kind of the reverse of what you are saying.
I was treated with massive doses of steroids, and was told it would be fatal if untreated.
But hey, that was only a nuero surgeon's diagnosis, and I'm sure he failed to check with you.
You had Miller-Fisher Syndrome. It's pretty much the same as GB, just rarer, and in reverse order (starting at the head).
When did this happen to you? They stopped using glucocorticoids for GB in the early 90s after studies proved they were ineffective. Now you either get big doses of Gamma-G or they hook you up to a plasmapheresis machine.
Winter of 1983. Massive, massive doses of Prednisone and in the hospital for 6 weeks. It was diagnosed as Guillain-Barr? by one of the best nuero surgeons in Dallas, so until he tells me differently, or you get you become a doctor, I'll go by what he says. Either way, the Prednisone turned me into a diabetic, so I'm not sure the cure was worth it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dheffleySounds like Guillian Barret Syndrome, and if untreated, it's fatal.
It's spelled Guillain-Barr?, and that's most definitely not it. GB manifests as a severe flaccid paralysis that starts at the feet and works it's way up to the legs, trunk, and eventually arms over the course of maybe 3 or 4 days. It's not a small-scale thing; generally the legs are so rubbery you can't walk on them. It's also a very fast-moving thing.
I don't know what's wrong with your friend Ids, but unless he wants to prove himself to be a walking stereotype I would suggest he get a gastroscopy ASAP. It sounds like he has a gastric ulcer, and possibly GERD as well. If he's in that much pain normally, it's probably terrible when he eats. Thus, he doesn't eat and loses a lot of weight. The Mylanta chugging is also a pretty obvious sign...
The peripheral neuropathy is equally concerning, and indicative of a wide variety of syndromes, none of which are self-resolving, and some of which are fatal.
Well, I had it and it started in my face like Bells Palsy. It took a month to travel to my hands, then another two weeks before it started affecting my feet. Kind of the reverse of what you are saying.
I was treated with massive doses of steroids, and was told it would be fatal if untreated.
But hey, that was only a nuero surgeon's diagnosis, and I'm sure he failed to check with you.
You had Miller-Fisher Syndrome. It's pretty much the same as GB, just rarer, and in reverse order (starting at the head).
When did this happen to you? They stopped using glucocorticoids for GB in the early 90s after studies proved they were ineffective. Now you either get big doses of Gamma-G or they hook you up to a plasmapheresis machine.
Winter of 1983. Massive, massive doses of Prednisone and in the hospital for 6 weeks. It was diagnosed as Guillain-Barr? by one of the best nuero surgeons in Dallas, so until he tells me differently, or you get you become a doctor, I'll go by what he says. Either way, the Prednisone turned me into a diabetic, so I'm not sure the cure was worth it.
Jeez, man...I'm sorry to hear it.[:(] Yeah, prednisone will do that when it's taken for too long.
Corticosteroids were what they used back before IVIg treatment. The problem is that while they're somewhat glucocorticoid in effect, they're not myeloid-specific, so you need a huge dosage over a long period of time to have any appreciable effect on the nerve-sheaths. Corticosteroids + 6 weeks = chronic renal insufficiency = Addison's syndrome [:(]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
Jeez, man...I'm sorry to hear it.[:(] Yeah, prednisone will do that when it's taken for too long.
The worst thing was how it put 120 pounds on me. I took the crap for a little over a year and it blew me up like a blimp. Now, the diabetic meds won't let me loose weight. I would have been better off it it would have killed me. I always tell people, if there is any way to get well without the Prednisone, don't take it. It's just not worth it.0 -
Ids,
Your friend may have had a mild stroke or is experiencing the warning signs of an oncoming stroke -- Do whatever it takes to get him into qualified medical care as quickly as possible.0
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