Arthritis FAQ
Arthritis operation with chemical sensitivity (foot problems)
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Question:
I have chemical sensitivity plus foot problems. I scheduled an operation with a respected podiatrist to correct tarsal tunnel syndrome and to scrape the big toe joint of my right foot to deal with the arthritis. I requested special protocols for chem.. sensitive patients. At the last minute the operation got cancelled. The doctor was angry and thinks that I am a paranoid nut case. I’m not sure that I should re-schedule the surgery even if he would consent. I know that you are in Austin, but do you know of any podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon in San Antonio who might be more in tune with the needs of patients with environmental illness? If not, do you know of anyone who might be able to help me?
Dr. Roby Answers:
You are going to be so glad you avoided the foot surgery. This is not a problem you can surgically remove, like a nail stuck in your foot. You surgically remove one problem only to discover it pops up in another joint later.
See my website section on "Hormone Allergy". It was written for women but has similar application to men. Your hormones are changing and that is why you are beginning to have these allergy problems...along with fatigue and loss of short-term memory, in most cases. Many of your questions relating to MCS and allergy and other symptoms are addressed in that section. Please read it again and let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.
Visit to Walmart, arthritis returned
Saturday, August 03, 2002
Question:
Doctor, I didn't expect to have to call on you so soon, but after I had blood drawn at Seton HL yesterday, I did a bit of shopping at Walmart, during which time my right foot and inner ankle began to hurt. When I got home and got out of the car, I was almost unable to walk due to the pain, which was all but excruciating. Upon arising this morning, it was better for about 10 minutes and then hurt again. The Minor Emergency Clinic was my next stop and a wonderful Doctor named Carstens from Llano Emergency believes it's tendonitis. His advice was to use crutches to avoid the stress, ice it down, and see my podiatrist and my orthopedic surgeon for help in designing lifts either on my shoes or on my orthotics or both to stop some of the sideways movement of that foot. The Xrays show that when I tore tendons in that foot on the boat offshore of Antarctica several years ago, a small chip of bone was also torn loose and may be exacerbating the problem.
Prior to yesterday's magic relief for my thumb arthritis, I'd never have considered bothering you about this and it may well be that there is no magic bullet for this problem, but I can't take that chance. As you stated in your previous note, "Prevention requires vigilance."
Thank you, Dr. Roby. You're a true jewel in the medical world and in the world in general.
Dr. Roby Answers:
I'm glad you told me about it because I can assure you I know what the problem is. Many of my patients experience symptoms while in Wal-Mart. Some of the employees have had to quit their jobs there.
You reacted to some chemical they use there to clean the store, perhaps the floor cleaning material. Perhaps the plastic packing materials...I don't know what...but isn't it interesting your pain would begin for no other reason than being in Wal-Mart?
You will recall my story of the serviceman who had lost a limb in the war. Whenever he got upset, allergic or under stress the missing hand would hurt. Your old injury to your foot is like the "missing hand." When you got allergic in Wal-Mart your old injury seemed to be occuring all over again.
Nothing happened inside your foot. You are experiencing "phantom pain." Icing the foot won't help. The irritated area is in your brain, and icing your head won't help. What would help is a short course of oral steroid. That would stop the problem in two or three days. You might try your Progesterone drops as they will likely relieve it as well.
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