my father is suffering from this unknown illness..?

Question

he was a gold miner and exposed from diffirent kinds of chemical,then one day he was complaining bout his leg,his left leg feels numb but functioning while the other leg can feel and seems okay but he can't control it.He can't walk with out support since then.Im just wondering if mercury has something to do with my father illness.We're not able to bring him to the specialist due to financial problem,until now and its already 12long years

Answer 1

Hey I'm currently training to be an occupational therapist so I have to know how the body works and stuff like that (wont go into detail). Anyway my thoughts on the situation is that after 12 years it'd be strange (I think) for him to suddenly start getting a reaction, defiantly just on one leg because you'd think it would affect both legs.

So your father's leg is still functioning normally but he has a numb feeling? This could be caused by his nerves, as when their is alot of pressure put on them and the blood supply is cut off it then leaves you with a numb feeling. I think your farther should look at the position he's sleeping in and sitting in. Maybe he just has a poor circulation in that leg and exercising such as walking, swimming or biking can help improve the circulation as it gets the blood pumping round the body quicker.

However I wouldn't recommend your farther suddenly doing alot of exercise, as he should just take things slowly. Of course though the best advice is to seek professional help.

Answer 2

There are an awful lot of things that can poison a gold miner, and most of them are neurotoxic (make your wiring screwy). Most of these things have no normal means to get out of your body, and the only way to get rid of them is by treatment with things that bind to them so that they can be eliminated. You can get some of these things in tablets, or in your food, like calcium, but the most effective way to get rid of them without a lot of expense and medical supervision is to be a regular blood donor.

The amount in any one donation is small enough to be no harm to the person receiving it, but unloads your dad a little...

Trouble with this idea is that you do not know that this is the problem, and what he has may be contagious, and that would mean that donating blood would give it to a whole bunch of other people. Go see if he is OK to be a blood donor, and if this is the problem. It will not take a specialist to do a blood test for heavy metal poisoning. You do not say where you are, but many places have some form of medical care available to people who got sick from toxins at their workplace, and even disability payments for the time they are recovering. Look into it.

Answer 3

Jo, the first thing that came to MY mind was mercury poisoning. With all the climbing and tunneling he may have done, while mining, he may have hurt his spine in such a way, also, that makes his legs do this. I do hope that a specialist can help him to regain control of his legs. Do his fingers tingle, as well? Seriously.

Answer 4

It could be mercury, but whatever it is it's neurological. Is there no way to get medicaid to help? It's important to find out what is causing it especially if it starts to advance. He has definite neurological symptoms and needs to be seen. There is a simple blood test for mercury. Which shouldn't be very expensive. Look into public health aid or programs to see if he qualifies for assistance. I would also write to neurologists in your area explain the desperate situation and see if they would see him on a volunteer basis and go without payment for their services. It doesn't hurt to ask, the worst they can say to you as no.

Answer 5

what a bout a loan? could that be of help or see if ppl willing to fund :( im sorry to hear that and yup many miners may have had that too. maybe tehres a website for them. i think u should look on internet and see if u find other ppl affected by this. surely the internet has everything your looking for. good luck in your search and i'll see if i can find it if i have time.

Answer 6

I dont think you're dying . Do you have IBS or crohns maybe????????What is your diet like?? You on some heavy meds , do you have a paranoia , psychosis, health anxiety (hypochondria) ? I was on aripiprazole(abilify) prozac and promethazine(phenergan) and zolpidem . I got bad anxiety and agitated states on them . Maybe side effects ? Get a review on your meds. If it was a deadly illness in ten years it woulda been detected

Answer 7

Oh dear- Yes, that does sound like a mercury problem.

There should be financial aid out there for situations such as your father's.

Good luck!

Answer 8

http://www.chem.unep.ch/mercury/Sector-Specific-Information/Docs/GMP%20Report%20to%20UNEP%20-Rivised%20Jan.2005.pdf

plz check out tis link...it contains a huge article on the problems faced by gold mineers...dnt read the irrelevant stuff.... just read the part abt "health impact" and i personally think u should contact these people as soon as possible

I hope this helps...may ur father get well soon

Answer 9

aargh it the scurvy its bak. jk, i hope your father gets better