Suggestions that have been submitted by our readers for what it might be.

These suggestions are not from health care professionals, and are not given in any kind of professional capacity, so use your own common sense and make sure to research this info on your own.

No I have not self-diagnosed

but i read and interesting article about a ailment called pica

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

When tired, anxious, worried, etc. or doing even non strenuous repetitive housework, I notice sudden intense pain and become aware that:

My arm, sometimes both are noticeably cold and my hands blue and I can not let go of things or not pick up as I can't feel a thing. I wrap up and when the circulation comes back it is so intense that my fingers can increase 0.5 to 1cm in diameter.

My skin has thinned and so isn't elastic enough so it splits with the slightest knock or even moderate grip will cause a split.

There look like really deep chill blanes and take ages to heal.

I only ever thaw out using layers as my torso is fine that's why I often don't notice it till it's too late.

If I have a cup in my hand and don't keep my eye on it I will drop it without noticing until the crash.

As you can imagine supermarkets, driving, swimming, just about anything active with my 11 year old son can fill me with dread.

My weight can balloon with water retention and inactivity ny 2stones in 6-8 weeks.

I live with my son in a new area with my nearest relative being 120 miles away and very infirm (my Dad.)

When I wake up it can take about 1 hour for the blood to normalize in my hands to get to the very acute and painful pins and needles stage which can take 30-45 mins to go.

Obviously dressing is a nightmare every thing has to be planned any slight minuscule detour from plan exacerbates an attack through stress - self fulfilling prophecy - not sure perhaps self inflicted through psychosomatic auto suggestion!

My life has come to a virtual standstill.

We were both becoming well adjusted and happy after an abusive relationship. (physical and mental for me) (non-communicative for my son)

When walking my dog (big and powerful), karate, scouts, badminton, swimming.

Age gave me tennis elbow in both arms and golfers as well in my right.

I also have mildish but getting worse Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my right wrist which makes tapestry, embroidery etc - even ironing a no-no at times.

When working Full-time had cleaner/daily so joints not used to work.

Had job as Finance Director and doing dad's share of work coupled with history of arthritis in family.

Desperate, self-harmer suicidal.

Husband fed the paranoia by threatening to have me committed and take my son away - he did 7 times - only to hurt me, not to keep my son.

Husband lied numerous times to police so that initially they even they thought the broken bones were self inflicted.

Yes a Dr. Diagnosed me.

Underactive thyroid and poss temporary side effects of Cipralex - antidepressant, sympathetic but sees it as short to mid term and should be ok!!.

I get anxiety attacks and forget what I need to tell him as basically painful, inconvenient but not half as bad as the myxodemae madness that I suffered from 36 to 42 when I asked for a thyroid test

Yes I self-diagnosed myself.

Reynaulds - from about 14 when under pressure at school exam time, I would scream out in my sleep - parents would come in I would be really cold to touch but color didn't change.

Slightest change in temperature and muscles would cramp till I wanted to chop them off ) growing pains.

From 18 onwards, monthly water retention (14lbs!) accompanied by prolonged semi numbness in feet and sensation.

Needles and pins from surface of legs to 0.54cms. Could feel general pressure but not sharp points.

Not that I am aware of, but this has been going on over 2 years/

Mental Health deteriorating as even simple tasks can be impossible some days - increasing depression, failure and zero self-esteem.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

I too am a sufferer of Reynaulds and I have observed that people with reynaulds are often highly sensitive/emotional in other areas of their life.

I am an NLP practitioner and have come to appreciate that people who are introverted and sensitive quite often suffer from things like muscle tension and circulation problems because we internalise our feelings, which leads to a physical knock on effect to our body system.

Firstly this individual needs to learn that she is a sensitive person - that doesn't mean weak, it means she is a more finely tuned instrument in many ways than other people. Able to detect minute changes not just in temperature, but also in the behaviour of other people, atmosphere's etc because her system is so sensitively wired. There are a lot of positives to being sensitive as well as the negatives that arise if we do not learn to harness this sensitivity for our own good. It also makes you ultra perceptive.

I would recommend a book called 'the highly sensitive person' I can not remember the name of the author but a search on amazon should yeild results.

Reynaulds sufferers also widely suffer water retention and sometimes have thinner skin than their peers etc - interesting that here in the UK we refer to people who are thick-skinned as being insensitive - so being thin-skinned must mean the reverse, ultra sensitive!

Mind and body need to be in balance to overcome this condition - make sure the thoughts you give yourself are positive and kind and that your body gets the nutrients and extra support from vitamins and minerals it may need to compensate for weak organs in the body.

I would urge this person to see a nutritionist who may be able to recommened suppliments to strengthen weak organs (the liver can be a source of weakness in reynaulds sufferers - but not in all cases and sometimes the wrong vitamins can harm rather than heal so you must seek proper advice from a qualified practitioner).

Also be aware hot temperatures can lead reynaulds sufferers and others to poor levels of concentration which you may also beat yourself up for - when it is your condition at fault, not you.

Keeping fit is a good idea, but gentle exercise is probably better than strenuous - everything in moderation applies even more strongly to reynaulds sufferers.

Good luck in all you do!

I STARTED SUCKING ON MY LIPS ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

I'VE SEEN ALL TYPES OF DOCTORS.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

I DON'T THINK THEY'VE DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.

Yes I self-diagnosed myself

STRESS

no major illness

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

Yes a Dr. Diagnosed me.

Eating Disorder

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

I have been eating cornstarch from 1994. And in 1999 I stopped for about six months and started right back again. I continued to eat it until Sept. 2003, when I went in the hospital and had to receive blood.

This July, I started eating it again and can not stop.

I may be able to stop for a day or two but then I'm right back at it like a drug addiction.

I wake up wanting it and go to bed needing it.

My husband doesn't like me to eat it so I have to buy it and eat it without him knowning it. Kinda like I'm stealing and that is the part I hated.

It has gotten so bad that if I don't hide it all 4 of my kids will eat it especially my 4yr old daughter. So I try not to let them see me when I'm eating it.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

No outcome yet.

I guess since I don't actually swallow it. But my children see me chewing on it and are like,"Mom, you're eating that starch again?" My husband thinks I'm a bit crazy.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

This person needs to see her doctor.

It could be skin cancer.

If not it could actually be from drainage from the ear, again, she needs to see her doctor ASAP.

submitted: 1/6/2005

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

Yes, Abdomen Pain, DUH?

(Editorial comment: That's a darn shame!)

Looking for information.

What can she do besides continue on supplements anbd bosters?

Any suggestions on how to build her strength back up?

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Could it be an ulcer of the duodenum, hidden in a fold?

Could it be Celiac Sprue (Allergy to wheat gluten)?

Could it be a twist in the colon somewhere?

Could she need need digestive enzymes?

Possible helpful Supplements:
>Emer-Gen'C
>B12/iron shots
>Ripe Bananas every day
>Unripe Coconut water for the liver
>Zofran (presciption) for the nausea.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

I have the same exact problem except I have been eating powder which contains cornstarch. I have been to a doctor about it and he says I have a condition called (Pika) not sure I'm spelling it right but it is pronounced Pie-ka.

(Editor's note: pica)

Anyway, (I've been told that...) it is a craving for carbs and it is like being addicted to alcohol, the problem is you will gain a massive amount of weight and not know where it came from. I guess the only way to get over it is to treat it like any other drug or alcohol addiction and take it one step at a time. (Editor's note: Finding the cause, such as a specific nutritional deficiency may also resolve the problem.)

I have been eating cornstarch for years and i dont know why I crave it sooo much. I would like to know more information on it why are the cravings soooooooooo strong.

I had gotten to a point where I was eating 4 boxes a day.

Searching for more info.

Please email info to:

sbrna506@hotmail.com

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Talk to your doctor your are probably lacking one of the essential vitamins that your boby may be lacking. I found that I was lacking iron and after going on iron therapy I was back to my old self and no longer crave starch.

Also, there is a group on yahoo called The Cornstarch Discussion Group that helps people who want to quit and also for others who like to talk about their PICA.

Female

Male

Co-Q10

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

She may need to get her thyroid checked.

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

I too am a sufferer of Reynaulds and I have observed that people with reynaulds are often highly sensitive/emotional in other areas of their life.

I am an NLP practitioner and have come to appreciate that people who are introverted and sensitive quite often suffer from things like muscle tension and circulation problems because we internalise our feelings, which leads to a physical knock on effect to our body system.

Firstly this individual needs to learn that she is a sensitive person - that doesn't mean weak, it means she is a more finely tuned instrument in many ways than other people. Able to detect minute changes not just in temperature, but also in the behaviour of other people, atmosphere's etc because her system is so sensitively wired. There are a lot of positives to being sensitive as well as the negatives that arise if we do not learn to harness this sensitivity for our own good. It also makes you ultra perceptive.

I would recommend a book called 'the highly sensitive person' I can not remember the name of the author but a search on amazon should yeild results.

Reynaulds sufferers also widely suffer water retention and sometimes have thinner skin than their peers etc - interesting that here in the UK we refer to people who are thick-skinned as being insensitive - so being thin-skinned must mean the reverse, ultra sensitive!

Mind and body need to be in balance to overcome this condition - make sure the thoughts you give yourself are positive and kind and that your body gets the nutrients and extra support from vitamins and minerals it may need to compensate for weak organs in the body.

I would urge this person to see a nutritionist who may be able to recommened suppliments to strengthen weak organs (the liver can be a source of weakness in reynaulds sufferers - but not in all cases and sometimes the wrong vitamins can harm rather than heal so you must seek proper advice from a qualified practitioner).

Also be aware hot temperatures can lead reynaulds sufferers and others to poor levels of concentration which you may also beat yourself up for - when it is your condition at fault, not you.

Keeping fit is a good idea, but gentle exercise is probably better than strenuous - everything in moderation applies even more strongly to reynaulds sufferers.

Good luck in all you do!

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

Stop eating it, you are allergic to it. (I've been told that...) Each and every time you are exposed to an allergy it gets worse to the point of anaphylactic shock.

Diabetes, Gallstones, Congestive Heart Failure, Spinal Stenosis

(Use your own common sense about this reader suggestion and make sure to research this info on your own:)

1.) She may need to get her thyroid checked

2.) pregnancy, hypothyroidism (esp. if overweight and cold all the time), anemia, anorexia/bulemia, allergy to alcohol, certain brain tumors

no major illness

Radiation treatments for cancer of the salivary gland after surgery.

The surgical procedure was called a Partoidectomy (partial). It was a surgical proceedure. The radiation was a follow-up to treat the tumor "bed". Though the margins of the tumor were clean, the cells are microscopic so the radiation is to kill any cells that might have escaped notice and to cause the lymph glands to become more resistant to invasion.

At one point about 5 weeks in I pretty much lost it and refused to continue.

The Dr. made me take the week off from work (he was surprised to find out that I was still working).

I would sleep for 12-14 hours at a strech.

I was surprised at how much difference a week (10 days) made.

Afterwards they changed the 'field' and I finished up with 7 treatments.

The skin is still a little red but the fatigue is gone and I feel pretty much my old self.

It made all the difference.I was able to finish the treatments and begin to really recover.