Re: Alexandra and her Health Part 2

[amartin71718]

Well, we know that she suffered from sciatica, and that can be extremely painful to the point of not being able to walk. And the nerve damage in her legs from the glass incident also would have added to that. I think she also suffered from CFS. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)


But, I'm no doctor, that just my 2 cents.

[historyfan]

Empress Alexandra, as we know, was afflicted with numerous health concerns, including, but not limited to, sciatica, an "enlarged heart", "dizziness", other "nerve troubles".

Knowing what we know now, and perhaps from our own experiences, what would you diagnose her with?

[ppatane]

One thing I've always been curious about is in relation to the birthweight of her babies.   When I gave birth to a nearly 10 lb baby 27 years ago, the doctor immediatly tested me for diabetes and said that 10 lb babies were often an indicator or precursor.  From all that I've read all of the Empress' babies were quite large with several over 10lbs.  She could not of course been a serious diabetic but perhaps pre diabetic.

[Erika]

A very interesting observation historyfan! Here are a list of symptoms for diabetes. 

     * Thirst
     * Large amounts of urine
     * High blood pressure and high blood fat
     * Fatigue
     * Reduced or increased appetite and weight loss
     * Itching
     * Recurrent infections
     * Interference with wound healing, especially in agencies with poor blood supply (for example feet)
     * Impotence
     * Poor blood circulation (cold hands and feet)
     * Progressively deteriorating eyesight, can lead to blindness (diabetes is the most common cause of blindness in people over age 65)
     * Inferior sensory
     * Convulsions
     * Acetone odor in the breath
     * Black skin areas, primarily in the neck, acanthosis nigricans

[historyfan]

One thing I've always been curious about is in relation to the birthweight of her babies.   When I gave birth to a nearly 10 lb baby 27 years ago, the doctor immediatly tested me for diabetes and said that 10 lb babies were often an indicator or precursor.  From all that I've read all of the Empress' babies were quite large with several over 10lbs.  She could not of course been a serious diabetic but perhaps pre diabetic.

I've often wondered myself.  My son's birthweight was 10-1/2 pounds and I was not diabetic at all.  But I've only had one.  She, like you said, had several.

[historyfan]

A very interesting observation historyfan! Here are a list of symptoms for diabetes. 

     * Thirst
     * Large amounts of urine
     * High blood pressure and high blood fat
     * Fatigue
     * Reduced or increased appetite and weight loss
     * Itching
     * Recurrent infections
     * Interference with wound healing, especially in agencies with poor blood supply (for example feet)
     * Impotence
     * Poor blood circulation (cold hands and feet)
     * Progressively deteriorating eyesight, can lead to blindness (diabetes is the most common cause of blindness in people over age 65)
     * Inferior sensory
     * Convulsions
     * Acetone odor in the breath
     * Black skin areas, primarily in the neck, acanthosis nigricans

I recognize very few of these symptoms in what I've read of Alexandra's health, but it is possible she was diabetic only while pregnant (gestational diabetes).

But I dunno.  I think it was something else.  Somewhere else I've read, someone suggested cystic fibrosis?

[Kimberly]

CF sufferers survive to adulthood these days due to the enormous advances in treatments. I would find it hard to believe that she suffered with this disease, surely she would have died in early infancy/childhood if she had CF. (No antibiotic therapy etc available then).

[Sarushka]

One thing I've always been curious about is in relation to the birthweight of her babies.   When I gave birth to a nearly 10 lb baby 27 years ago, the doctor immediatly tested me for diabetes and said that 10 lb babies were often an indicator or precursor.  From all that I've read all of the Empress' babies were quite large with several over 10lbs.  She could not of course been a serious diabetic but perhaps pre diabetic.

Giving birth to babies with high birthweight is also a symptom not uncommon among female carriers of hemophilia.

[historyfan]

CF sufferers survive to adulthood these days due to the enormous advances in treatments. I would find it hard to believe that she suffered with this disease, surely she would have died in early infancy/childhood if she had CF. (No antibiotic therapy etc available then).

Is there such a thing as a "mild" form?  Or is it one of those things where you have it, or you don't?

[Rodney_G.]

I believe Alexandra rather frequently (that is, over the course of years)suffered from jaw pain which may have been related to various dental problems or from a form of facial nerve pain called trigeminal neuralgia . It can be really debilitating.

[historyfan]

I believe Alexandra rather frequently (that is, over the course of years)suffered from jaw pain which may have been related to various dental problems or from a form of facial nerve pain called trigeminal neuralgia . It can be really debilitating.

See, that's what I'm thinking.  I didn't know about the jaw pain but I do suspect she had nerve issues, other than the sciatica.  So what kinds of disorders of the nerves are there?

The "enlarged heart", I suspect, was psychosomatic, or, physically present in the form of the effects of stress on the heart. 

I don't know why this fascinates me, except to be sure that had she lived in our time, she would have been properly diagnosed, properly treated, and above all, UNDERSTOOD.

[Sarushka]

I don't know why this fascinates me, except to be sure that had she lived in our time, she would have been properly diagnosed, properly treated, and above all, UNDERSTOOD.

I hate to be the pessimist in the bunch, but don't be too sure about that. My grandmother's suffered from a random yet persistent list of symptoms for DECADES. She's been to doctors, specialists, the Mayo Clinic, you name it -- nobody's been able to pin down a diagnosis. Meanwhile she's lost more than a few friends who have either tired of her ailments interfering with their plans and/or just believe she's a hypochondriac. Sound familiar?

[historyfan]

You're right, Sarushka.  That could happen.

Well, the subject still fascinates me.  Nothing I can do.  lol

[RealAnastasia]

I suffered from some of the symptoms depicted above for diabetes. I was almost sure I must be diabetic, since I had diabetic relatives in both branches of my family. I had itching symptoms, micosis in all body and my eyes were not seeing properly. But after going to doctors, the diagnosis me with nervous symptoms and my eyes had only myopia symptoms that were soon corrected with proper glasses. My sugar in blood was not only correct, but even too low. Doctors obliged me to eat more sugar, and this was a blessing for me, since I LOVE sweet food, and I  wouldn't like to have my beloved beer forbidden in my diet! (LOL).

I think that maybe, Alix was suffering of stress instead of being hypochondriac. It could happen! Stress uses to have some symptoms similars to diabetes.

RealAnastasia.

[amartin71718]

I believe Alexandra rather frequently (that is, over the course of years)suffered from jaw pain which may have been related to various dental problems or from a form of facial nerve pain called trigeminal neuralgia . It can be really debilitating.

See, that's what I'm thinking.  I didn't know about the jaw pain but I do suspect she had nerve issues, other than the sciatica.  So what kinds of disorders of the nerves are there?

She had nerve damage in her legs caused by a childhood accident.