This is a bit sciencey and wordy, so I'll summarize first.
They finally figured out what's wrong with me, almost. It's real close, and is one of 20 or 30 rare muscular related genetic missense mutations that are all much the same, with small differences. It's been narrowed down to 3, pretty much. We just have to mess around a bit to figure out exactly which it is, then test for it specifically. (That's just eight tubes of blood for more genetic testing.)
Nicotine plays a large part in fixing it. It's probably why I've been chewing snuff and tobacco since I was 8.

Here's the cool stuff...
My problem is that little channels that carry electrical signals to the muscles don't work right. They don't open and close correctly.
Then the wrong substances come from the cells, in the wrong amounts. Certain amounts of potassium or sodium should enter that channel, and those two things are what regulates the electrical current. I have a mutation that causes those two things to be all goofy.
The cool part is that those channels are called Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. The reason they are called that is because ingested nicotine will make them run like they should.
As my problems have progressed, I've naturally amped my nicotine intake to 2 cans of snuff a day, smoking lots of cigars, and now I've added sniffing snuff.
Odd part is, I've done it all mindlessly. I also slow way down on my intake when I feel good.

What it boils down to is that if I had not been using tobacco wildly for the last 35 years, I'd be in a heck of a lot worse shape than I am now.
Amazing, right?
Plus I'm a mutant. Fear me. :-)
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Thats crazy Scott, who knew that much nicotine was actually remedying your symptoms (to a degree). Not bad
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Sweet our one and only Mutant Scott :-) Good to here they are finally figuring something out brother
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Very interesting.
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That's very interesting. Have you tried Swedish snus?
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Well that's interesting.

Oh and I can fix that title if you like Scott :-)
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I think everyone here who knows you at all always knew you were a mutant! To have science confirm this...... PRICELESS!


Best to you, brother!
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suhweet! I'm glad to know they are finally figuring out whats going on, and that you have a little more peace of mind.

As for snuffs and nicotine, I;d also suggest Toques Quit! snuff and McChrystal's S'Nuff (Aka Smokers Blend) for those with high nicotine. I haven't tried either of them, but I'm sure they are worth a shot. Stay healthy, Brother!
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One more step in the right direction Scott.:-)
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Too much nicotine?
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I knew you'd like it. You're vested in this stuff.
Dunno about fixing that. It's kinda infinately more interesting spelled wrong. :-)
See, Hugh didn't even notice. :-)
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Does a cat have an ass? lol
Yup, all of them. They don't have any oomph to them. I imagine some of the real Swiss stuff might, I've only tried the domestic stuff for girls.
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Yeah, you should try the real Swiss snus. MUCH different than the domestic blends/brands. The uptake on the Snus is cleaner and would probably give you better results than snuff. Plus the added benefit of no spitting.
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Glad to hear they are getting a better idea on what is going on Scott. Continued positive thoughts sent buddy.
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"Plus I'm a mutant. Fear me.":-)

I'm glad you found out what's going on. It seems like the nicotine fairy has had it's eye on you for some time now.
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Great News, Scott! Maybe Cigars Are Good For All Of Us!
We're All Inmates Of "The Asylum", Right?:-)
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hehehe okay :-)
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Welcome, we all have a lot to learn.
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So what your saying is that your super power is the ability to take in tons of nicotine??!?! You sound like a villian to me...stay away from my humis! :-) Be well brother..
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Well there's that, and my incredible staying power.
Beats starting fires with my eyes, and I'm way more popular this way. :-)
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