Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Initial Symptoms
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Initial Symptoms
by Carol, Dec 07, 1999 12:00AM
My GP is concerned that I may have MS and has referred me to a neurologist. I am wondering how common it is for MS to manifest itself without numbness, weakness, fatigue, or Optic Neuritis? I only have an intermittent tingling or a twinge in my feet. I can sometimes trigger this right in the centre of my arch by bending my neck forward. Is this Lhermitte's sign? It does not always happen and I feel the twinge only in my foot (a thin band like twinge). I also sometimes feel a throbbing in my hands and feet (mostly at night).
I realize without a physical examination or diagnostic tests you are unable to give an exact opinion on my condition. I am just curious about the above questions and welcome your thoughts.
Many thanks!
I realize without a physical examination or diagnostic tests you are unable to give an exact opinion on my condition. I am just curious about the above questions and welcome your thoughts.
Many thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Dec 08, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Carol:
Lhermitte sign is where flexion of the neck produces a tingling, electric-like feeling down the shoulders and back and less commonly, down the anterior thighs. MS usually presents with muscle weakness or fatigue, or optic neuritis, sometimes parasthesias, or even clumpsiness. The symptoms wax and wane but tend to get worse overtime and recovery overtime does not return to the previously level (hence the name multiple). Muscle twinges and throbbing are not the usual presentation. I would not think that you have MS. However, I would see the neurologist and see what she/he says after the physical exam.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Lhermitte sign is where flexion of the neck produces a tingling, electric-like feeling down the shoulders and back and less commonly, down the anterior thighs. MS usually presents with muscle weakness or fatigue, or optic neuritis, sometimes parasthesias, or even clumpsiness. The symptoms wax and wane but tend to get worse overtime and recovery overtime does not return to the previously level (hence the name multiple). Muscle twinges and throbbing are not the usual presentation. I would not think that you have MS. However, I would see the neurologist and see what she/he says after the physical exam.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
I have these additional questions:
Does MS affect the body symmetrically? For example would you get the exact same symptoms in both feet? Both arms?
How transient is the tingling and numbness? Would you get a tingling feeling for 10 or 15 seconds and be able to move a certain way to make it go away?
Optic Neuritis-Is it possible to mistake this? Would an Optometrist be able to detect it or would you need to see a specialist?
I thank you for your time and efforts!
No, MS does not usually affect the body symmetrically. However, there may be bilateral symptoms. No, usually parasthesias last longer than minutes, but this can also occur. I would not trust a optometrist to diagnose optic neuritis. There are many qualified optomistrist who could, however, I would see a opthalmologist or neuro-opthalmologist.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Would I be able to mistake optic neuritis ? Are the symptoms straight forward?
Bilateral means that it is both sides of your body, such as both the left and right arm. No, optic neurities is a loss of vision usually accompanied by pain.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Need to know where to go now? Wait several months and if no better redo tests?
Symptoms-- 10 years ago started with rectal spasms.
retinal detachments bilaterally 3 years ago.
visual difficulty- equilibrium came after eye problems, thinking it was only due to post surgery for the retinal detach.
9 months ago, after working outside developed trigeminal neualgia pain with bilateral arm discomfort - Heart checked out ok Symptoms progressed with, numbness and tingling of little fingers, muscle spasms of feet legs; which can be turned on at any time, burning sensation most of body, extreme weakness going up steps and walking at times, numbness sporadic of one foot or another, sensitivity to a warm bath,and have noticed , at times, dropping of the head will give shooting pain down arms. Now presently seem to be ? eye problems visually-peripheal vision- causing falling.
Tests- Nov-99 MRI , EMG, and blood tests normal Rhomberg-failed( sway left, right, back or forward.) Eye test by opthalmologist- Optic nerve involvement? questioning loosing field of vision--due to scarring? Confused to how long I should wait for further investigation. Thanks
Need to know where to go now? Wait several months and if no better redo tests?
Symptoms-- 10 years ago started with rectal spasms.
retinal detachments bilaterally 3 years ago.
visual difficulty- equilibrium came after eye problems, thinking it was only due to post surgery for the retinal detach.
9 months ago, after working outside developed trigeminal neualgia pain with bilateral arm discomfort - Heart checked out ok Symptoms progressed with, numbness and tingling of little fingers, muscle spasms of feet legs; which can be turned on at any time, burning sensation most of body, extreme weakness going up steps and walking at times, numbness sporadic of one foot or another, sensitivity to a warm bath,and have noticed , at times, dropping of the head will give shooting pain down arms. Now presently seem to be ? eye problems visually-peripheal vision- causing falling.
Tests- Nov-99 MRI , EMG, and blood tests normal Rhomberg-failed( sway left, right, back or forward.) Eye test by opthalmologist- Optic nerve involvement? questioning loosing field of vision--due to scarring? Confused to how long I should wait for further investigation. Thanks
I have been pursuing an answer to my problems for a while. The symptoms have been variable and the come and go. In 1991, I had very blurred vision that I could not shake for two weeks. It went away. Two years later my toes started tingling and my feet would weaken and go numb. That lasted for about 6 weeks, then it went away. A few months later the symptoms came back, but I also had difficulty swallowing. These symptoms came and went for about 3 months then remitted. In 1995, I started having all sorts of problems. I developed allergic reactions to foods I had eaten all my life. I would swell in my face and hands and my stomach would look like I was 6 months pregnant. I lost 22 lbs., and I was not over weight to begin with. I came down with eye infections, ecoli in my thumb( had to have surgery and be hospitalized for this), and developed moderate asthma. They think I have an autoimmune disorder, but not sure what. I remained slightly anemic and had elevated liver enzymes