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Neurology (Expert Forum)
continuing burning sensation--at wits end with pain
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continuing burning sensation--at wits end with pain
by patches748, Mar 17, 2002 12:00AM
I am female and 53. On 2/12/02 I suffered intense burning, some numbness & weakness on left side from scalp to foot. exams since then shows weakness on left side. Had MRI 2 weeks after that and did show possible two mini-strokes in past. Current Dr. said no big deal.
3/8/ I woke to tremors in head and neck, nausea, migrating severe sharp pains and burning patches, mostly in left side but some in right. Went to VA and they counseled me about psych meds but saw no doctor.
on 3/9 went back with weakness in left arm and burning patches in body. After all day there (included CT scan) and was told I was OK and go home. Was called by my counselor who told me they felt I had a TIA, but again with VA no follow up.
since episode on 2/12 I have sharp burning sensation, mostly on left side, but also some patches on right. it flucuates in intensity becoming more frequent and happens every day now.
The VA is still trying to blame everything on FMS and psychiatric problems saying it is somatic but many of the problems i believe are not somatic as recent MRI, eye exam(atrophy both optic nerves & cataracts, etc.) show there are continuing problems.
1) what can cause the burning sensation in body along nerve paths?
2) why do these sensations migrates to different parts of the body or flucuates?
3) could this be just residue of stroke-like symptoms on 2/12?
4) what could flare up the nerves in the body like this (don't have diabetis, nor drink, or do drugs)?
5) could episode on 2/12 started some kind of flare up in the nerves?
thank you very much.
3/8/ I woke to tremors in head and neck, nausea, migrating severe sharp pains and burning patches, mostly in left side but some in right. Went to VA and they counseled me about psych meds but saw no doctor.
on 3/9 went back with weakness in left arm and burning patches in body. After all day there (included CT scan) and was told I was OK and go home. Was called by my counselor who told me they felt I had a TIA, but again with VA no follow up.
since episode on 2/12 I have sharp burning sensation, mostly on left side, but also some patches on right. it flucuates in intensity becoming more frequent and happens every day now.
The VA is still trying to blame everything on FMS and psychiatric problems saying it is somatic but many of the problems i believe are not somatic as recent MRI, eye exam(atrophy both optic nerves & cataracts, etc.) show there are continuing problems.
1) what can cause the burning sensation in body along nerve paths?
2) why do these sensations migrates to different parts of the body or flucuates?
3) could this be just residue of stroke-like symptoms on 2/12?
4) what could flare up the nerves in the body like this (don't have diabetis, nor drink, or do drugs)?
5) could episode on 2/12 started some kind of flare up in the nerves?
thank you very much.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Mar 17, 2002 12:00AM
SOrry to hear about your symptoms. There is a condition of post stroke burning pain associated with a stroke in the part of the brain called the thalamus. The stroke itself consists of one side of the body becoming numb. Later on, symptoms of burning pain occur in th region of numbness. However, migrating burning sensations are less easily localizable to any one part of the nervous system and do not fit with any particular stroke syndrome. I recall our previous communications and your problems with B12 deficiency which this could also be possibly related to. Also, they could just be a painful peripheral neuropathy due to a multitude of diseases such as diabetes which can be evaluated with EMG. As for treatment, there is no known cure but you could try neurontin, elavil, or tegretol. Good luck.
Stay on the internet. Don't worry about the previous comment. I don't believe that your symptoms are psychosomatic at all. You have plenty of evidence of physical problems, from chemical toxicities, to Vitamin B 12 deficiency, and others.
What does your brother think of "Chelation Therapy" 9oral, rather than intravenous), as a possible help for your situation?
Good luck to you and to everyone!
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
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Concerned lady, thanks very, very much. I try to remember that everyone comes from a different place and sometimes they cannot withhold nasty or angry remarks. It is easy if we don't feel good but that does not excuse rudeness.
I know for a fact that my symptoms are not psychosomatic for the simple reason that eventually the problems show up on some test. We are not all gifted (tongue in cheek) with bizarre symptoms.
My brother does not think that I am healthy at the moment for Chelation therapy and is trying to get my body up to handling it but thanks for the thought.
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thanks, zoltanvarga,
we all have things we have to deal with and we all seek answers. I have often found those who have not accepted their disability to have anger or bitterness issues. We have to stay within our limitations but that does not mean we cannot express ourselves or be concerned about new issues that may be popping up for all of us. I have found that if I get on early in the morning and keep trying that I can post which means anyone else can if they are patient enough. It serves no purpose to attack or alienate others if we are having difficulty in dealing with our own issues. Thanks, Ann, ever so much.
JXL, I know basically what you are trying to say, but I think you put it rather strongly and rudely. Patches is looking for help. Sometimes just talking to a community of people (even internet people!) is therapuetic.
Patches, I am sorry you are having symptoms that are frightening to you. The trouble is, you can't rely totally on MRI and CT scans to pinpoint these symptoms. Did you know that if you gave 100 "normal" people an MRI, "abnormalities" will show up on about 80%? I spent a lot of time agonizing about something that showed up on mine, until a neurologist I happened to meet socially told me that. His advice? Anything life threatening GENERALLY has clear, convincing, and consistent evidence on MRI or CT. He said not to worry about most anything else unless of course, you are becoming more and more ill. Most vague and "odd" symptoms will eventually resolve (as mine did) if you don't focus on it.
If your weird symptoms are medical in origin, eventually there WILL be clear and strong medical evidence. Until then, there is not much you can do anyway, but eat healthily, don't drink or smoke, and enjoy your work and play. We are all only here for a brief time.
I hope you can try to resolve whether the B12 issue is contributing at all. It certainly could be.
Wishing you well,
christie
Actually, that's a pretty nifty "handle" for me! I am VERY concerned with:
1) our SICK medical system that treats SYMPTOMS instead of looking for, finding, and treating the CAUSES of the symptoms,
2) our SICK insurance system that is mostly out for their own PROFITS, at the expense of their customers' health & lives,
3) our SICK governmental "protective" (who are they really protecting?!) agencies like the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), that is in BED with drug companies and dangerous chemical companies, and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that has had its own SICK BUILDINGS harming THEIR OWN EPA EMPLOYEES!
4) the SICK collusion between the FDA & drug companies, hiding behind the ridiculous "SMOKESCREEN" of "risk/benefit ratio" justifica