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Neurology (Expert Forum)
a question about MS
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
a question about MS
by CHADDY, Jun 19, 2003 12:00AM
My mom has been having some strange symptoms. About a year ago she would tell me a lot that her hands were going to sleep, but she thought it was carpul tunnel. But they would fall asleep at various times throughout the day. Then a couple of months ago her teeth started hurting so she went to the dentist and told him that her face was numb also, he told her to go to her dr. Since that time her face gets numb on the right side on her jaw, nose, under her eye, sometimes on her forehead and also the numbness will extend around to the back of her head. She can feel something touching the outside of her face, but said inside that it feels like 'rubber', as when the dentist will give a shot of novacaine. Her right leg is tingling sometimes and I believe she mentioned her foot too tingling and going to sleep at times.
Some of this started when she under tremendous stress and some depression about 2 months ago. However, the facial numbness and hand numbness were already present before that time i believe. She has been getting her words messed up when she talks sometimes. It's not like cases I've seen when someone has a stroke though, meaning her speech hasn't slowed down and it's not slurred. And at times she has to sit down because she feels like she about to hit the floor if she doesn't.
Does this sound indicative of anything to you? In her family she has a history of parkinson's(father), Epilepsy & ALS(brother), cancer of uterus, ovaries, and another kind that infected the paracardium in her mom.
What would be the first thing you would look for?
Thank you,
Chad
Some of this started when she under tremendous stress and some depression about 2 months ago. However, the facial numbness and hand numbness were already present before that time i believe. She has been getting her words messed up when she talks sometimes. It's not like cases I've seen when someone has a stroke though, meaning her speech hasn't slowed down and it's not slurred. And at times she has to sit down because she feels like she about to hit the floor if she doesn't.
Does this sound indicative of anything to you? In her family she has a history of parkinson's(father), Epilepsy & ALS(brother), cancer of uterus, ovaries, and another kind that infected the paracardium in her mom.
What would be the first thing you would look for?
Thank you,
Chad
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Jun 23, 2003 12:00AM
Doesn't sound like ALS or Parkinson's. Seizures and complex migraines (even without a headache) are a consideration if her focal neurological deficits (numbness of the her face/arm/leg) occur in episodes. There are certain neurological diseases that occur in association with cancers such as ovarian cancer, but her symptoms do not sound typical of them. A formal neurological examination may be helpful and could help point her physician into the right diagnostic direction such as an MRI or EMG depending on what is found. Finally, stress can sometimes manifest as neurological symptoms or make neurological diseases worse. Good luck.
thanks,
chad
I have some questions:
1. she has to have a lumbar puncture and blood work. What are they looking for in particular?
2. If it is an infection, how long will it take to get rid of it and what kind of damage can it do?
3. Is MS controlable?
4. If it is MS will it continue to spread and is it degenerative?
5. Can people live a normal life with MS or does it cut their life short?
Thank you...I know this is long, but I am scared for my mom.
chad
I have some questions:
1. she had a lumbar puncture and blood work. What are they looking for in particular?
2. If it is an infection, how long will it take to get rid of it and what kind of damage can it do?
3. Is MS controlable?
4. If it is MS will it continue to spread and is it degenerative?
5. Can people live a normal life with MS or does it cut their life short?
Thank you...I know this is long, but I am scared for my mom.
chad
The lumbar puncture is the only way to truly and correctly diagnose MS. From my understanding, they take fluid and fill three vials. They run three different tests and if two of three come back positive, then it is MS. There are different types of MS. It is really really scary when the doctors start talking about it. I did all my research on line and educated myself about all of my treatment choices prior to choosing Copaxone. I found a chat area that was very beneficial and they are very good about answering questions or just being there to support you. The url is http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi
Please take the time to learn about MS with your mom. Lumbar punctures hurt. A lot. The doctors told me that it did not. Apparently only 5% of people experience pain with them and they are almost always overweight. I weighed 125 and am 5'3" and I am telling you that it was the absolute most painful experience of my life. I am not trying to scare you. I just wish I had been prepared for it. The MS society also has a great site and you can sign up to recieve the monthly magazine for free.
I'll check back on here to see how you are doing. Keep us posted of your Mom's progress.
Shannon
She still is having right sided numbness in her face and dizziness when she stands sometimes. This comes and goes. She did have 2 places on the MRI of white matter that showed up and that's what prompted the MS testing. She also went and had about 6-7 vials of blood drawn the other day. We don't know what to expect right now. Just waiting to hear.
She asked her neurologist if MS can cause depression and he said yes, it can. She has been going through depression and mood swings for several months now. I am hoping that this is related and it will diminish with treatment, if it is MS.
Do you still have flare ups? What kind of MS do you have? Can you give me a specific site for the site to order the magazine about MS? The other for the harvard link will not permit someone with AOL to access it, don't know why either.
I have been around neurology stuff for several years now. I was diagnosed at 25 or so with complex partial epilepsy and the uphill battle to control it completely. So I've been hitting the internet and others with it to see what to do and soak up what I can about it. For my mother it has not come back positive/negative yet, but I decided to get a jump on it and be ready in case it is so that I can help in whatever way possible.
Thank you very much for whatever ideas, info or help you can give. Thank you for taking your time to respond to this...I appreciate it! chaddy