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Neurology (Expert Forum)
variety of symptoms/biggie muscular
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variety of symptoms/biggie muscular
by SummerDays, Jul 31, 2003 12:00AM
Thank you to the Cleveland Clinic for hosting these informative boards and everyone for posting. I'm a 39YO male who has experienced a variety of symptoms. I've seen a Neurologist and a Rheumatologist. I'm interested in any suggestions anyone has to avenues to explore.
My main symptoms:
Mid March - chest and nasal congestion with cough, various bouts of pain in my back. Didn't seem to be able to recover as quickly following exercise or work like mowing the yard.
Mid April - started having a sensation of muscle movement in both arms followed 1 to 2 weeks by both legs. Arms and legs never exhibited actual tremor, but I had the constant movement sensation in arms and intermittent in my legs. Dexterity slightly affected intermittently (e.g. reach for light switch and miss by 1/4"). These sensations lasted until late May. "Cloudy" feeling in brain but no headaches but I felt very "normal" behind the cloudiness in my brain. I believe the muscle sensations kicked in following two days of intense fatigue where I slept for 3-4 hours during the day on two days. I have had some general tiredness as well. I also had another round of cold symptoms.
Early May - ///blood test - all okay = comprehensive metabolin panel, TSH, blood count with platelet and partial diff., Sed rate, Antinuclear antibodies, qualitative rheumatoid factors.///
Late May - heartburn kicked in followed by Gynecomastia. Muscular sensation of movement went away for about a week. ///Chest X-ray and EKG both looked good///
June - Constant achy/tired feelings in arms and occasionally similar feelings in legs kicked in and has been with me for most of the time. Dry mouth feeling for a couple of days following heartburn until I started taking Prevacid which made it go away. Eyes hurt a little although vision didn't seem to be affected (Dr. prescribed artificial tears). Mid June - 10 to 15 twitches in Rt arm bicep over about 5 minutes happened one time.
/// Blood test okay for Creatinine Kinase, Antibodies, Viral tillers (EBV, CMV), Liver tests and Urinalysis (r/o Nephitis), Sed rate.///
During at least June and July I believe I have had slightly reduced ability to feel things. For example, chigger bites usually drive me up the wall but a couple of them had reduced feeling of needing to be itched. In addition, practically all of these sensations have not resulted in me being in enough "pain" to where I needed to take something like Advil.
Early July - Eyes "hurt" (although not real painful) more and developed purple "bags under my eyes". Saw Ophthalmologist in a few days who only saw the dry eyes and an infection (Blephamide and Dry Eye ointment). "Purple bags" have appeared and re-appeared off and on since then. Right arm stayed "asleep" for an extra 2 minutes when I woke up one day. Rt. Arm mostly "woke up" but slight sensation continues to this day. For several days following this, I had several small periods of time where other parts of my Rt. Side have had a slight asleep sensation and even had a couple of "chills" only on my right side. ///MRI of my brain w and w/o contrast - normal///Rheumatologist reviewed my tests, gave me an exam, and could not see anything at the time that she would help me with.
Throughout this time (knocking wood) - my mental state has not diminished, no fevers, no urine/bowel movement problems, only lost 5 pounds in 4 months, intermittent various spots of "pain" on my back and neck (although many of the sensations after April not really painful), usually woke up 2-3 times a night early on but dramatically better the last 2 weeks.
My family has a history of HD so we will be investigating this. However, unless these are just precursors to HD's main symptoms, it sure seems like something else is going on. So, I'm looking for a major research center with strengths in neuro-muscular and knowledge of HD but I don't want to leave any stones unturned so up for any suggestions on tests, and other directions to look. Thanks!
My main symptoms:
Mid March - chest and nasal congestion with cough, various bouts of pain in my back. Didn't seem to be able to recover as quickly following exercise or work like mowing the yard.
Mid April - started having a sensation of muscle movement in both arms followed 1 to 2 weeks by both legs. Arms and legs never exhibited actual tremor, but I had the constant movement sensation in arms and intermittent in my legs. Dexterity slightly affected intermittently (e.g. reach for light switch and miss by 1/4"). These sensations lasted until late May. "Cloudy" feeling in brain but no headaches but I felt very "normal" behind the cloudiness in my brain. I believe the muscle sensations kicked in following two days of intense fatigue where I slept for 3-4 hours during the day on two days. I have had some general tiredness as well. I also had another round of cold symptoms.
Early May - ///blood test - all okay = comprehensive metabolin panel, TSH, blood count with platelet and partial diff., Sed rate, Antinuclear antibodies, qualitative rheumatoid factors.///
Late May - heartburn kicked in followed by Gynecomastia. Muscular sensation of movement went away for about a week. ///Chest X-ray and EKG both looked good///
June - Constant achy/tired feelings in arms and occasionally similar feelings in legs kicked in and has been with me for most of the time. Dry mouth feeling for a couple of days following heartburn until I started taking Prevacid which made it go away. Eyes hurt a little although vision didn't seem to be affected (Dr. prescribed artificial tears). Mid June - 10 to 15 twitches in Rt arm bicep over about 5 minutes happened one time.
/// Blood test okay for Creatinine Kinase, Antibodies, Viral tillers (EBV, CMV), Liver tests and Urinalysis (r/o Nephitis), Sed rate.///
During at least June and July I believe I have had slightly reduced ability to feel things. For example, chigger bites usually drive me up the wall but a couple of them had reduced feeling of needing to be itched. In addition, practically all of these sensations have not resulted in me being in enough "pain" to where I needed to take something like Advil.
Early July - Eyes "hurt" (although not real painful) more and developed purple "bags under my eyes". Saw Ophthalmologist in a few days who only saw the dry eyes and an infection (Blephamide and Dry Eye ointment). "Purple bags" have appeared and re-appeared off and on since then. Right arm stayed "asleep" for an extra 2 minutes when I woke up one day. Rt. Arm mostly "woke up" but slight sensation continues to this day. For several days following this, I had several small periods of time where other parts of my Rt. Side have had a slight asleep sensation and even had a couple of "chills" only on my right side. ///MRI of my brain w and w/o contrast - normal///Rheumatologist reviewed my tests, gave me an exam, and could not see anything at the time that she would help me with.
Throughout this time (knocking wood) - my mental state has not diminished, no fevers, no urine/bowel movement problems, only lost 5 pounds in 4 months, intermittent various spots of "pain" on my back and neck (although many of the sensations after April not really painful), usually woke up 2-3 times a night early on but dramatically better the last 2 weeks.
My family has a history of HD so we will be investigating this. However, unless these are just precursors to HD's main symptoms, it sure seems like something else is going on. So, I'm looking for a major research center with strengths in neuro-muscular and knowledge of HD but I don't want to leave any stones unturned so up for any suggestions on tests, and other directions to look. Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jul 31, 2003 12:00AM
It sounds from the description that you have not had major neurologic symtpoms such as loss of function in a limb, or complete loss of sensation. The fact that you have had a normal MRI is encouraging. Based on your description, it appears you have a more generalized process. You have already been screened for inflammatory disorders, but other things which could be checked include a rhuematoid factor, and anti-bodies for sjogren's syndrome.
I would agree with you seeing a Neurologist. I would recommend your second opinion be at a academic center. Good luck.
I would agree with you seeing a Neurologist. I would recommend your second opinion be at a academic center. Good luck.
Leif
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