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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Weird symptoms
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Weird symptoms
by JLK, Feb 02, 2004 12:00AM
I am a male who is 31 years old and have had chronic neck pain for several years. I recently have been diagnosed (6 months ago) with a C6-C7 radiculopathy which has atrophied my right chest and tricep. The atrophy has stopped. Then 2 months ago, I felt an extreme tightness going from my right groin to me knee while driving. It progressed over the next few days to my buttocks and my right leg began to feel tired. I began getting fasiculations all over my legs. I then started feeling these symptoms (a lot milder in my other leg). Then I started getting sore spots and weakness in my legs especially the buttocks and back part of the legs and into my feet. It is a lot more severe in my right leg. Now my toes on my right foot are weaker and my right calf muscle is tight and a little sore down into my ankle. My joints in my knee and ankle are starting to pop more. I do not exercise, so I know it is not from that. My right calf feels like it is getting weaker and seems smaller. My toes are getting weaker as well on my right side. I have gone to a neurologist and passed the physical exam. They did do an EMG even though I have only had the symptoms for a month then and it came up negative. The fasiculations and muscle weakness bother me. The muscle soreness is not severe, but it is still in my buttocks----down into my calf and into my feet. When I walk now, my right leg seems to be turning inward and my gait seems to be changing inward. Does this sound like a possible serious disorder to you? What could this be?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Feb 05, 2004 12:00AM
The EMG completed after a month of symptoms would have shown changes if there was an abnormality, depending on which muscles and nerves were tested. Also, it sounds like your neurologic examination was normal, therefore if you have weakness it is mild. Disorders which should be evaluated include connective tissue diseases, vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), and inflammatory conditions. Some blood tests which could be done include an anti-nuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase, aldolase, and thyroid stimulating hormone to start with. The other thought is to have other regions of your spine evaluated to make sure there are no structural lesions.
You could discuss this with your current neurologist or obtain a second opinion at an academic center. Good luck.
You could discuss this with your current neurologist or obtain a second opinion at an academic center. Good luck.
Member Comments (2)
by JLK, Feb 02, 2004 12:00AM
Mri on back is negative for disk