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Neurology (Expert Forum)
lots of strange incidents - anything to be alarmed about?
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lots of strange incidents - anything to be alarmed about?
by othermatt, Oct 14, 2004 12:00AM
For the last two years I've had lots of strange incidents, sometimes lasting just a few days, sometimes ten days or more, where I would get lots of weird electrical sensations - big electric shock-like feelings down both my arms when I sneeze, numb arms, or the feeling like there was a half-dozen nine volt batteries in my calves and left shoulder - muscles like tingling and shivering. A few times the whole right side of my torso went completely numb - very alarming actually, but in a few minutes completely normal again - other times when my balance is way off, and every time (so far anyway!) after a few days or so I go right back to feeling pretty much completely normal. Last week though I had another one of these "weird couple of days" and on top of the weird tingly shivery muscles and the balance problem (where at one point I was standing there and I just started to tip over! people in my office were asking me if I'd been drinking hahaha) I also had these weird muscle jerks in my abdominal muscles and the back of my neck. I guess my question is, does any of this add up to something I should be worried about, or should I keep ignoring it as long as it keeps going away? If it makes any difference, I'm a 34 year old male in otherwise excellent health. I don't work out intensely or anything like that, but I walk a few miles a day and generally feel pretty good (except for these weird things that keep happening.)
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Oct 18, 2004 12:00AM
I would recommend that you discuss this with your doctor or a neurologist. This is not normal (even though it goes away) and should be investigated. Based on your complete history and examination tests will be arranged. This may include an MRI of the brain and cervical spine. Also you may have several blood tests. Without examining you I cannot localize the problem or identify specific disorders, but you should have this evaluated. Good luck.
I'll let you know what I find out. Thank you enormously for your input. A little guidance from a professional is just about the only way to know if you should pursue or ignore a sporadic, forgettable, but sometimes scary set of mysteries :)
Head, Face, Neck
Unexplained hair loss
Headaches, mild or severe
Twitching of facial or other muscles
Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
Tingling of nose, cheek or face
Stiff or painful neck or creaking
Jaw pain or stiffness
TMJ – sudden onset
Sore throat
Loss of sense of taste
Difficulty Swallowing
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Double, blurry or dim vision
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Over sensitivity to light
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Optic neuritis
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Neurological System
Tremors or unexplained shaking (especially at night)
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
Weakness or partial paralysis/stroke-like symptoms
Pressure in the head
Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
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Sudden jerking of fingers or entire limbs
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Males only:
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Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well. (You may not even recall this.)
LYME FACTS
1. You do not have to recall a bite