Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Strange sensations
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
Strange sensations
by sk1220, Mar 04, 2005 12:00AM
Hi,
I am a 22 year old female. Three months ago I lost the function of my left leg (it felt like my hip was turning out, and my leg began dragging behind me). This has reoccured two more times. I went to the doctor and he said he thought I had sciatica. (there was no real weakness in my leg, I could still walk on my toes and on my heels, etc).
I have since developed a tingling sensation that goes down my back and into my legs. Sometimes it travels down my arms, too. There is nothing particular that triggers it, although sometimes it seems that I am very sensitive to touch, and tilting my head upward aggravates it more. More often it just happens for no apparant reason. I also have a tingling feeling in my left foot, and sometimes it feels like very small electric jolts are coming out of the balls of my feet. The fingertips of my left hand tingle (especially my thumb and ring finger). I went to a neurologist, he performed an exam and said I seemed normal, and it was very unlikely I have MS. I would like to put faith in the doctor, however there wasn't any testing beyond that one visit.
For a few years now I have also had random occurances where the top of my left hand feels as though it is tingling for a brief moment. It lasts for about 2-5 seconds. I have been overall in good health except for often feeling fatigued. Is this worth a second opinion? My family members say that they think I'm overly stressed - which is true, I have had some very stressful events happen over the past two years... I personally think I may be developing a bit of fibromyalgia. Thanks!
I am a 22 year old female. Three months ago I lost the function of my left leg (it felt like my hip was turning out, and my leg began dragging behind me). This has reoccured two more times. I went to the doctor and he said he thought I had sciatica. (there was no real weakness in my leg, I could still walk on my toes and on my heels, etc).
I have since developed a tingling sensation that goes down my back and into my legs. Sometimes it travels down my arms, too. There is nothing particular that triggers it, although sometimes it seems that I am very sensitive to touch, and tilting my head upward aggravates it more. More often it just happens for no apparant reason. I also have a tingling feeling in my left foot, and sometimes it feels like very small electric jolts are coming out of the balls of my feet. The fingertips of my left hand tingle (especially my thumb and ring finger). I went to a neurologist, he performed an exam and said I seemed normal, and it was very unlikely I have MS. I would like to put faith in the doctor, however there wasn't any testing beyond that one visit.
For a few years now I have also had random occurances where the top of my left hand feels as though it is tingling for a brief moment. It lasts for about 2-5 seconds. I have been overall in good health except for often feeling fatigued. Is this worth a second opinion? My family members say that they think I'm overly stressed - which is true, I have had some very stressful events happen over the past two years... I personally think I may be developing a bit of fibromyalgia. Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Mar 08, 2005 12:00AM
I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet
It does not seem like MS is excluded at this point, as between MS attacks the neurological examination can be normal, particularly in early MS.
Your symptoms seem to localize to the spinal cord, for instance, the fact that the symptoms are aggravated by head tilting supports this
If you have not had an MRI of the spinal cord (especially the cervical/neck region), you should
Also, as some of the symptoms, if caused by MS, could be coming from above the spinal cord, so a brain MR would be useful also.
There are other potential causes too which could be looked into, such as Vitamin B12 deficiency, Lyme disease etc
A second opinion may be a good idea if you have not had the above tests.
Good luck
It does not seem like MS is excluded at this point, as between MS attacks the neurological examination can be normal, particularly in early MS.
Your symptoms seem to localize to the spinal cord, for instance, the fact that the symptoms are aggravated by head tilting supports this
If you have not had an MRI of the spinal cord (especially the cervical/neck region), you should
Also, as some of the symptoms, if caused by MS, could be coming from above the spinal cord, so a brain MR would be useful also.
There are other potential causes too which could be looked into, such as Vitamin B12 deficiency, Lyme disease etc
A second opinion may be a good idea if you have not had the above tests.
Good luck
It is very nice to know I'm not the only one. I've been very afraid of some terrible things. Nothing really adds up because I am feeling all of these weird neurological-type sensations, but my mind seems to be good (minus a little attentivness). It has caused a lot of anxiety as well. Are you very sensitive to touch? Any touch sends shivers all the way up my head and down my legs, it's awful. I also can't stand the thought of temperature change. Like, if it's 72 degrees and I go outside into the cold I can't stand it. And if I've been in the cold and I go into the 72 degree place I can't stand it either. I think this is all probably just stress... And most of it started after I was referred to a neurologist which stressed me out greatly!!
- Susie