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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Help...is this likely MS or something else?
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Help...is this likely MS or something else?
by zzzeee, Aug 04, 2005 12:00AM
I'm a 33yr old male -3 wks ago had dizziness while seated (L/R swaying in head) for an hour...ended. Wk later happened again while seated; when walking, felt like I could faint at times,with tingling in right fingers and top of left foot; taken to ER for heart - everything normal. Dizziness remained and over next few days improved & evolved into slight sense of imbalance when walking - feeling of drift (likely unoticeable to observers). Began getting twitches mostly in left calf & leg, but some on the right. Some twitches in my back/torso Twice got muscle quivers in quads after walking. Now twitches mostly gone. Past few days my left leg feels fatigued, like I've done some squats. Sometimes its a slight itchy burning fatigue one might get when climbing stairs. Feeling sometimes goes into my prostate area. Comes and goes...often dissappears for hours...more with a lot of walking...sometimes feel it in morning after waking. Legs and knees often get sore at night (more on left side). Get abdominal tightness right side on some days. Occasioanl tingle right fingers. My muscle strength is good. So currently mostly have slight imbalance when walking, intermittent muscle fatigue, mostly left leg and muscle soreness. PCP neuro exam, was normal. Did brain MRI w/out contrast-normal. Blood tests-normal Could this be MS? MRI likely have found it with my symptoms? If MRI was done after dizzyness & tingling but before twitches & fatigue, could it have been too early? Symptoms too widespread for MS? W/ muscle sorness MS less likely? Viral? Should I worry, PCP is not.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Aug 09, 2005 12:00AM
There is no objective evidence that you have based on your history, exam, and imaging, although I have not seen any of them personally, and my advice is limited by that
MS can sometimes present with purely sensory symptoms, but not at the same time in different geographical nerve distributions. Muscle twitches and imbalance are not specific for MS, and can be caused by a variety of non-central nervous system disorders.
If the imbalance or 'dysequilibrium' persists, you coud see an otoneurologist,/ have your inner ear checked out. Imbalance can come from problems closer to the brain like the brainstem but are almost always associated with other symptoms such as vertigo, vomiting, slurred speech, double vision etc.
Brain MRI is a very good test for MS lesions, especially over time, so is almost always abnormal in MS. Widespread twitching as you describe is more suggestive of benign fasciculations.
Other potentials causes include an inner ear problem, dehydration, an electrolyte disorder, cervicogenic dizziness (from a neck problem), or anxiety
Good luck
MS can sometimes present with purely sensory symptoms, but not at the same time in different geographical nerve distributions. Muscle twitches and imbalance are not specific for MS, and can be caused by a variety of non-central nervous system disorders.
If the imbalance or 'dysequilibrium' persists, you coud see an otoneurologist,/ have your inner ear checked out. Imbalance can come from problems closer to the brain like the brainstem but are almost always associated with other symptoms such as vertigo, vomiting, slurred speech, double vision etc.
Brain MRI is a very good test for MS lesions, especially over time, so is almost always abnormal in MS. Widespread twitching as you describe is more suggestive of benign fasciculations.
Other potentials causes include an inner ear problem, dehydration, an electrolyte disorder, cervicogenic dizziness (from a neck problem), or anxiety
Good luck
I made my elderly parents get tested for low B12 and they both have. My 86 year old mother is now getting shots. I haven't been able to find much on genetics and B12.