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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Possibly MS
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Possibly MS
by nervistcc, Aug 24, 2005 12:00AM
28 yr old male, no significant med history except thyroid ablation with radio iodine now take levothyox 175 mcg. Seems well regulated now, but for previous year was basically hypo. Strong family history for rheumtalogical disease. drink consume alcohol 15-20 drinks per week.
Complaints = sensory abnormalities, widespread twitches, spasms, cramps and aches and pains. All fleeting. Usually last only a few moments with the exception of twitches in my feet which are near constant, but some days much worse than other. These twitches cause all my toes to move and frequently precede painful cramps. Sensory problems include pins and needles in hands feet, occasional mild numbness on soles of feet and recently my knees, but lately more and more pain. Large leg muscles feel tight but haven;t started cramping. Some general malaise
Rheumatoligist workup (RA, ANA, Sed rate, ANCA) was completely normal. b-12 normal. Homocysteine was slightly elevated. Neuro workup normal except incidental finding of pineal cyst or pineal cytoma. (MRI with and w/o contrast normal. EMG and Nerve conduction normal. exam Normal maybe slightly brisk reflexes in my legs)
Even though MRI had no evidence of MS, Im still very concerned. I've read that paroxysmal sensory symptoms are pretty specific for MS. Plus it seems like everything else has been ruled out. And I understand one clear MRI defintely cannot rule out MS.
Is it fair to say that paroxysmal sensory problems like mine are fairly MS specific? What's your best guess as to the likelihood of ultimate MS dignosis. Anything else it could be?
Complaints = sensory abnormalities, widespread twitches, spasms, cramps and aches and pains. All fleeting. Usually last only a few moments with the exception of twitches in my feet which are near constant, but some days much worse than other. These twitches cause all my toes to move and frequently precede painful cramps. Sensory problems include pins and needles in hands feet, occasional mild numbness on soles of feet and recently my knees, but lately more and more pain. Large leg muscles feel tight but haven;t started cramping. Some general malaise
Rheumatoligist workup (RA, ANA, Sed rate, ANCA) was completely normal. b-12 normal. Homocysteine was slightly elevated. Neuro workup normal except incidental finding of pineal cyst or pineal cytoma. (MRI with and w/o contrast normal. EMG and Nerve conduction normal. exam Normal maybe slightly brisk reflexes in my legs)
Even though MRI had no evidence of MS, Im still very concerned. I've read that paroxysmal sensory symptoms are pretty specific for MS. Plus it seems like everything else has been ruled out. And I understand one clear MRI defintely cannot rule out MS.
Is it fair to say that paroxysmal sensory problems like mine are fairly MS specific? What's your best guess as to the likelihood of ultimate MS dignosis. Anything else it could be?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Aug 26, 2005 12:00AM
I just read your post and the Doctor's, as well. Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking thank God you don't have MS.
If all you have to do is drop the drinking, all should be all right and back to normal. Doesn't that make you feel absolutely fantastic?!!! I personally know people who do have MS and this is something you sure pray to God you never become afflicted with. I am older than you by 20 years. You are only 28 and have your entire life ahead of you. How lucky you are! I'm not in any way trying to preach at you or anything but when I was 25 I nearly died from not being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Now, everyone pretty much knows what that is. Then, they didn't.
I had to be flown out to a University Medical Center that was close to where I live because any further than that I would have died. They diagnosed me quickly, Thank God. It was just so scary and the last 20 years of dealing with Crohn's and Crohn's related problems - which are many, has been no picnic. My entire life plan changed in a split second. What came so easy before became a challenge every day since I was finally figured out. Now, I'm in big trouble. Things have caught up with me concerning the Crohn's and other terribly painful issues that I deal with on a 24/7 basis. No help yet on this but I'm trying
to find some - somewhere. The place I went 20 years ago no longer deals with these issues, unfortunately.
The saying of when you lose your health you lose everything is pretty much true. Please do yourself and all those around you who love you and quit drinking. I guarantee it will catch up with you and you will sadly regret it if you don't. If you feel that you have a problem with this - then seek help and stick to it. You have to admit that you have a problem first before you can receive any help for it. I believe you know that and that's why you mentioned in your post just how much you drink per week. Whoa! Don't allow yourself to end up with terrible problems that will be related to drinking booze when the rest of us who don't drink and can't because of medication issues and such would give anything to be in your position. Yours is a minor problem compared to most and can be corrected immediately. Seeking help is great but you have to do the work and then stick to never drinking again. Who needs the problems from that? I do hope that you feel that over 15 to 20 drinks a week is a problem that you, and only you, can fix.
God Bless You and Help you through this trial - I know what you are going through isn't easy but again, lucky you that it can be
corrected. Set an example for others to see and maybe help people along the way with the accomplishments that I am just certain you will make with your life. Don't waste anymore time with your precious life on booze - Spend it correcting the problem you have and then go out and help others with your sucess story. You have the chance to make a big difference not only in your life but in the lives of others. You get to chose, the rest of us here on this site and on others have not been so lucky. We have to deal with illness' that we never wanted or expected to land on our door steps................
Empreinte ~