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MedHelp Member's Question

Help?

by Jenny Wren, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
I just recently had extensive bloodwork done to rule out any other cause to these weird sensations that I have been experiencing for 6 years now.  Bloodwork includes: ESR, ANA, antiphospholipid, SPEP/IPEP, EBV, Metabloic panel, cholesterol, and Lyme (which I know isn't to accurate).  I had a brain MRI in April 06, w/ and w/o contrast, c-spine in Sept 06, and lumbar in October 06.  Everything is normal, except for the bulging disk.  I have been taking Topomax for 3 months now, and it has helped alot with the migraines, but not the weird feelings.  I went to a new neuro on Dec 22, she is the one who sent me for the bloodwork.  She was asking me what other bloodwork that I had done before, I told her, she wanted to do some different ones.  She then stated that sometimes a virus can cause these sensations, and that she wanted me to be tested for EBV.  I WAS tested for EBV, 6 years ago when I began to get sick, this was during the 3 months of extreme nausea.  It was only shortly after that the bug crawling sensations started.  She acted suprised and told me that I should have mentioned that to her in the beginning.  She told me that she had seen a few people in the past few months with the same symptoms, she prescibed Metanx.  The Metanx has really helped alot with these feelings. 1.Could my problems be caused by EBV?  2.Should I go ahead and have the LP done?  3.  Why did these feelings get worse when I started taking Prozac? and lastly, 4. Could this be RLS, or maybe BFS? Prozac made everything worse.  Thanks for your time, and have a Happy New Year, too!!
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jan 27, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.

   I am glad to hear that you migraines are better on the Topamax.  Sometimes, the "weird feelings" can be associated with migraines, but if the migraines are getting better, but the feeling are not they are likely separate disorders.  I do not think EBV has anything to do with the symptoms of "bugs crawling under the skin".  This is not something I have ever heard of with EBV nor can I find any information that suggests this in the literature.  As far as being treated with Metanx, this is odd as well.  Metanx is a vitamin complex (B6, B12 and active Folate), which is not bad for you, but the only thing it treats is low vitamin levels or high homocysteine (neither of which cause bug crawling sensations).  The other causes of bug crawling sensations (also called formication) are psychosis, cocaine/amphetamine use and alcohol withdrawal.  Perhaps you should consult a psychiatrist to see if a trial of risperdal would be indicated (I am not an expert in psychosis, and would depend on their judgement).  The symptoms that you have described do not sound like restless leg syndrome (this is an uncomfortable sensation in the legs, associated with an urge to move them, that is helped by movement and is worse at night).  Benign fasciculation syndrome is possible, but unlikely given your descriptions.  BFS usually involves the slight twitching of muscles all over the body that is repetative (but not associated with creepy crawling sensations that make clothes uncomfortable.  Formication (bugs crawling under the skin) is also a side effect of labetolol (an antihypertensive) in some patients.

I hope this has been helpful.
Member Comments (12)

by JCmcc, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: Jenny Wren
Haven't you posted here before? I thought that you had Lyme disease?

by Jenny Wren, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: JCmcc
Yes, I posted here before, I am in the process of elimination.  My next step is a visit to Dr. S in Pa.  I tested negative for Lyme with the Elisa.  This was done just this past April, after 6 years of symptoms.  My only real symptoms is the parathesia. I just seen my OB/GYN today, I'm off to have my hormone levels checked.  Thanks!!!

by JCmcc, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: Jenny
Jenny,

  Your only symptom is parethesias? Have you had an MRI of the c-spine with contrast? As well, where does the parethesias effect you?

by Jenny Wren, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: JCmcc
Yes, the only thing that showed was the bulging disk.  I have been taking the Metanx for almost 3 weeks now, the paresthesia has really lessened alot, but still there a little.  I have never experienced numbness, bowel/bladder problems, vision is fine, heat makes me feel better, not typical MS symptoms.  The paresthesia affects me legs, only when sitting, upper back, and face, it has never been on my chest or stomach, and hardly ever below my knees.  Its really weird.  The trigger point injections have helped alot with the facial tingling, and xanax alleviates alot of it also. What do you think?

by JCmcc, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
What is metanx? I think that you have cerifiable Lyme disease but that is just a thought.

by Jenny Wren, Jan 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: JCmcc
Metanx is a medicinal form of B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid.  My neuro says that its potency is higher than a B-12 injection.  When this first started 6 years ago, it was 3 months of nausea, I had all kinds of stomach tests done, nothing showed, then almost as soon as the nausea went away, the bug crawling sensations started.  My husband has had 3 deer ticks removed from him in the past 9 years. I live in PA, so its pretty bad here. When I had the brain MRI done in April, I had a "extensive sinus thickening" the radiologist said, I took 3000 mg of amoxicillin for 2 weeks, then it still wasn't gone, so I took Biaxin also for another 2 weeks, I forget the mgs.  I didn't experience any "herx" though.  I am really confused, but hopefully on my way to finding an answer soon.  Thanks, so, how have you been feeling?

by JCmcc, Jan 10, 2007 12:00AM
39 things you DON'T know about Lyme Disease





Symptoms range from mild to crippling and mimic everything from chronic fatigue to TB - and worse

04/27/06

By STAR-GAZETTE HEALTH EDITOR

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BULL'S EYE RASH: Only three of 10 Lyme patients get the rash, but it is, according to the CDC, the only definitive marker for Lyme.  

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES and cutting-edge researchers agree - Lyme Disease is the "illness with a thousand faces."



"The Great Imitator" ravages patients with at least 39 symptoms that make the infection difficult to diagnose.



The similarity of Lyme symptoms to those caused by lupus, lymphatic cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV-AIDS, fibromyalgia, depression and other serious illnesses vexes doctors.



Those who haven't kept up with developments in Lyme research often write their patients off as hypochondriacs.



They put them on anti-depressants or send them to see a psychiatrist, claiming Lyme is "rare" and "not in this part of the country," even though skyrocketing numbers of infections have been documented in every state.



Other doctors believe their patients are sick, but refuse to believe they have Lyme