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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Sensory Symptoms
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
Sensory Symptoms
by rcs2, May 02, 2007 12:00AM
Previous postings - tks for answering
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34541.html
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34286.html
I did have a MRI brain and C-spine with contrast (MS protocol from a well known University) and it was clean. Right know the symptoms are present everyday, I have a constant paresthesia on my face and scalp-left side. The following symptoms change with time: weird feeling now on both sides of my face (cheeks, jaw, chin line). These symptoms don't "stay" in the same area too long, for few minutes it's my on my cheeks, than around my join, then it's gone. The worse symptoms happen at bed time. My hands go numb (even if I'm sleeping on my back), sometimes it's the whole hand, sometimes it's only my pinkie). The same with my feet, sometimes it's only one foot, sometimes my big toe, sometimes both. Other day, I had a numbish patch on my knees (both) and about 6 inches bellow, at the same time – really weird. All these night episodes would go away after some massage/movement. This really intrigues me... My questions:
1) I haven't have headaches. Do you think with these new symptoms it would be a possible dx? My actual doctor didn't want to give me any meds for it.
2) MS. I quite don't get that the symptoms go away after massaging and moving, although I have the paresthesia all the time on my face for about 2 years.
3) Could Lupus be causing this? I didn’t have the rash… wasn’t tested for it. All my organs are working fine. I was tested for thyroid problems several times.
4) Drug/Circulatory all this started after I was medicated for my HBP. Now I have been on b-blocker for almost a year, could this med cause this? Could be something circulatory? (normal CAT scan and 2 MRIs).
5) What specific tests would you suggest me? LP – what should be checked on this exam? Could it be Lyme? (was tested - ELISA). SPECT scan?
6) I understand that a neurological dx can be tricky. Is it a common approach to “wait and see”? No words to thank for your help
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34541.html
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34286.html
I did have a MRI brain and C-spine with contrast (MS protocol from a well known University) and it was clean. Right know the symptoms are present everyday, I have a constant paresthesia on my face and scalp-left side. The following symptoms change with time: weird feeling now on both sides of my face (cheeks, jaw, chin line). These symptoms don't "stay" in the same area too long, for few minutes it's my on my cheeks, than around my join, then it's gone. The worse symptoms happen at bed time. My hands go numb (even if I'm sleeping on my back), sometimes it's the whole hand, sometimes it's only my pinkie). The same with my feet, sometimes it's only one foot, sometimes my big toe, sometimes both. Other day, I had a numbish patch on my knees (both) and about 6 inches bellow, at the same time – really weird. All these night episodes would go away after some massage/movement. This really intrigues me... My questions:
1) I haven't have headaches. Do you think with these new symptoms it would be a possible dx? My actual doctor didn't want to give me any meds for it.
2) MS. I quite don't get that the symptoms go away after massaging and moving, although I have the paresthesia all the time on my face for about 2 years.
3) Could Lupus be causing this? I didn’t have the rash… wasn’t tested for it. All my organs are working fine. I was tested for thyroid problems several times.
4) Drug/Circulatory all this started after I was medicated for my HBP. Now I have been on b-blocker for almost a year, could this med cause this? Could be something circulatory? (normal CAT scan and 2 MRIs).
5) What specific tests would you suggest me? LP – what should be checked on this exam? Could it be Lyme? (was tested - ELISA). SPECT scan?
6) I understand that a neurological dx can be tricky. Is it a common approach to “wait and see”? No words to thank for your help
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jul 18, 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.
The symptoms of parathesia's that come and go are common and do not signify any particular disorder. These symptoms are seen in many disorders such as multiple sclerosis, some migraine headache disrders, peripheral neuropathies, and in anxiety. The good thing is that you have been tested for the 'bad' causes of these symptoms (such as multiple sclerosis) and these tests have been negative. It is possible that your symptoms could be related to the peripheral nerves and a nerve conduction study/EMG might be helpful if that is the case. Given the symptoms that you describe a 'wait and see' approach may be reasonable, since some of the tests (ie LP, SPECT) have more risks than they would provide benefit. One possible medication trial would be neurontin or lyrica for neuropathic pain. This will not treat numbness, but it can take the pain or uncomfortable feeling away.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms of parathesia's that come and go are common and do not signify any particular disorder. These symptoms are seen in many disorders such as multiple sclerosis, some migraine headache disrders, peripheral neuropathies, and in anxiety. The good thing is that you have been tested for the 'bad' causes of these symptoms (such as multiple sclerosis) and these tests have been negative. It is possible that your symptoms could be related to the peripheral nerves and a nerve conduction study/EMG might be helpful if that is the case. Given the symptoms that you describe a 'wait and see' approach may be reasonable, since some of the tests (ie LP, SPECT) have more risks than they would provide benefit. One possible medication trial would be neurontin or lyrica for neuropathic pain. This will not treat numbness, but it can take the pain or uncomfortable feeling away.
I hope this has been helpful.
Member Comments (3)
by rainsummer, May 08, 2007 12:00AM
To: rcs2
Yes get tested for Lupus and Lyme disease..GOOD LUCK!
by rcs2, May 09, 2007 12:00AM
To: rainsummer
Thanks. I already had tests for Lyme (not Lupus). Will ask to have it repeated and get tested for Lupus.
