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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Are these MS Symptoms or something else?
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Are these MS Symptoms or something else?
by sunshine657, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
I am female, 45, and my symptoms started about 6-8 weeks ago. They got worse for 3 weeks, and are now subsiding. It started with tingling/pins & needles on my face, scalp, right arm and legs. I also get sharp, electric shock-type pains all over my body. These shocks cause a strong jerking of my stomach muscles, but the jerks also happen without the shocks--sometimes I jerk in response light and sound. This only happens when I'm wide awake. At first, I would jerk hundreds of times in an evening, but now I get just a few jerks a day. I've had 6-8 episodes of dizziness that came on fast, lasted 1-2 min, but left me feeling out of it for several hrs. Fatigue has also been an issue. Being outside on a hot day greatly exacerbates the fatigue, but doesn't seem to worsen any of the other symptoms. I also have on-going cognitive issues (memory and word-finding problems). I was pretty sick with West Nile Virus(WNF)2 yrs ago, and the cog. problems started then. Things mostly got better after my illness, and then made a pretty significant comeback these last two months. Also, in the last yr, I've had something happening occasionally with my eyes where for 1-2 sec it feels like my eyes are having spasms, and I can't see anything. I've also had recurring episodes of Scleritis over the last 5 years, and significant, repeated testing for auto-immune problems (RA, lupus, etc.), all of which has always been negative. Does this sound like MS, or are there better explanations?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jun 14, 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 that you describe are non-specific, but may be related to the affect that West Nile Virus has had on you or something else such as muliple sclerosis. West Nile Virus attacks the nervous system and causes damage to the brain (causing the cognitive problems) and the spinal cord (which can cause weakness and the jerks that you describe-also called myoclonus). Antoher possibility is that you may be having seizures, which can also follow after a west nile viral infection. Multiple sclerosis is not impossible, but it seems less likely since you already have a likely explanation in your history of west nile virus infection. I would suggest an MRI of the brain and Cervical spine with contrast (this will show any signs of MS), an EEG (to evaluate for seizures) and an EMG (to evaluate for the affects that west nile has on the spinal cord).
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe are non-specific, but may be related to the affect that West Nile Virus has had on you or something else such as muliple sclerosis. West Nile Virus attacks the nervous system and causes damage to the brain (causing the cognitive problems) and the spinal cord (which can cause weakness and the jerks that you describe-also called myoclonus). Antoher possibility is that you may be having seizures, which can also follow after a west nile viral infection. Multiple sclerosis is not impossible, but it seems less likely since you already have a likely explanation in your history of west nile virus infection. I would suggest an MRI of the brain and Cervical spine with contrast (this will show any signs of MS), an EEG (to evaluate for seizures) and an EMG (to evaluate for the affects that west nile has on the spinal cord).
I hope this has been helpful.
Have you seen a neurologist about this? Or even a physician? Have you sought treatment for your cognitive problems?
Since I am unable to provide insight into your situation, I really hope a doctor will respond to your questions soon!
Take care!
Were you prescribed antibiotics? Any strong antiparasitic medicine?
Knowing what drugs you have ingested will make it easier to discard a delayed reaction (extremely common with some antibiotics like cipro or levaquin) or certain antimalarials (like lariam) as the cause of your sickness.
Always get a second opinion, but get them to tell you what they think you might have so you don't have to spend the miserable weekend wondering what you may have. I am afraid and scared and I don't know what to do anymore. I don't want to be a burden to anyone and I am not married. What do I do now???