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Chemical imbalance???
My neuro has suggested that My symptoms may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. He has reffered me to see a neuropsychologist which I am happy to do, I'll do anything for an answer to my problems. He has also gone to great lengths to explain he believes me.
I have started looking to "chemical imbalance of brain" and can't really find any connection between what I am suffering and this condition so I am somewhat confused.
I have a constant numbness around the right side of my head so much so my right eyelid has dropped. When I try to look straight ahead I get an instant head ache on that side of my head. This is constant.I have a strange feeling on the right side of my throat and my tongue twitches on ocassions. My right arm goes from tingling to a feeling of pressure and numbness this causes my ring finger to pull in to the palm of my hand. My right arm does the same but less intense and it is not constant like with left one is.
My legs get pins and needle and if I sit still or lie down patches of them go numb. When I'm walking they feel like jelly and i cannot stand one leg or do the heel to toe walk. I occassionally get pins and needles down the sides of my body. I twitch and jerk in all sorts of places this is worse when I'm over tired.
I get very tired I go to bed in the afternoon for and hour or two so I can last the day (I work 4pm to 9pm 3 days a week and 9am to 2pm on a Saturday)
This has all come on over the last 7 months.
I do not have mood swings, nor do I drink, take drugs, or smoke (never). I have not experienced any stressful situation they may have been a trigger.I sleep relatively well although I do get woken by the pins and needles but I have no problem going to sleep or getting back to sleep. I'm not an anxious person and infact most people comment on how laid back I am. Yes I am frustated we cannot find an answer to the problem and getting somewhat desperate as up to this point I have really never been ill, never admitted to hospital had an operation or even stitches for that matter. Although I do have asthma which I manage well.
I have had an LP, Brain stem potentials, EEG, all have come back normal. 2 MRI's which the only finding was a solitary T2 Hyperintense focus in the right parietal subcortical white matter which is non specific. I am waiting for an SSEP.
Could you offer me your advise as to whether these symptoms can truely be caused by a Chemical imbalance of the brain as my research has shown no connection or is term just used when they simply don't know?
I have started looking to "chemical imbalance of brain" and can't really find any connection between what I am suffering and this condition so I am somewhat confused.
I have a constant numbness around the right side of my head so much so my right eyelid has dropped. When I try to look straight ahead I get an instant head ache on that side of my head. This is constant.I have a strange feeling on the right side of my throat and my tongue twitches on ocassions. My right arm goes from tingling to a feeling of pressure and numbness this causes my ring finger to pull in to the palm of my hand. My right arm does the same but less intense and it is not constant like with left one is.
My legs get pins and needle and if I sit still or lie down patches of them go numb. When I'm walking they feel like jelly and i cannot stand one leg or do the heel to toe walk. I occassionally get pins and needles down the sides of my body. I twitch and jerk in all sorts of places this is worse when I'm over tired.
I get very tired I go to bed in the afternoon for and hour or two so I can last the day (I work 4pm to 9pm 3 days a week and 9am to 2pm on a Saturday)
This has all come on over the last 7 months.
I do not have mood swings, nor do I drink, take drugs, or smoke (never). I have not experienced any stressful situation they may have been a trigger.I sleep relatively well although I do get woken by the pins and needles but I have no problem going to sleep or getting back to sleep. I'm not an anxious person and infact most people comment on how laid back I am. Yes I am frustated we cannot find an answer to the problem and getting somewhat desperate as up to this point I have really never been ill, never admitted to hospital had an operation or even stitches for that matter. Although I do have asthma which I manage well.
I have had an LP, Brain stem potentials, EEG, all have come back normal. 2 MRI's which the only finding was a solitary T2 Hyperintense focus in the right parietal subcortical white matter which is non specific. I am waiting for an SSEP.
Could you offer me your advise as to whether these symptoms can truely be caused by a Chemical imbalance of the brain as my research has shown no connection or is term just used when they simply don't know?
Functional - Not caused by any disease - ie caused by stress, personality disorder, somatization.
Sorry, this neuro's a jerk!
Q
Sorry, this neuro's a jerk!
Q
Also the neuro is say he beleives the cause of my symptoms are Functional but I don't really understand what he means by this?
Thanks for this info I shall bear thiss in mind when it is next suggested I have a "chemicl imbalance" Quix has also pointed out clinical evidence that would not be cause by this even if it does actually exsit.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Just to throw a spanner in the works, there actually is no scientific evidence of chemical imbalance, its all subjective, a well accepted 'theory' that has so far not been substantiated by consistent hard scientific evidence. Its another of those that cant really even be accurately determined on autopsy, which makes it a theory based on an individuals history and behaviors, determined by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
I dont know if anyone else has noticed but a psychiatrist will more likely prescribe medication, with out trying any 'therapy' or doing any blood tests looking for an organic cause. If the prescribed drug isn't working then your classed as drug resistant and get prescribed higher dosage or a different class, which is usually a psychotropic. A psychologist (who cant legally prescribe) will recommend therapy and if resistant to therapy, will refer to a psychiatrist for medication.
I am openly bias and strongly believe in psychology even with all its flaws, medication being a last resort not first line of attack but that doesnt mean i dont support the use of medication, because i do believe it can help if the situation warrents meds. I became reluctant to persue any medical assistance after the neuro-psychologist wanted to pass off what i experience as stress and that was with out any evidence that i had a history of stress or the related symptoms, yes i had evidence of cognitive decline but lets pass it off as stress because no one can argue with that theory.lol
Cheers.......JJ
I dont know if anyone else has noticed but a psychiatrist will more likely prescribe medication, with out trying any 'therapy' or doing any blood tests looking for an organic cause. If the prescribed drug isn't working then your classed as drug resistant and get prescribed higher dosage or a different class, which is usually a psychotropic. A psychologist (who cant legally prescribe) will recommend therapy and if resistant to therapy, will refer to a psychiatrist for medication.
I am openly bias and strongly believe in psychology even with all its flaws, medication being a last resort not first line of attack but that doesnt mean i dont support the use of medication, because i do believe it can help if the situation warrents meds. I became reluctant to persue any medical assistance after the neuro-psychologist wanted to pass off what i experience as stress and that was with out any evidence that i had a history of stress or the related symptoms, yes i had evidence of cognitive decline but lets pass it off as stress because no one can argue with that theory.lol
Cheers.......JJ
Yes I have another appointment in 2 to 3 months no exact date yet but by this time I should have seen the neuropsyocholist and had a second opinion and had SSEP tests done, he has already said that I would have the choice of continuing with him or the new neuro but he would like to see me anyway to evaluate what has happened.
The symptoms start with numb fingers on my left hand 7months ago and have got progressively worse.
The symptoms start with numb fingers on my left hand 7months ago and have got progressively worse.
Is he going to continue looking for a cause with you? (besides the "chemical imbalance.")
How long have you had symptoms?
Good luck with your 2nd opinion. I think that's a very good idea.
How long have you had symptoms?
Good luck with your 2nd opinion. I think that's a very good idea.
Yes my first MRI done without contrast was the brain and Cervical spine, all that showed on the cervical spine was slight wear to the left side between C6 & C7 which was normal considering my age.
Thank you everyone, I feel somewhat reassured. My view was to go to the neuropyschologist so that a chemical imbalance could be disscounted. I am having a second opinion with another neuro in a couple of weeks will make sure he notes the dropped eyelid for sure.
Dear Quix
you mention in your post you give an assement if you wouldn't mind doing this for me when you have the time I would be so grateful. Also I didn't really understand part in your first post referring to the pins and needles, I'm probabley being a bit thick.
thank you again
Twist
Dear Quix
you mention in your post you give an assement if you wouldn't mind doing this for me when you have the time I would be so grateful. Also I didn't really understand part in your first post referring to the pins and needles, I'm probabley being a bit thick.
thank you again
Twist
This has been researched pretty thoroughly. There is no evidence that stress/anxiety/depression cause MS in the first place.
However, there is pretty good evidence that "major" stress (not the day-to-day stuff) can bring on a relapse.
And you put you finger right on a major point about Major Depression. Instead of dismissing a patient's neurologic complaints when the neuro finds out they have a history of severe depression, it is recommended that a Major Depressive Episode within two years of the appearance of MS symptoms be considered a separate MS Relapse or Presentation.
The Depression should be a clue - as strong as a foot drop or bout of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Quix
However, there is pretty good evidence that "major" stress (not the day-to-day stuff) can bring on a relapse.
And you put you finger right on a major point about Major Depression. Instead of dismissing a patient's neurologic complaints when the neuro finds out they have a history of severe depression, it is recommended that a Major Depressive Episode within two years of the appearance of MS symptoms be considered a separate MS Relapse or Presentation.
The Depression should be a clue - as strong as a foot drop or bout of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Quix
I was wondering all this some time ago. I had brought up the thought that since MS can bring on depression what about depression/anxiety/stress bringing on MS...
The reason I was wondering is because I have seen so many stories including my own where depression/anxiety/stress was present before the MS. Maybe the MS was there all along just not visible and the only symptom WAS the depression. I don't know.
But this conversation is very interesting to me. Glad you posted this twist and thank you quix and supermum_ms for your very informative insight into this.
The reason I was wondering is because I have seen so many stories including my own where depression/anxiety/stress was present before the MS. Maybe the MS was there all along just not visible and the only symptom WAS the depression. I don't know.
But this conversation is very interesting to me. Glad you posted this twist and thank you quix and supermum_ms for your very informative insight into this.
COMMUNITY LEADER
My mother has had a chemical imbalance for over 50 years and at no time has she or anyone else she knows with chemical imbalances (over that no of years there has been many people she's met) have the experience of what we experience and talk about here. She is shocked by things that are being passed off as a chemical imbalance or in other words a mental health condition, we've had many many talks here about this and it is very common indeeed.
My psychologist was fasinated by conversion disorder and studied it with her mentor (senior psychiatrist) and what they came up with from all their research was a 33% incident rate of people dx with convertion disorder that was incorrectly dx, that documented 33% actually had a neurological disease. One of the problems is that psychological conditions can on rare occations mimic neurological conditions, though they are usually sensory in nature and not visible like hyper-reflexes.
I think what is happening in the nuero world, is that when they have clinical evidence and it is not supported by MRI they jump over to psychological as the explanation. I would much rather a neuro said i dont know what is causing your neurological symptoms but just so we cover all bases, lets get some neuro-psychological testing done and continue to investigate any other posibilities.
Just so your clear, you do have neurological symptoms, have the psych side investigated and if thats fine, then there is NO evidence to support the premis of a chemical imbalance or mental health condition, NO evidence means its only an unsubstanciated theory!! The accepted theory that the world was flat only changed with the solid evidence that it wasnt, you need evidence to disprove the theory. You'll also need proof whats happening to you is not psychological which only leaves physciological, getting tested will help with that.
Cheers..........JJ
My psychologist was fasinated by conversion disorder and studied it with her mentor (senior psychiatrist) and what they came up with from all their research was a 33% incident rate of people dx with convertion disorder that was incorrectly dx, that documented 33% actually had a neurological disease. One of the problems is that psychological conditions can on rare occations mimic neurological conditions, though they are usually sensory in nature and not visible like hyper-reflexes.
I think what is happening in the nuero world, is that when they have clinical evidence and it is not supported by MRI they jump over to psychological as the explanation. I would much rather a neuro said i dont know what is causing your neurological symptoms but just so we cover all bases, lets get some neuro-psychological testing done and continue to investigate any other posibilities.
Just so your clear, you do have neurological symptoms, have the psych side investigated and if thats fine, then there is NO evidence to support the premis of a chemical imbalance or mental health condition, NO evidence means its only an unsubstanciated theory!! The accepted theory that the world was flat only changed with the solid evidence that it wasnt, you need evidence to disprove the theory. You'll also need proof whats happening to you is not psychological which only leaves physciological, getting tested will help with that.
Cheers..........JJ
About blaming all things on a "chemical imbalance". A chemical imbalance in the brain would affect it globally - all over. You would see affective (mood) changes, personality changes, impulse, activity, things like appetite etc BUT you would NOT see localized neuro symptoms like assymetrical weakness, localized paresthesias, spasticity here, but not there. That is hogwash.
That ""diagnosis"" is the result of a very mediocre mind!
Q
That ""diagnosis"" is the result of a very mediocre mind!
Q
Yeah I got that to. It was my Psychiatrist who said you have something seriously wrong neurologically after looking at my reports. He was angered at how I had been treated for years.
Find another neurologist and if that one does not help find still another.
Alex
Find another neurologist and if that one does not help find still another.
Alex
My PCP tried telling me it was a chemical imbalance till i got on anti depressants and started seeing double vision. Then she sent me to an ophthalmologist and they said no damage but that it could be neurological so then the ophthalmologist sent me to a neuro-ophthalmologist. They did a bunch of blood work. Also did that test on my feet and the doctor said the same thing to me about my right foot.."very rapid reflexes" Said it was consistent with a c-spine lesion. Did an MRI of brain and spine and a ct scan and they found lesions that were consistent with a demyelinating process both in brain and spine. "MRI strongly suggest MS"..
I think it is possible that these symptoms can be caused by a chemical imbalance. And at the same time think they sometimes pawn it off on that. But might as well get checked out thoroughly just to make sure.
I think it is possible that these symptoms can be caused by a chemical imbalance. And at the same time think they sometimes pawn it off on that. But might as well get checked out thoroughly just to make sure.
I had pointed it out to him at one appointment and the appointment I had a few days a ago he asked me about it! whether he wrote it down who knows, He has however referred me for a second opinion.
This all starte back in september and has just slowly got progessively worse.
Thanks for your input Qux
This all starte back in september and has just slowly got progessively worse.
Thanks for your input Qux
Ooooh!!
You eyelid drooped = objective evidence of damage to Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor Nerve) responsible for lifting the eyelid.
I hope someone documented both of those things!
Quix
You eyelid drooped = objective evidence of damage to Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor Nerve) responsible for lifting the eyelid.
I hope someone documented both of those things!
Quix
Your neuro is suggesting that your symptoms are due to depression. At least that's how I read it.
He's copping out. Abnormally hyperactive reflexes have never been caused by by stress or depression. Shame on him. He is a man that is out of ideas and doesn't know what to do with the data (and person) in front of him.
Time to move on to someone willing to think a little harder?
I was diagnosed with a solitary brain lesion. Yes, ONE.
I will need to read your whole history again to see what kind of relapsing pattern you have had (if I haven't already done it. My brain is so full of holes now that I don't remember which people I have already given an assessment of). It sounds like you have hyperreflexia and a coordination deficit with the inability to Tandem Walk.
Sadly, the pins and needles do indicate a separate area, but they are "subjective." Some docs will not rely on a patient report for the diagnosis if the evidence is not otherwise good. They want "objective" evidence. Something they can see that can't be faked or exagerated by the patient.
The need is to have MRI lesion(s) that are "consistent" with MS. There is no need for a specific number unless you are using the MRI to substitute for either an attack or for evidence of another part of the CNS that has been damaged.
Your neuro is mediocre. Though he was kind enough to couch his impression in words that would not offend you. Hmmphh!
Quix
He's copping out. Abnormally hyperactive reflexes have never been caused by by stress or depression. Shame on him. He is a man that is out of ideas and doesn't know what to do with the data (and person) in front of him.
Time to move on to someone willing to think a little harder?
I was diagnosed with a solitary brain lesion. Yes, ONE.
I will need to read your whole history again to see what kind of relapsing pattern you have had (if I haven't already done it. My brain is so full of holes now that I don't remember which people I have already given an assessment of). It sounds like you have hyperreflexia and a coordination deficit with the inability to Tandem Walk.
Sadly, the pins and needles do indicate a separate area, but they are "subjective." Some docs will not rely on a patient report for the diagnosis if the evidence is not otherwise good. They want "objective" evidence. Something they can see that can't be faked or exagerated by the patient.
The need is to have MRI lesion(s) that are "consistent" with MS. There is no need for a specific number unless you are using the MRI to substitute for either an attack or for evidence of another part of the CNS that has been damaged.
Your neuro is mediocre. Though he was kind enough to couch his impression in words that would not offend you. Hmmphh!
Quix
Sorry I should have said that the neuro examination showed abnormally brisk reflexes and my right foot reflex was a cause for concern.
They always do bloodwork to eliminate MS mimics, like Lyme, sarcoidosis, heavy metal poisoning, b12 imbalances... But I've never heard anybody say 'chemical balance.' What I've found is that neuros will often try to explain symptoms that they can't find a reason for, even if the explanation is wrong.
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