Peripheral Neuropathy? MS symptoms?

Hi,

I'm a 26yo female, and I've been having symptoms that I think are pretty similar to MS.

I've been getting numbness, weakness and pins & needles in my left arm and leg, have been feeling exhausted by mid-afternoon (far more so than normal!!), experiencing extreme cold in my hands and feet which takes longer than usual to get rid of when I get into bed at night, and my memory seems to be shot.

I went to my doctor around a week ago, and he claimed it was some kind of peripheral neuropathy and gave me anti-inflammatories, telling me to take them for 2 weeks and see if it got better. I've been on them for a week and am seeing no change, any thoughts?

[doni54]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

It does sound like you are having some MS symptoms, but there are also lots of mimics.  I would suggest that if your symptoms continue, get a referral to a neuro, an MS specialist would be best.

There are lots of tests to rule out all the mimics and a good neuro would probably do this first.  The first tests to check for MS is MRIs; brain, c spine & t spine- some neuro's will call for the lumbar MRI also.

If lesions are found or not, in any of these locations, the neuro will want to do an LP (lumbar puncture).  This test is done to check for O bands, which are common in MS.

MS is difficult to diagnose, and hopefully your dr is correct with his dx.  If you don't improve I would check out a neuro.

I would also start a journal to keep up with the symptoms you are having.

There is lots of great info in our health pages, just click on the icon in the upper right of the page.

Look forward to getting to know you better.

doni

[100683]

Thanks doni. I don't tend to go to my dr unless I really think something's wrong...and he's one of those annoying ones who vaguely listens and tries to get you out the door as quick as possible!! Going to book another appointment but don't like doing in there and saying "I think you're wrong" but if the drugs aren't working then what else cna I do :)

[Todd36]

You found the right online forum.  People here are pretty good in helping answer your questions and concerns, and they’ve been great in helping me think of other possible outcomes other than MS.

I'm in the same boat as you i.e., trying to figure out what the heck I'm dealing with.  First, it sounds like you need to dump your primary doctor and find someone who cares about you as a patient.  Second, you may want to rule out other things that are easy to test first e.g., vitamin deficiencies.  Third, if your doctor suspects you’re dealing with a peripheral neuropathy, ask him/her to order an EMG?  I'm no doctor, but I serious doubt pills will cure a peripheral neuropathy – maybe I’m wrong.

I had an EMG a couple of weeks ago as I've been dealing with mostly muscle cramps/spasms/twitching but also had a bout with sensory loss in my hands and feet.  So far the drs haven't found anything wrong but I'm scheduled for a C spine MRI this Sunday.  Many of my symptoms have resolved or at least the intensity has diminished.

My recommendation is to knock off the easy things to test for first and then move to more aggressive/invasive/expensive tests.  Blood work and EMGs aren't nearly as much of a burden to your pocket book as MRIs.

Good luck!
Todd

[shoshin]

Hi! It does sound like you have something neurological going on.

Did your doctor say what he thinks is causing the peripheral neuropathy? Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom and the only way they can treat it is if they know what the underlying cause is (diabetes, some kind of entrapment, autoimmune reaction, there's a whole bunch of possibilities).

Todd is right that the usual tests for peripheral neuropathy are the EMG (electromyography) and NCS (nerve conduction study). There are also tests, although they're harder to come by, for small-fiber neuropathy, which doesn't show up on the EMG/NCS.

What kind of anti-inflammatories are you taking and what are they supposed to do?

FWIW, I was dx'd with idiopathic (unknown cause) peripheral neuropathy for six years so I did read a lot about PN. I finally went to a PN specialist who did more tests and turned around and said I had MS.

That sort of one-sided problem sounds more like MS to me, but in any event you should see a neurologist and have a thorough exam because if you do have MS, they'll have to rule out a bunch of other things first.

sho

[100683]

Thanks guys.

Todd - I've got a doctors appt booked tomorrow, going to see if he'll take me more seriously this time. I'm registering with a different doctor after that though! I had blood tests done a few months ago because I was worried about diabetes (finding it hard to swallow and being excessively thirsty - drinking up to 4l of water a day!!) but results came back fine. They tested for vit deficiencies and thyroid problems then too and everything was ok. Hope MRI gives you results...it really is horrible knowing you're ill but not knowing what's wrong :s

shoshin - doctor reckoned a trapped nerve, and put me on anti-inflammatories (diclofenac, tablets have a painkiller in them too) but it hasn't got rid of the symptoms. Will take your advice and suggest tomorrow that the dr refers me to a neurologist as they'll be far better placed to work out what's going on =)

[Todd36]

interesting...my dr originally thought i had a pinched nerve when my foot cramped up.  That's when he issued an MRI on my L spine and an EMG, but when both came back normal, he was a wee bit perplexed.  sorry to hear you can't swallow well.  at least you're staying hydrated - nothing wrong with H2O.

if the dr doesn't take you serious, just tell him/her that you're concerned with having MS and want to be tested for it.

i wish you a speedy dx...

peace,
todd

[Andibwhatever]

Rhematologist said I have PN. Had so many test done by a neurologist found nothing. Numbness started in both arms to my fingers and both feet last year. Now it goes up into my neck and up to my knees. I am so miserable most days, I have a few good but not many. I am on so many drugs not many help. Plus I have high blood pressure. The worst part is no insurance. Most doctors have no clue of what to do for me. Plus my migraines came back. I am so sick of being sick. I am seeing a specialist this week and another neurologist next month. But also on TV they have been saying Poligrip and Fixadent users are reporting neuropathy symptoms well I have had dentures. For almost 20 years. But they say if my zinc levels are high and copper levels are low then I have a case. But I found a better adhesive a few months ago so my levels might be normal now that I don't use them. But they say the PN from this is permanent. I just don't know what else to do. If anyone can think of questions for me to ask the doctor or test that I should have done I will be grateful. I just can't take the pain from the PN or migraines anymore.  And I am weak and dizzy sometimes too. This whatever it is really *****. Any comment send me a text to 504-444-7413 or email me at ***@****. I hope someone has a suggestion thank you in advance Andi*****