Possible disorder? Or just anxiety?

[Erace0810]

Everything started in June 2010. I woke up with numb arms and legs, which evoked a panic attack and a doctor visit. My vitals were normal, but they took some blood and proceeded to test me. Lyme was among the tests, and they told me I was positive for it. I was treated with antibotics for 21 days and that was that. The symptoms went away. (Numbness/heaviness in limbs, foggy head, trouble focusing on anything, mild confusion, extreme fatigue.) They came back a couple of months later, and I was then told that I do not have Lyme at all. We chalked it up to stress - even though I am the most relaxed and easy-going person I know - and left it at that. But the symptoms keep recurring, usually with months between them where I feel fine, save for an odd sort of awkwardness in the way I walk down stairs or when I shampoo my hair and type on the computer. I am asking whether or not this sounds like MS, because when I brought it up with my Dr. she said she would like to wait on an MRI because it's hard to sell on insurance companies, especially when I check out fine in my exams. She said that I have a SENSATION of weakness in my arms and legs, but I'm not actuallt weak, and that does not add up with MS. (She said we will look at this more agressively if it continues, though.) COULD this be anxiety? I will soon be starting anti-anxety medication, of course.

I had an eye exam done per my Dr.'s request, and it seems I am on the watch for glaucoma. I thought I would mention this, because I have such a heavy pressure in my head and eyes. (The back of my skull and the top, a tension in my neck as well.)

Currently I feel that same awkwardness in my hands and legs. INTENSE pressure in my head and eyes, I feel dizzy and cannot focus on anything visually. My vision seems almost blurry. Today marks 8 days like this and it doesn't seem to be getting better. I have some chest pain, which I might contribute to panicking over not knowing what this is.

So I suppose I'd like to know your thoughts. I understand you can't diagnose me, but I could use some other opinions. Thanks.

[COBOB]

Welcome to the forum.  

The first question that comes to mind is: Have they done and MRI of your brain and neck?  Lyme's disease detectable in blood is one thing.  The problem is that Lyme's can hide in the brain, termed neuroborreliosis.  There are also co-infections that can happen with Lyme's disease: babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis that need to be looked for.

Lyme's disease can cause demyelination in the central nervous system just like multiple sclerosis but from an infective cause.  Most neurologists should be aware of neuroborreliosis, but many PCPs may not be.  You should should be seen by a Lyme Literate MD (LLMD - there ar several in New Hampshire) or a neurologist familiar with neuroborreliosis (there are some at Tufts NEMC that I know.)  Just because your blood no longer shows Lyme's, and you completed 21 days of antibiotics, does not mean that there is nothing happening in your CNS.  

Hope this helps,

Bob

[Erace0810]

I forgot to mention that I am 25, female and usually moderately active.