Strange Symptoms

Question

Trying to see if anyone else has had these symptoms.  

Brief background.  I'm don't have a definitive dx for MS, though I have had transverse myelitis, O-bands found through an LP and multiple symptoms of tingling, numbness, and cognitive impairment.  I'm in the middle of a second episode and a new set of MRIs are on their way.  Meanwhile, here are my new symptoms.

Almost euphoric numb sensations -- stomach butterflies, alomost like I'm about to go on stage -- other-worldly detachment, almost like I am on a pain medication.  I cannot find reference to these symptoms anywhere because where others describe pain or constricyion, I hate to say these symptoms almost feel "good."  They certainly are NOT good because they are distracting, inhibit regular work, and a bit scary.  However, in a vaccuum, they feel like I'm almosthigh on something.

Strange?

jensequitur · Accepted Answer

Before my diagnosis, I had these weird moments when I felt detached from the conversation I was having.  Almost as if somebody else was having the conversation, and I was listening in!  Very strange.  Sometimes it would be my turn to talk, and I would have no idea what I was going to say next.  That turned into losing track of the conversation, but really part of my problem was that it felt like another person was having the conversation, not me.  This was always on the phone.  I have similar problems, although not as bad, with spoken conversations.

As you say, really hard to describe.  I have lesions in my brainstem and my corpus callosum, which controls both halves of the brain.  My theory is that the side of the brain having the conversation wasn't communicating well with the other half of the brain.  But that's just a theory.

The other symptom you talked about - the odd pleasant butterflies in the stomach - also sounds familiar.

I started having weird buzzing sensations in my torso four years ago.  At first it was a buzzing sensation, but it also felt good.  (Embarrassingly so!)  Then I'd have these episodes where the buzzing would get worse and worse, and then my back would bend or arch - almost like a sneeze, except in the spine.  The buzzing would go away. After a while, it would build back up, and then wham - another spine sneeze.  These got worse and worse.  My neurologist explained that the lesions in my spine were sending out bad signals, which shot up and down the spine along ion channels.  Every time I had one of these episodes, it would reinforce the ion channel, and the episode would get worse.  She put me on Keppra, which is a mild anti-convulsant.  The drug helps the nerves calm down, and keeps them from sending bad signals up and down the ion channels.

Hope this helps!  This can all be very scary, but there's a neurological reason why this is happening.

zrde · Answer

This may be completely off-base, but these sensations and detachment from reality could be a type of simple partial seizure. Especially if it only lasts a few minutes at a time. You don't lose consciousness, just feel weird sensations that aren't there (including good sensations) and often feel like you're in a dream state. Just a possibility, anyway. They can be caused by lesions (as well as other things) in particular areas of the brain, so it's a possibility? 

I've been looking into it a fair bit lately since my new neuro seems to think I might have some sort of "abnormal seizure disease" (whatever that is?).

jonlovesbenz · Answer

I know exactly what you are saying! This past December I went into this for two there Weeks and my wife said I was just peaceful and said ok to everything. I could not motivate myself at all yet did not care. Glad to hear I am not alone!

jinkies5978 · Answer

I don't have a definitive MS diagnosis yet but I have experienced something similar.  I hace felt euphoric at times.  Just like I was given and injection of a narcotic when I haven't taken anything.  Like everything is right with the world and it couldn't get any better.  They have typically been fleeting moments...the longest may have lasted 10-15 minutes.  Noe if that is the type of MS symptoms I could have all the time, I'd take it! Ha!  But unfortunately, they are few and far between.  Good luck with your journey!  Just wanted to let you know you weren't alone.

jensequitur · Answer

What's the word on the MRI?  

Yeah, I was always healthy, up until age 35 - then everything started to go south!

SarahL2491 · Answer

keep us posted and we'll be here to support you.
you have been thru a ton of stuff, haven't you
hugs

Otteralum · Answer

Thank you both.  I should get the MRI results today and halfway hoping they show something so we can get on with some ideas.  Work and family life suffering demonstratively.  I'm 42 and always been a "healthy as a horse" example people hold up as being blessed with a healthy body -- oh well.

Lulu54 · Answer

Hi and welcome! I don't think we have met, yet.  Those are some interesting symptoms and I honestly don't think I have heard anyone around here describe them as anything so pleasant.

Now that you have this second episode, I hope this budges your neuro off the hold button and offers you treatment.  It sure sounds like you could qualify as clinically isolated syndrome.

welcome again and hope to see you around.
Lulu

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