A Question for Quix or anyone else

[concerned16920]

Hi,

I really value all of your input.   I've been lurking around on the forum for awhile and have learned a lot, but I want to be able to ask you a specific question.  

What I'm wondering is...is it possible to have tingling/burning on one side for months or even years before it really develops into MS.,,,and could it take awhile for more symptoms to appear?

I have had this going on since November and have had 2 MRI's and bloodwork, all of which have been normal.  No Lyme disease either.  

It used to be off and on but now I feel it all the time on my right side and a little on my left.  My vision is fine and I don't seem to be weak at all.  My last neurologist did say that I have jumpy reflexes but that that was probably attributed to being nervous or anxious.  

I am due for an appointment with another neurologist in two weeks for a second opinion.  I don't know if I should ask for an LP or not.  The tingling and burning is down my right arm, into my hand, down my leg and the bottom of both feet and is pretty much continuous all day and all night.  

I was told I have two bulging discs in my neck but that that was just due to wear and tear.  If I did have a pinched nerve or discs interfering with the spinal cord wouldn't I just feel it down my arm or just down my leg, but not both?

Thanks for your input.  I feel I have no one to ask until I see the doctor and I want to know something, anything?

Karen

[michelleric]

Hi there. I had 2 herniated discs in my neck which were compressing my spinal cord. I had lots of tingling and numbness in my arms and hands. Surprisingly, I didn't have too much pain in my neck, but they said the numbness was worse than pain. (due to the spinal cord compression). I had surgery in Jan to fix. My symptoms of my arms and hands are much better since the surgery. I have lots of other issues going on at the moment, but they said it is not related to the neck.
I wish you lots of luck,
Michelle

[jensequitur]

Hi, Karen!  There's no telling whether you have MS or not - it's a strange disease!  But I can say that it's possible for the bulging discs to cause the burning sensations.

[Lulu54]

Hi Karen and welcome to the MedHelp MS forum - there are lots of compassionate, knowledgeable people here as you well know if you have been lurking for a while. I hope you find the companionship pleasant and want to stick around while you work through the diagnosis.

You specifically asked "...is it possible to have tingling/burning on one side for months or even years before it really develops into MS.,,,and could it take awhile for more symptoms to appear?"

MS is a disease of 1,001 or more symptoms and I am  learning to say anything is possible. the tingling/burning could mean that MS is already in your body - the symptoms don't lead to the development of the disease.    But those same symptoms could also point to a number of other mimics.  

Your disease could remain stable or continue to progress and perhaps take a while for the symptoms to appear.  Lesions (damage to the myelin) can be occuring in your system without visible symptoms appearing.  I have multiple lesions and blackholes but very few symptoms because my lesions have yet to hit crucial areas in my central nervous system.  I hope this is making sense.

Again, welcome to the forum.  We hope you will settle in and make yourself comfortable.

Lulu