seizures and MS

[agimpee1]

A question I have for you is that about 5 months ago the right side of my body went completely numb like someone injected a huge amount of novacane into my system but only on that side.  I originally was and am being looked at for possibly having MS and I have many of the symptoms - except a completely normal MRI.  Now I am being tested for also a possible seizure disorder and having an EEG done.  My question is, the numbness has never gone away, it gets worse at times and now seem to be and have been tested for loosing strength in the right side of my body.  Does the numbness ever go away?  I now feel like i am losing the ability of a few of my fingers to function normally.  I am so scared, confused, being accused of faking, and the bouts of depression that hit overwhelm me.  I am trying to stay focused at work but being accused there of faking and ridiculed, you get this overwhelming feeling that you are battling alone.  I am confused, I never recall having any type of seizure before - and now faced with that too.   Both parents have the two main types of arthritis - mom has Osteo, dad had (he passed 11 years ago) Rhumetoid.  (Sorry - spelling is terrible this morning.)  Please help or do you have any advice to help me cope with all of this?  Thank you for listening

[tory2457]

If they can't "find" why you had a seizure; and lots of times they can't....look at Lyme Disease. Seizures are part of Lyme. So is the numbness you are experiencing, and the depression! OCD, another symptom of Lyme.

Please become your own advocate, don't let anyone family, friends, doctors tell you what you are experiencing is in your head! This is your body, and you have the right to become well! There are doctors who will listen and are familiar with what is going on with you...they are called Lyme Literate Doctors. LLMD's.

lymenet.org
ilads.org are 2 very good places to start

the best to you, read all you can and you will find someone to help you get well!
tory

[JonM]

With a clean MRI you will not likely get a DX of MS.  Ask for some of the other MS tests such as an Evoked Visual Potential (EVP) and Lumbar Puncture. I have MS and for me I had classic symtoms presented in the MS way which is over time in different places.  Thats why it is MULTIPLE sclerosis not single sclerosis.

Its a shame you're being accused of faking.  Where in the hell do you work, thats just not right.

You didn't say if your seeing a neurologist, if not get referred to one, preferrably someone with a large practice of MS patients.

Good Luck
Jon  

[karzme]

I know what you are talking about numbness on one side. I had REALLY bad symptoms on May 6th (or so). I took a shower about midnight. Was to warm. My left side was already numb some, but the shower made it worse. Whole left side from face to toes was tingling and numb. Hasn't gotten any better. Two weeks to that day, my right side started going numb. Oh what joy huh. Now I am pretty much numb from the waist down, for about 3 weeks now. Can't even feel my feet when I walk. Is irritating, but what can we do?

Arthritis? It doesn't sound like it to me. It sounds like MS. I have some arthritis in my back. That might explain the pains shooting up and down it. But my neuro also says that I have alot of lesions on my spine. I was diagnosed with Ms, with just a brain MRI. Found out with second one, about lesion on my spine. Good luck and welcome to the forum!!     Karina

[Momzilla]

Hello! Welcome!

Is this your first foray in the forum?  I don't recognize your name, but if it's not, don't be alarmed, I have a tendency to call my children by the wrong names, even!  

I just may be a resident expert in both seizures and faking symptoms, so you've come to the right girl!  I'm kidding of course about the faking, and I know YOU'RE not faking, either.  I know how frustrating and humiliating it is to be accused.  So many of us on this forum (as you'll soon hear, no doubt) have been accused by our own PHYSICIANS of faking our symptoms.  I am one of those lucky gals.  We even made up a sorority house for those of us who have been called crazy by our doctors.  

I have since been validated by both a psychiatrist and another great neurologist, but I am SO sorry it is happening to you by your co-workers.  That's cruel and insensitive.  Sometimes people just don't know HOW to react.

Honestly, I have been on Topamax, an anti seizure medication for over 2 years now, because I have had migraine disease for that long with many 'seizure-like episodes.'  I know that I have had a few lightening-like jolts go through my head that wiped me out for hours afterward.  The neurologist I just saw says they were probably seizures.  He has no idea why the heck I have them.  Have you ever had those?  Anything different than that that you think are maybe seizures? Any odd behavior or staring?Or does the doc think this numbness is related to seizures and you think it's MS?  Does he/she think the numbness is MS?

I have not been diagnosed with MS.  I do have Babinski's reflex in both feet.  I have hyper reflexes.  I have increased muscle tone in all four extremities.  But, and this is the all-important but--I have no visible lesions in the MRI which was taken of my brain.  No one has yet diagnosed me with MS.  Do I have it?  I must. Or I have something really really close to it.  Some kind of Upper Motor Neuron damage/tumor/disease.  There, I said it, girls/guys.  I said it!  Dagnabbit!

I have numbness and extreme weakness in my extremities that lingers.  Numbness and weakness can also be caused from arthritis.  What kind of testing are you having done?  Did your MRI include the spine?

I know it can be lonely fighting alone.  My work situation is not the best, either.  My husband keeps telling me to just go, remember to get me paycheck each week and come home to him.  I stick my tongue out at him.  He lets me!  We're so fun!

Let us know what kind  of testing your doc has planned or has done.  Keep us up to date on what goes on.  I hope you feel better, and that your work situation gets better.  Really, don't let other people bother you.  Try to put a smile on, and let the chips fall.  Take care of yourself and keep us posted!

Chris*