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uthoff phenomenon

I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with MS. I have been very fortunate that my symptoms have been very minimum. Mostly fatigue and a little dragging of the left leg. Last week I woke up and 2 of my fingers on my left hand were hurting and I could not make a fist. It has happened every morning since. After about 30-45 min. I can make a fist but all through the day I still feel real tender around those 2 fingers, (ring finger and middle finger). I went to the Dr. yesterday and after a series of test he couldn't find anything wrong with my hand such as carpal tunnel or a pinched nerve so he said it was probably Uthoff Phenomenon. I would think that if it was UP then I would have it for good or not just in the mornings. Any input would be greatly appreciated. The Dr. gave me steroids but I don't want to take them due to the side effects.
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198419 tn?1360242356
Hi Shadow,

I have varying symptoms, but nothing like the 1st attack, which lasted a little over 3 months.  It was primarily neurological, I couldn't get my body to react properly, slurred speech, had to keep correcting my thoughts.  The short of it is, I had stroke like symptoms, couldn't write, etc.

I don't have that anymore, but have variations of it with different intensities, and also I have some things that are brand new, that just started the past 4 months.  I won't bore you with all that now and just get to your question.

I was on Rebif for about 5 months.  I developed an allergic reaction to one of my meds (I was on a few).  The allergist believes it was the Rebif.  But, since my choices will be limited if I throw in the towel on the interferons, I've decided that I am going to challenge it real soon.  I actually have the company calling me and leaving me messages for delivery, and I've not called them back.  

Part of me is really afraid of the reaction because it was not instant (1st injection).  It took those 5 months, and when it did come, I suffered terribly.  My docs were saying it was not the meds, so I kept taking them throughout until I stopped on my own because I absolutely knew I had too.  Crazy huh? I have a good doc, just think he made a big mistake by not pulling me off of them early enough and it was a snowball effect for a couple months.  

I've been lucky and found this forum family early on when I was looking for answers.  MS is unreal in how it varies so much from person to person.  

I'm so glad to have you here w/us.  Where are your lesions? Spine? Brain and spine?

You must have a good doc, helping you with where your problems are coming from.  Seems a lot of us are guessing as to what is MS, and what is structural, ect.

ttys,
SL
Helpful - 0
338416 tn?1420045702
My right leg doesn't work right, and it's definitely because of the lesion in my right cerebellum, not because of any problem with my neck...  So it's worth following up on.

Hmm... What symptoms?  At the moment, my right leg is a bit atrophied, and my right arm is weaker than my left.  I have a constant sore muscle in my right arm, and my last two fingers are a little weird-feeling.  Head tremor, slight but noticeable.  Numbness and tingling on a daily basis, as well as loss of sensitivity in my right foot and both hands.  Double vision in my right eye, but the colors are back - yay!  And some annoying/painful cramps in certain areas which I shall not mention.  I'm in remission (I think) so aside from the heat and fatigue, I'm doing all right.

It has been EXTREMELY hot here in Texas, and I don't know how much more I can take.  I don't do well if it's up above 85°, and it's been around 95° on average for a month.  Finally got a break last night with this huge rainstorm, which brought the temp back down to 85°.  After the sauna last week, it's a relief!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks to everyone for responding and thanks for the warm welcome. I wished I had known about this 5 years when I was diagnosed. I am not sure if the Copaxone is helping or if I just have the few lesions on the brain and then that's it or what. My Dr. says it is hard to tell. I had neck surgery a few years back and he seems to think some of the problems with my left leg are contributed to my neck and not my MS. As I said early on, I feel very fortunate because my symptoms for MS do not appear to be nearly as bad as some of the ones I see here in the forum. My biggest thing is sensativity to heat. I kind of shut down when it gets too hot and being that it has been in the upper 90's into the 100's here in San Antonio I definately feel it.
What symptoms do you have and what med do you take?
Helpful - 0
198419 tn?1360242356
I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to welcome you yet.  Thank you for joining us.

I'm SL and was diagnosed with MS last year.  I've learned a lot this year, and am so grateful for this forum.

How are you doing on the copaxone?  How did you come about your MS diagnosis? Your symptoms, etc.

I hope you are feeling better soon.  I don't blame you for not wanting to take the steroids for this, but I do hope it passes, or you find out what it is.

Hope you stick around, and if you feel comfortable sharing, please do.  If not, hope you'll join in when and where you can and lend some of your advice as to how you cope w/your MS symptoms, etc.

Welcome!
-SL
Helpful - 0
338416 tn?1420045702
Hey, you ride your bike every day?  Do you use those fingers when you grab the handlebars?  I get a lot more sore from activity than I used to - mowing the lawn will leave my arms sore for days.  I've also had problems with my hands being chronically sore...

Definitely get an x-ray to eliminate the possibility of arthritis - people with MS aren't immune to other problems, unfortunatley.
Helpful - 0
147426 tn?1317265632
Well, my first thought is osteoarthritis.  If the fingers are sore at the last and next to last joints when you squeeze the joints hard with your thumb and index finger of the other hand, then that is the most likely diagnosis.  OA is always stiffest in the morning and get sore with use.

It is definitely not Uhthoff's Syndrome.  Technically, Uthoff's is the reproduction of visual symptoms in a person with Optic Neuritis from demyelination.  But, modern day MS discussions use the term for any symptom reproduced by overheating, whether from a bath or shower, fever, high room temp, or exercise.  And it is an immediate reaction, not a delayed one.

If it continues you might request an xray to see if there is joint narrowing or spurs at the joints.

Quix
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the prompt reply. I am not sure what DMD is but I do take a copaxone injection daily. I sleep with the AC on under a ceiling fan which is nothing new so the idea of my body tempature rising does not make sense unless it is a delayed reaction from the day before. I have been riding my motorcycle to work and it is very hot here in Houston so my body tempature does rise during the day. I mentioned the motorcycle riding to my Dr. and told him there is minimal vibration and he didn't think it had anything to do with it. As always, MS is a very puzzeling illness and they are quick to blame everything on MS.
Helpful - 0
338416 tn?1420045702
Urthoff's is a worsening of the symptoms because of heat.  If you're getting overheated at night, it might cause that.  

My personal theory is that it's spasticity.  My soreness and stiffness are bad in the mornings, but as I move around, it gets a little better.  If I don't move for a few hours, it comes back.

Oral steroids will help a little with some symptoms, but not with others.  If you're still able to function, I'd stay away from them.  
Helpful - 0
230625 tn?1216761064
Welcome to the forum!  

I am happy that your symptoms have been minimal thus far.  Are you on any DMD's?

My understanding is that Uthoff Phenomenon is a temporary worsening of symptoms due to the increase of body temperature, like when it's hot or in a hot shower.  

I'm probably missing something, but I'm not sure how your doc is equating the new symptoms in your hand to an increase in body temperature.

I'm sure others with much more experience and advice will be along shortly.

Please make yourself at home and we look forward to hearing more from you!!

Welcome again and take care, Pat :)
Helpful - 0
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