6 years and no diagnosis

[Kylioke]

6 years ago I had a traumatic year. After having a baby and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 3 months of one another, I began to feel very ill. It began with dizziness and numbness in my left arm travelling down to my left leg.It soon progressed to numbness and weakness on the left side of my face. On every visit to my local G.P., nothing was found to be wrong. These symptoms lasted for 5 months and became progressively worse. I began experiencing palpatations and a feeling of shaking inside all over my body. I started blacking out and was referred to a neurologist who was baffled. Every test I can think of was carried out, but no results found. After 5 months I experienced a very sharp pain around my left ear one evening and the next day my face was completely numb. Over a few hours the left side of my face became completely paralysed and I was admitted to hospital. I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy but doctors could not explain the weakness in my arms and legs. I was phsically weak on the entire left side except my face which was completely paralysed. The paralysis cleared up after a month although I've lived with the symptoms for 6 years.
3 weeks ago I had a bad episode of weakness numbness and dizziness and had to go to hospital.I also had a bad headache which I've been getting a lot lately and I thought was maybe a migraine. After baffling the doctor he told me Bell's Palsy was caused by a virus but couldn't explain much else. Funnily enough he said I had a high temperature and tonsilitis and prescribed antibiotics. I'm now getting the symptoms again.
Any ideas?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

The symptoms you describe are not specific for a particular condition. I would need to review your history and examination to better define the possible causes. However, given the information you have presented, inflammatory conditions, connective tissue disorders, migraine variant, and vitamin B12 deficiency should be evaluated. This can be done with blood test and a MRI of the brain and cervical spine (with contrast). If this is negative then further testing may be appropriate depending on the examination and history. It may be reasonable to obtain a second opinion at an academic medical center. Good luck.

[chris7777]

you live in the northeast or been bitten by a tick before symptoms started?

[Kylioke]

I live in Scotland Chris, but no I've not been bitten.I had an MRI and a CAT scan carried out 6 years ago, but they showed nothing. The only thing that has been mentioned is a possible virus, but that's as far as we've got. Every medical professional I've ever seen has been baffled by my symptoms. I've also been tested for diabetes,thyroid function tests and MS was ruled out too.

[Spring-02]

Your illness and symptoms sound very familiar to what I have been experiencing since the summer of 2001.  I also don't have a diagnosis and have seen three neuros, had three MRI's, three EMG's and an EEG, all of which were normal.  I also suspect I may have had a virus, which preceded my symptoms and caused foot drop.  I am left with residual weakness predominately on the left side, pain and burning in my extremites and problems with my speech, either stuttering or can't get the words out.  Nights are the worse as I just can't get to sleep with the tightness and pain. My balance and coordination have not improved, even after many bouts with phsyio, acquatic excercises etc.  I can golf but must use a cart and I lose my balance when I swing, but I am still physically strong.  I don't have any other organic diseases to explain these symptoms but do have a history of allergies, Bell's Palsy, Chicken Pox, Neuralgia like pain, Pitrysis Rosea, etc, all of which are Herpes like viruses.  I take B12 monthly injections and extra supplements orally, although they tell me my B12 is normal, even though my grandfather and two aunts all had Pernicious Anemia.  MS also runs in my mother's side of the family as well as brain tumours and aneurysms.  She died of a brain hemmorhage at age 48.  My blood pressure is fine and I don't have any brain disorders, at least any that show up.

It would be very interesting to correspond with you personally.  You may contact me on line at ***@****  I am a 57 female, who lives in Canada.

Take care,
The Canadian

[090308health]

Hi, your symptoms sound a lot like mine too. After having my baby 2 yrs. ago, I started having neurological problems. I had her vaginally w/ an epidural and pushed 2 1/2 hrs. I also lost a lot of blood after the birth. I`m RH negative as well. I had tingling, numbness, twitching, cramping, and other odd sensations in the extrmities. I have sharp stabbing pains that come and go, and a cold-tingly feeling in my left shoulder blade while bending over. I have seen several neurologists, had many tests, and have no diagnosis. They did however find a cavernous and venous angioma in the left frontal lobe (abnormal cluster of blood vessels that can bleed in the brain. 1 in 100-200 people have one) but the doctors don`t think the angiomas are causing the symptoms. The symptoms have gotten better w/ time, but still come & go. I have been very frustrated w/ all of this and wish it would leave for good. ***@****

[Craig]

Somebody get this snake-oil salesman off the site, please, before he does some real damage........

[Inupiaq]

My 16 yr old has had headaches for 4 months as well as swollen tonsils with negative strep tests.  I am posting this because I read that someone else had the same symtoms, headaches, dizziness, numbness, swollen tonsils.  Could the problem be related? My daughter has yet to be seen by a Neurologist.