Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Are these MS Symptoms

I am a 40 year old male living in the Midwest. 24 months ago I had the same symptoms I am going to describe. They lasted for 10 to 12 months then subsided. During that time I saw a local neurologist and two at the University of Chicago. Test
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
   The symptoms you describe are non-specific and can represent any number of potential diagnoses.  The fact that you had a decent workup in 2004 is encouraging.  However, certain tests are limited in their scope due to the time window (for example: EEG only detects seizures if you have one while connected to the EEG, or if you have inter-ictal(between seizure) spikes).  The symptoms of Right sode of the body paresthesias (weird feelings/often tingly) with a subjective feeling of weakness can be a sign of Left parietal dysfunction.  The feeling of random pains and headaches could be related to tension, migraine, tumor (although your previous negative MRI makes this less likely), or other stucutral abnormality.  Your symptoms could occur in MS, but are more likely due to something else.  A diagnosis of stress/anxiety is only given as a diagnosis of exclusion, after all possible tests are complete, but can be treated empirically with anti-depressants to monitor for improvement.  
  I would recommend that you get a lumbar puncture to assess for inflammation (tourtelotte panel/IgG index, oligoclonal bands) and evoked potentials (visual and somatosensory) to complete your MS workup.  I would also be in favor of repeating your MRI of the brain and c-spine with contrast. A repeat EEG may also be helpful, especially if you are having your symptoms while getting the EEG.  Starting a migraine prophylaxis medication such as Elavil, Topamax or Nadolol may also be helpful for your headaches and to evaluate if your right body symtoms are related to headaches (migraine equivalents).
I hope this has been helpful.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Well you sound very familar as I have had these symptoms now for two years.

I have had every test possible done for MS...including a lumbar puncture and nothing has ever showed.  From what I have learned i would agree with the last post in that you do not sound like MS.

I to used to exercise a lot but unlike you can no longer do so.  When i got sick i was trainning for a half marathon.

My story, long story short, is I have been given a clinical diagnosis of Lyme and have started treatment.  In my opinion you do sound like Lyme is a possibility.

If you want some information on it feel free to email me.  Lyme is very contraversial but worth looking into. Heres my email address.  ***@****

Good luck,

Lesley
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, have you had an MRI  or Ct of your cervical spine. I have the same symptomes except I also had severe headaches when you have numbness in your fingers especially in a dermatone pattern it could be cervical nerve irritation. Along with cervical nerve irritation I also have a lumbar nerve injury at the same time which causes me to have pain into my heel and numbness and pins and needles into the outside of my calf and foot and thigh.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm not a physician but what you're describing doesn't particularly sound like MS. The symptoms usually last 3-5 weeks and then resolve, not 10-12 months. Something on all of the tests that were run or the neurological exam should have shown up with all of the problems you're describing. Also, I don't understand how you can have weakness but still not have any problems with your activities. You should probably have your tests done again to be sure because sometimes (rarely) your tests can initially be negative but become positive ater.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. The weakness I feel is percieved (doctors feel it is anxiety). No clinical findings. The more I think about it the more it seems to be there.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Forum

Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease