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Arm and Leg Weakness MS like symptoms - Advice Appreciated
by cmspgran, Aug 17, 2009 10:57AM
Started experiencing symptoms 2 years ago (September 2007) can almost remember to the day. My first symptom was a feeling of weakness running from the right kneecap through the calf and into the foot (basically the leg from the knee downward). It feels as if my leg no longer wants to support my weight properly and I have lost balance on it, some days are worse than others but it is always there and is a very uncomfortable problem and one which cannot be forgotten about. Walking is uncomfortable now because of it and sport even worse. I also expereince parathesia at times in the leg mainly in the foot with feelings of tingling under the skin.
In February of ths year I began experiencing a feeling of weakness in the right arm from the elbow down mainly eminating in the wrist and hand. Again very uncomfortable and constantly there since emerging it feels as though I have to try twice as hard to do everything now with the right hand (which is my dominant hand). I also feel shaky at times almost like a tremor from the inside and the right hand tremors at certain postural positions such as when my wrist is raised up for using a computer mouse.
I went to my GP and he referred me to a Rheumatologist.
In May I was referred to a Rheumatologist I explained my symptoms and fears of possible MS he undertook a detailed neurological exam which was normal apart from minor reduced right knee jerk and inverted supinators of the hands he then ordered further testing including:
Nerve Conduction Tests - Reported as Normal
EMG - Reported as Normal
MRI of the spine - Normal other than "L5/S1 intervertebral disc is degenerate showing loss of hydration, there is also a posteocentral annular bulge here with a tiny posterocentral annular tear. This causes very minor narrowing of the AP diameter of the spinal canal but is not felt to be significant and none of the transiting nerver roots are compressed.
The rheumatologsit concluded nothing was wrong and sent me away. Unhappy I returned to my GP and was sent for an MRI of the brain and full blood work.
Blood work was normal other than slightly raised liver values.
MRI of Brain - Normal other than craniosynotosis of the skull with asymmetry of the left and right skull vault otherwise normal no evidence of mass lesion or demyelination, normal craniocervical junction.
Undeterred I pushed for a referral to a neurologist and went privately, upon examination and reading throguh my results the neurologist concluded nothing was wrong after completing his own neurological examination. He ordered more bloodtests including full blood count, sedimentation rate, vitamin b12, copper, ceruoplasmin and thyroid all came back normal.
He also took a look at the MRI of the brain himself and could see no abnormalities.
Still not happy I went for a second opinion to another neurologist, all this brought was that the first neurologist I saw was a "class neurologist" and I have had all the necessary tests. he did state I may have had an initial MS attack too small to detect through tests and would have to see what happens and that was no point in worrying - which I found very disappointing. He did his own brief neurological exam and concluded nothing was abnormal.
The symptoms are not going away and are there everyday and are affecting quality of life quite badly especially being an active person. I have spent countless hours researching on the internet I don't know whether to consider Multiple Sclerosis, Lyme Disease, Parkinsons Disease or something else.
Being in the UK Lyme disease is not well followed or recognised and there isn't anywhere to specifically go to have this looked at.
If anyone has any opinions or suggestions as to what they would do next or any ideas of what could be causing this I would be exteremely grateful for any input.
Many thanks.
In February of ths year I began experiencing a feeling of weakness in the right arm from the elbow down mainly eminating in the wrist and hand. Again very uncomfortable and constantly there since emerging it feels as though I have to try twice as hard to do everything now with the right hand (which is my dominant hand). I also feel shaky at times almost like a tremor from the inside and the right hand tremors at certain postural positions such as when my wrist is raised up for using a computer mouse.
I went to my GP and he referred me to a Rheumatologist.
In May I was referred to a Rheumatologist I explained my symptoms and fears of possible MS he undertook a detailed neurological exam which was normal apart from minor reduced right knee jerk and inverted supinators of the hands he then ordered further testing including:
Nerve Conduction Tests - Reported as Normal
EMG - Reported as Normal
MRI of the spine - Normal other than "L5/S1 intervertebral disc is degenerate showing loss of hydration, there is also a posteocentral annular bulge here with a tiny posterocentral annular tear. This causes very minor narrowing of the AP diameter of the spinal canal but is not felt to be significant and none of the transiting nerver roots are compressed.
The rheumatologsit concluded nothing was wrong and sent me away. Unhappy I returned to my GP and was sent for an MRI of the brain and full blood work.
Blood work was normal other than slightly raised liver values.
MRI of Brain - Normal other than craniosynotosis of the skull with asymmetry of the left and right skull vault otherwise normal no evidence of mass lesion or demyelination, normal craniocervical junction.
Undeterred I pushed for a referral to a neurologist and went privately, upon examination and reading throguh my results the neurologist concluded nothing was wrong after completing his own neurological examination. He ordered more bloodtests including full blood count, sedimentation rate, vitamin b12, copper, ceruoplasmin and thyroid all came back normal.
He also took a look at the MRI of the brain himself and could see no abnormalities.
Still not happy I went for a second opinion to another neurologist, all this brought was that the first neurologist I saw was a "class neurologist" and I have had all the necessary tests. he did state I may have had an initial MS attack too small to detect through tests and would have to see what happens and that was no point in worrying - which I found very disappointing. He did his own brief neurological exam and concluded nothing was abnormal.
The symptoms are not going away and are there everyday and are affecting quality of life quite badly especially being an active person. I have spent countless hours researching on the internet I don't know whether to consider Multiple Sclerosis, Lyme Disease, Parkinsons Disease or something else.
Being in the UK Lyme disease is not well followed or recognised and there isn't anywhere to specifically go to have this looked at.
If anyone has any opinions or suggestions as to what they would do next or any ideas of what could be causing this I would be exteremely grateful for any input.
Many thanks.
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In the morning I just feel like ****. I'm twitchy, weak all over, have minor headaches that migrate. I just dont know whats going on, and like you im in the uk and at the end of my tether.