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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Brainstem symptoms?
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Brainstem symptoms?
by theoldjack, Sep 06, 2004 12:00AM
I have recently been told by a neurosurgeon that my symptoms are not related to my syrinx at T8 and he thinks that they relate to the brainstem and I am going to see a neurologist. Recent flow studies showed I do not have chiari.My symptoms over the past 2 years have been prickling/twitching in left side of face and tongue and abnormal sensations in right side of body. I also had a heavy feeling in right leg. Over the last year I have had problems with all my mucous membranes, inflamed gums,sore throats which come and go,nasal dryness,gastritis and a hiatus hernia,(I am not overweight) dry mouth, vaginal dryness and a general feeling of being unwell.I had what I thought was a strange sensation in my right palm which has become more regular and I think it may be twitching in the muscles as I have seen twitching in the top of my hand and forearm.I have an intermittent throbbing pain under my right scapula which seems to make me a bit short of breath. Last night it was a sharp pain on breathing but now it has gone.My GP will not refer me for a scan.My family have noticed that my left eyelid sometimes looks bigger than the right.Blood tests are negative for connective tissue disease but a schirmer test was 8 & 10.Can the brainstem cause this and if so how is it put right. Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Sep 09, 2004 12:00AM
I would agree that you need to see a neurologist. You have mentioned a MRI of the brain and thoracic spine. I assume you also had a MRI of the cervical spine. With your face and body symptoms, I would assume there is a problem within the cervical cord or higher. The neurologist will need to review the films, and then proceed from there. Blood tests for inflammatory markers, vitamin B12, folate, and thyroid function may be checked. Depending on these results further tests may be needed. Good luck.
