Burning/MS

[DENISE]

Dear Doctor:
I was dx'd with MS 4 years ago.  For two years I have had burning sensation from neck to toes.  I have tried numerous drugs, Tegretol, Nerotonin, and 3 sets of steriods.  Nothing will phase it.  It seems to start in the gut.  I can't eat alot of foods, take vitamins, or certain meds., the burning will flare up.  My question is this:  Have you seen where smoking cigs. overloads the system with toxins (in the gut) and can cause this to happen? Or perhaps a bacteria or yeast?  I have been to an Allergists, tests are normal.  I know when I eat certain things what will happen (burning).  I have been to a Enviromental Doctor, vitamins make me burn also. I was wondering if cig. smoking could be interacting with the neuro-transmitters in the gut, signaling the burning sensation from the brain?  So when I eat certain foods or take vitamins or meds. my system is overloaded with toxins (from cigs) and it goes nuts causing burning.  Is this possible?  Thanks so much! :)

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Denise:

Sorry to hear about your MS.  MS is a central disorder and while smoking can accelerate the MS process, it usually will not effect a particular part of the body such as the stomach.  The symptoms of MS are episodic and if your gut pain is continual, then I would first look for other etiologies of your gut pain.  Generalized parasthesias that you report can be from MS, especially if the demyelination in the brain is in the sensory area.  We have many patients with parasthesias and MS.  However, isolated stomach pain is rare.  I would look for more common etiologies such as ulcer, etc.

I would recommend that you stop smoking.

CCF Neuro MD

[DENISE]

Dear Doctor,

Thanks so much for your quick reply.  It seems like whenever I eat, take vitamins, meds. about 1 1/2 to 2 hours later I am burning from my neck to my toes, which is a MS symptom.  So an ulcer cause this type of pain?

[Paul]

I am wondering about parasthesias-is this simply an abnormal sensation or is it actual pins and needles-like when you feet fall asleep?  

[aaron]

Like Paul above, I am wondering the same, and also like Denise mentioned about hot sensation, is MS ever associated with a cOLD feeling?  I've read alot about sharp pains and heat, but not much about a general cold feeling.  I'll get a feeling on parts of my body like someone set an  ice cube, then within a few seconds it vanishes.  Sometimes an entire body "chill"  What I would give now to have spent 10+ years being an MD!

[DENISE]

Dear Aaron:
I am currently having a MS attack.  My right leg felt cold deep down inside, like you stuck it in a bucket of ice cubes.  But to feel it, it wasn't cold.  I'd never experienced anything like that before.  I also have hot spots that burns, comes and goes.  This other burning from the neck to toes has me and my doctors puzzled.  Hope you feel better Aaron.

[aaron]

Hi Denise,

Thank you for your input, although now im more worried then ever.  How were you DX'd with MS? MRI?  Also when it began, what were your symptoms to lead you to a Doctor?  Thanks so much!

[DENISE]

Dear Aaron:

I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.  MS is a wierd disease, effects everyone differenly.   When I was dx'd I was having vision problems, could hardly see, right arm was numb from shoulder to hand on top, underneath it burned really bad, left side of face was numb to middle of the back of my skull, very very fatigued, and electrical shocks.  Thought I had pinched a nerve in my shoulder/neck from my Nordic Track, it was in the middle of Tax Season, I was stressed to the max.  Found a family doctor, he sent me for an MRI, then to Neurogolists, MRI showed lesions on the brain and spinal cord.  I've never had a spinal tap.  I am so sorry Aaron, are you having problems?  Are you dx'd with MS?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for the comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[aaron]

Denise,

Hi, im sorry your having troubles.  I have not yet had a diagnosis, but thus far my brain scan was ok, from what I hear, that means nothing! I dont know why they even perform them by what i've heard.  Anyhow I get odd sensations, muscle contractures in my calfs, tingle and numbness in parts of my body, no real pain or anything but its worrisome!  Where in your spine were the lessions?  Thanks Denise.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for the comments to one another.

CCF Neuro MD

[DENISE]

Aaron:

My lesions are on the brain and spinal cord.  Where the spinal cord connects to the brain.  At the neck.  I forget all the medical terminalogy.  I had 2 MRI's done, first one didn't go down far enough, was just of the brain, 2nd one went down farther on the neck, that's when they all showed up. I'm sure it is worrisome.  Is your doc in the process of ruling out other things?  Hang in there Aaron, it will get better. God will make a way, he always does.

[aaron]

Hi Denise,

Thanks so much for all your responses.  You have a great outlook!  I dont exactly know how much of my brain or neck they looked at.  I have the set of mri films, I can see my entire head and part of the neck vertabrae, but nto much of it.  Anyhow I hear it can settle in the lower back to, I have low back pain and just a strange skin sensation on the thigh and back of calf.  See a Neuro here soon, get his opinion on things.  How are you managing?  Besides your post on the burning etc, are you doing ok?  I hope your feeling well and i'd be interested in understanding more about this disease.  Do both sides of your body experience tingle or nubmness?  Thank you and hang in there!

[DENISE]

Aaron:

If you would like to email me my addy is ***@****. you are more than welcome.  I know when I was having symptoms, and didn't know what was wrong, I was so scared, so if you would like to chat feel free ok.

[Mary Simpson]

WONDERING  IF THE MS BURNING PAIN IS THE SAME TYPE OF THING WE IN THE CENTRAL PAIN GROUP EXPERIENCE?  I UNDERSTAND ITS ALL CENRAL PAIN  BUT NOT SURE.  WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND THAT HELPS RELIEVE IT?  FEEL FREE TO JOIN US ......  WE ARE TRYNG TO GATHER TOGETHER CENTRAL PAIN SUFFERERS FROM EVERYWHERE SO WE CAN STAND TOGETHER TO GET THE HELP WE NEED!!  

DESCRIPTION:

Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage
specifically to the central nervous system (CNS)‹brain, brainstem, or
spinal cord. The pain is steady and is usually described as a burning,
aching, or cutting sensation. Occasionally there may be brief,
intolerable bursts of sharp pain. Central pain is characterized by a
mixture of pain sensations, the most prominent being constant burning.
Mingled with the burning are sensations of cold, "pins and needles"
tingling, and nerve proximity (like that of a dental probe on an exposed
nerve). The steady burning sensation is increased significantly by any
light touch. Patients are somewhat numb in the areas affected by this
burning pain. The burning and loss of touch appreciation are usually
most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands.
Pain may be moderate to severe in intensity and is often exacerbated by
movement and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures. Central
pain syndrome may develop months or even years after injury or damage to
the CNS. The disorder occurs in patients who have, or have had, strokes,
multiple sclerosis, limb amputations, or brain or spinal cord injuries.

AND OUR WEB SITE IS........http://www.strokenetwork.org/centralpain/
Mary Simpson
Executive Director,  S.A.F.E.
Stroke Awareness For Everyone
http://www.strokenetwork.org/
http://www.strokenetwork.org/centralpain/  [MODERATOR]

***@****
Cyberspace Stroke Support Group.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for the information.

CCF Neuro MD

[marge Brichler]

Wow.  Im a dinasaur to computers, but am mind boggled at what I found here.

I was cutting, and filing out a fungus in one of my small toes, and realized I had filed right down to the skin.  The nail was gone. I felt nothing.  Only recently have wondered about the tingling in my toes, and the balls of my feet.  Regular message and pedicures dont help, infact, the feeling is quite sensative... Cant stand it. I fear they are going numb.  This tingling  has been going on for some time.. (year or more)  

Hmm. Back to the Doctor, but which one. Im on Celebrix, coumadin,
Phosophex, and a ton of other stuff.  I am an active 64 year old, and paint and have exhibits.  I live with (A fib)
every day
4 Cardioversions did not work.  But  live a fun life anyway.

in fact  www.artbymarge.com   is my website, and am excited about this new world I have discovered.  I do know that sitting too long causes my feet to swell up and look like two inflated footballs, with funny toes.  I must time my computer hours.

Im off to see my family doctor... will let you know the results.
I was just amazed at so many others having the same symptons.
Thanks to all who share.
I wish this had a spell check.

marge brichler, marge.***@****