Can normal results change?

[edison]

Thank you for providing this forum:

Current Stats: MWM 40, 3 children, 5’9”, 200 lbs

Symptoms:  Bilateral pain in lower legs (similar to shin splint pain).  Numbness in middle of back, along spine.  Stiffness in left side of face.  Occasional tingling in both hands and feet.  Chronic fatigue.  Gait disturbance (especially on uneven surfaces).

History:  January 1995, I woke up on a work day unable to rise out of bed, due to overwhelming fatigue.  After 6 weeks my blood was tested and was told I had mononucleosis (MONO spot test).  The bilateral leg pain developed shortly after the diagnosis and I was instructed to see a rheumatologist for what was believed to be “reactionary arthritis.”  Another blood test was taken to look specifically for the EBV and the results were that I had the virus, but it was dormant.  I was given prednisone for 4 weeks, with no relief of symptoms.  I was released back to my doctor’s care.
July 1997, after experiencing no decrease in the above symptoms, I was referred to a neurologist and had two MRIs and one nerve conduction test performed; all results were normal.
Today, my fatigue has worsened, my facial symptoms are such that if I don’t speak for a while, I almost sound drunk for the first few sentences.  Leg pain is more severe and I have difficulty performing routine tasks due to extreme fatigue and lack of dexterity.  My diagnosis today is chronic fatigue.

Questions:  Can any of the neurological tests, that were normal in the past,  have different results today?  Even though I have been told, that my condition is not neurological, why have my symptoms remained and in most cases gotten worse?  Can you suggest another clinic to be evaluated?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD]

Dear CB:

It is difficult to tell you for certain.  I would say that since the exact same symptoms are occurring, that most likely the tests would all be the same.  However, that should be taken with a grain of salt.  As symptoms persist and worsen, there are times that a minimally detectable abnormality will become manifest and therefore be diagnostic.  There may be a point in getting a second opinion concerning you symptoms and see what a new pair of eyes looking at the data, and another exam might come up with.  I would recommend taking a second look.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I had mono when I was 14 years old and never was the same again. That's what triggered the onset of all my symptoms of pain and palpitations from mitral valve prolapse, fatigue, sensitivity to cold weather. I have to live in the deep tropics. That's why I moved to Guam almost 18 years ago. I have most of the symptoms of Lupus now including temporal lobe seizures. I am getting an echocardiogram today, the second one in 16 years and also had the blood tests taken for Lupus or arthitis type diseases last week. That info should be here in about two weeks.

I was previously self medicating with alcohol to relieve the symptoms because back then I could not get satifactory medical care. I have since finally quit drinking but take medications for anxiety, pain and anti-convulsants. The pain reliever is non-narcotic, called Ultram and it is very effective for pain relief and mood elevation as well.

The meds make me very sleepy now but I eould rather be sleepy than always in pain and stressed to the max. I still function at my job although it takes alot more concentration. I'll just have to get used to it.

I don't no if any of this is helpful info in your case but the mono EB virus does stay with you. I still have the antigens for it, indicating active disease although chronic and not acute.

[edison]

Thanks Barbara.  I too have resided myself to my new way of li living.  I am still working, but find it increasingly difficult to function both mentally and physically.  I do live in a cold weather climate, but prefer it to the warm weather, which makes me even more lethargic.

I do not take any prescribed pain medicine and although alcohol sometimes gives me temporary relief, I am only an occasional drinker at best and to date have not relied upon it.

Please keep me informed as to your recent test results.  Thanks again.