Could this be MS or ???

[159357]

Hello,
I am a 29yo Male, 6'1", 235lbs, large-ish frame (overweight but not obese).

Two months ago, I felt like I was coming down with a cold or flu or something--very tired, fatigued, weak. No fever or sore throat. Then, I began to feel dizzy (light headedness, disequilibrium with some minor vertigo--like the floor was moving but mostly dizziness/light headed/leaning to the left) followed by needles and pins in my hands and feet (come and go) and for a few days a "sunburn" sensation behind my left knee (gone now). I also had a feeling like someone had kicked me in the left ankle or I had sprained it (but I haven't) and I couldn't lift my left foot (foot drop?)--this went away after a couple of weeks. I felt very fatigued and weak muscles, worse after exhertion or heat. My hands couldn't grasp anything for about a week (this has since resolved). I also have little spasms or twitches in my muscles all over.

I was also having some scary episodes where I felt "drunk" (I don't do drugs and rarely drink, maybe avg. 1-2 glasses of wine per MONTH) and I had difficulties remembering words, slurred speech, felt like I was high or drunk (light headed) and was euphoric/giddy (laughing a lot), and felt spaced out. These episodes came and went. They don't happen as often or as badly but they still happen. I eventually went to the hospital but was sent home after a clear EKG (never seen by a dr.). The nurse said I would be waiting 8 hours before I could see a dr. and should just go visit my GP the next day since I wasn't in imminent danger of death or anything and it didn't appear to be a stroke.

Originally, I thought it might have been an ear infection (I get them fairly frequently) but this was before the paresthesias and "drunk" feeling episodes. I have had numerous blood tests including CRP, BUN, all electrolytes, thyroid, fasting glucose (twice), etc. and everything is negative. B12 level is good too. I finally had a private MRI done but just found out yesterday that there were no lesions, tumours, or abnormalities (1.5 Tesla, without contrast). I have had these same symptoms about a year and a half ago; at that time, I thought it was stress-related and was treated by a naturopath (acupuncture mostly) and it resolved itself after several months. This time, I am not under any stress at all really. At the time, I had noticeable "benign" fasciculations in my hands and feet and sudden bad cramps on my arches--this time 'round, I just feel little twitches but they aren't really noticeable to the eye.

As of today, my main complaint is dizziness/light-headedness with occasional pins and needles feeling in the hands and feet and occasional leg twitches and these episodes of feeling like I'm drunk or high (but much less than before). I have had these symptoms since early March--some are on and off, but the dizziness/light-headedness and fatigue is pretty much all the time (though dizziness is better when lying down).

Is it possible that this could still be MS without any noticeable lesions? (Maybe it's too early to see lesions without contrast?). Or is there something else that this could be? I'm not a hypochondriac as I don't like visiting doctors/hospitals (haven't seen my GP in 2 years before this incident) and I don't like to take prescriptions if I don't have to (prefer the natural route whenever possible).

Thank you in advance for your response!

[159357]

anybody?

[159357]

My feet are driving me nuts today, it's almost like they are vibrating or "shivering" internally although it's not fasciculations (at least not visible to the eye). Is this some kind of peripheral neuropathy? It used to come and go and be worse at night but now I notice it whenever I'm off my feet and it's starting to get to the point that it's really bothering me (not painful but it seems to be getting worse and it's a really annoying feeling).

[159357]

bump

[159357]

Thanks! I'll definitely look into getting the western blot test.

I would appreciate any other thoughts too! Hopefully one of the doctors on the board might chime in with some ideas :)

[wonko]

I can relate to the skepticism, I had a largely neurological presentation (not that unlike the one you describe) and hate the outdoors for the very reason of bugs!  I underwent extensive testing for over a year for just about everything under the sun, all the while being told that it couldn't be Lyme (since I didn't recall a bite or rash).

Lyme disease can cause over 100 symptoms, and the co-infections (other diseases carried by ticks) complicate the diagnostic picture.  To me, your symptoms that come and go, are widespread, and include fasciculations, are a good fit to Lyme.  But I have no medical training plus it's impossible for anyone to tell just by your story if you really have it or not.  But I'm glad your open to pursuing the matter, as Lyme is treatable.

Since you note a previous episode, you may have had your condition for longer than you realize.  Several folks with long undiagnosed Lyme go through something of a relapse/remit pattern before the severity of the disease becomes constant.  That happened to me, and greatly added to my anxiety about MS.

The testing for Lyme disease can be lousy, many doctors rely on the ELISA screening test and will only conduct a more accurate Western blot if the screen is positive.  If you can, push for a Western blot.  

Even though your symptoms sound largely neurological, you may want to also see a rheumatologist.  It was my experience that they are very detailed in doing blood work, the rheumy I saw ordered about 11 vials worth of tests to rule out various autoimmune conditions and such.  Lupus is an inflammatory systemic autoimmune illness, and you should get that ruled out for sure.

[159357]

Hi Wonko, thanks for the reply! I've had a few people online suggest Lyme disease, but I haven't had any of the other symptoms of Lyme such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, rashes, heart palpitations, etc. It is definitely something I will try to rule out, though, as it's possible I just have a weird variation but I haven't really been exposed to any ticks, no bullseye rash, and I'm not really an outdoors person especially when my symptoms started in late February/early March.

[wonko]

Have you been tested for Lyme disease?  The "flu-like" onset brings it to mind, and while I don't know where you are geographically, it is tick season in the US.  The ticks carrying Lyme can be smaller than a poppy side and numb the area where they bite, so it's easy to miss them.

It would be unusual for MS to present with such broad symptoms, like tingling in hands and feet.  Your presentation sounds more systemic, also bringing to mind Lyme disease.

I'm glad you had a clear MRI and hope that you find answers to your health concerns soon.

[159357]

P.S. I am not currently on any medications and don't have any existing health problems (other than minor "exercise induced asthma" which hasn't bothered me in years).