Headaches, burning sensations and blurred vision

Hi, I am a 24 year old female from southeastern Georgia.  In early January, my right leg began to tingle and go numb for hours at a time.  At that time, that was the only symptom I had.  In mid January, my right leg became numb and remained that way for about two weeks.  Once feeling came back into my right leg, I noticed that it would go numb everyday for hours up until late February, where It went numb and stayed that way for a few weeks.  I went to my general practitioner and he stuck me with the tip of two Q-tips.  One was jagged, and the other was smooth.  He began to poke me numerous times on my entire body (maybe 50 or so times, same number on both sides).  I was unable to determine which one he was poking me with on my right side.  However, on my left side, he found that I could distinguish between all pokes on that side.  He immediately referred me to a Neurologist.  Shortly after the onset of the numbness on my right side, I began experiencing severe headaches, burning sensations (all over my body), blurred vision, weakness in my right arm and leg, fatigue (thought I was just being lazy, I have stayed tired since August of 2006), difficulty with memory and concentration,  and muscle spasticity.  There are no good days anymore, I find myself feeling ill at all times, some worse than others I must admit.  What does this seem like it could be?  Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, or what?  Everyday I literally have to drag myself out of bed, if not for the pain because of the depression.

[StrictlyTopSecret]

Have you been tested for Lyme disease? Lyme (and other common co-infections) can manifest with neurological symptoms similar to those you describe. It is important NOT to settle for a "lyme titer", as the ELISA screening tests for this complex illness are notoriously unreliable and frequently yield false negatives. If Lyme disease and/or co-infections (e.g., babesia, erlichiosis, bartonella) is a possibility for you, you would be well-served to have your physician order a Western Blot (both IgG and IgM) from a lab specializing in tick borne illnesses (e.g., Igenex, MDL, Bowen).

[thester6474]

I also feel that if I get hot or stressed, that the symptoms seem to worsen.  

[thester6474]

By the way, I woke up about a month ago, I awakened to an intense burning sensation all over my body.  I was trying to prepare for work, but I found myself unable to even walk for three days, the sensations were unbearable.

[thester6474]

No, I have not been tested Lyme Disease, and I have just began seeing two Neurologists because I was thourougly unsatisfied with my neurologist.  I have an MRI scheduled for friday, july 13th of my brain.

[tory2457]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with MS at 30, it took 3 yrs to get my diagnosis..why? MS is a clinical diagnosis, testing with MRI's are helpful, yet can't tell the exact "story".

I am now finally treating the cause of my MS because like StrictlyTopSecret suggests, I did in fact get a lyme test,,,,through a lab that specializes in tick borne illnesses. e.g. Igenex Labs.

Lyme disease like MS is also a "clinical" diagnosis,,,and with your current symptoms, you are presenting with many of the lyme symptoms.

You're young, read all you can about this horrible disease, get the proper testing, find a doctor who is educated in Lyme disease, and start your journey to good health.

there's a website lymenetdotorg, you might want to visit. There are lots of folks that have similar symptoms as you and are getting well.

the best to you,
tory

[thester6474]

Hi, thank you both for your help, I could use all the help possible.  I will ask my doctor's about lyme disease and its testing.