MS or something else ?

[bernice]

Thank u for taking the time to answer my questions. I have been expierencing a variety of symptoms that I think could be MS. I have on and off numbness in my upper legs along with tingling in both feet. The tingling seems to come and go throughout the day. My foot will tingle for an hour or so and go away, and then come back several times throughout the day and do the same thing. Also have expierenced a little tingling in my forehead. this tingling has only occured 2 or 3 times and only lasted a few seconds before subsiding. Also have slight weakness in my left hand that comes and goes. Also on several occasions my legs feel tight, kind of like i've been working out or running when in fact i've done nothing strenuous. During exam my pcp also stated my deep tendon reflexes were a little too brisk. He thought i had a spine problem and ordered an MRI of my cervical spine. The mri was clear. He also tested me for diebetes and lyme and thyroid all negative. Since then I have had on and off dizziness and headaches. My pcp says I may have a peripheal neuropathy (spelling) that is causing the tingling and numbness and says stress may be causing my dizziness. My questions are.  Does this sound like MS or not?  Is it possible to have a neuropathy w/o pain? What other conditions have my type of symptoms?  My pcp says my numbness and tingling does not sound like MS numbness. How does MS numbness and tingling differ from other types?  Thank you......Bernice

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-RPS]

Dear Bernice:

Sorry that your having symptoms of numbness.  Your symptoms seem to be fairly constant from day to day, which would be unlikely for MS.  MS symptoms usually will have an acute onset with subsequent recovery with symptoms repeating themselvesat a later time point, months to years later.  Whether or not you have a peripheral neuropathy is difficult to tell you over the internet.  Yes, one can have a sensory peripheral neuropathy without motor features.  The sensory symptoms (as well as motor features) of MS are central, meaning that they come due to demyelination occurring in the brain or spinal cord, and not the peripheral nervous system.  So, unlike periperal sensory problems that have a distinct dermatome distribution, they are patchy and usually asymmetric.  Likely, if the leg is involved, then the whole leg would be involved in some way.  what your telling me doesn't fit the classic central sensory neuropathy.  I have never noticed or been told in my training a specific MS numbness that would be different from any other central nervous system numbness.  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[bernice]

try between 8 and 9 am

[mysticgal207]

What TIME did you post your question?