Muscle Twitches/Disequilibrium/Tingling and pins and needles symptoms, unexplained SOB

[Rusty120]

Hello,

  I have had two normal brain MRIs and two normal EMGs. However, Muscle Twitches/Disequilibrium/Tingling and pins and needles symptoms, unexplained SOB have been intermittent since Dec 2008.  The muscle twitches have become more prominent in the last 3 months.  I do not have any atrophy or muscle weakness.  The neurologist last week had a MRI done of my brain and cervical spine--Brain was normal and cervical spine is below.  Does anybody know what might be causing the above symptoms and how if any way the below can be related?

Any other recommended tests I could ask for to further look into what might be causing my symptoms?

Thanks,
Rusty

CHCS 10052772 Cervical Spine MRI. COMPARISON: None available.. PROCEDURE: Multiplanar, multisequence MRI of the cervical spine was performed on a 1.5 Tesla Philips Intera platform using a phased-array surface coil and the following pulse sequences: Conventional Spin-echo T1-weighted sagittal, fast spin-echo T2-weighted sagittal, axial T2 GRE, and T2 weighted axial sequences. FINDINGS: Vertebral body height, alignment, and marrow signal appear normal. The intervertebral disks demonstrate normal height but with decreased intrasubstance T2 signal compatible with degenerative desiccation. Incidentally imaged posterior fossa contents, skull base, cranial vertebral junction, and paraspinous soft tissues appear unremarkable. Segmental analysis is as follows: C2-C3: Unremarkable. C3-C4: Unremarkable. C4-C5: Unremarkable. C5-C6: There is a very small central disk protrusion which indents the thecal sac but does not contact the ventral cord. There is no significant spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing. C6-C7: There is a very small central disk protrusion which indents the thecal sac but does not contact the ventral cord. There is no significant spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing. C7-T1: Unremarkable. IMPRESSION: Minimal degenerative disk disease at C5-C6 and C6-C7 as above.

[GB1956]

Did you ever receive a diagnosis or treatment that helped. I have experienced similar symptoms for several months now with no relief. I have had 2 MRI's an MRA, doppler sonogram, CAT scan, stress test, balance test, X-Ray's and three sets of blood work. All came back clear. I am going through a month of antibiotic in case it is Lyme disease that is not showinng in the blood work but it has been no help. Please let me know if you discoverred anything.

[Rusty120]

Thanks.  I didn't know that the fact that the nerve could be irritated could cause the above symptoms I listed--thanks for your feedback.

Regards,
Rusty

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

There can be several reasons of your dizziness and twitching symptoms although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

Most likely your symptoms may be due to nerve irritation in the cervical (neck) spine because of injury/prolapse where contact between the edges of the vertebrae can cause neck pain. In few people, this pain may be referred and perceived as occurring in the back of head, shoulders, arms or chest, rather than just the neck. Other symptoms may include vertigo, nausea (dizziness) that you felt. Other symptoms are like neck pain and stiffness can be intermittent. It will be best that you consult a neurologist who would like to prescribe Pain killers, steroid and muscle relaxants. Other treatments could be cervical orthosis such as a soft cervical collar/stiffer neck brace to restrict neck movement. In addition, cervical traction may also be suggested by the doctor, if condition is severe. Hope this helps.