Numbness in head, hands,

[ResQBeca]

Hi I am new to the fourm. I have been going to a Neurologist for the past 4mo to try to find out why I had a sever headache for 3 mo.after I was I the ER and had a CT that was Neg. Why I was there I asked him about the numbness I had in my head, hands, and feet that I would wake up 2-3 times a night in pain from my hands being numb. They did an exam and said my whole nervous system was inflamed. They sent me for a MRI w/ and w/o contrast on my head,9 blood test(MS,RA,Lupus,Vitamin Dif.and a few more) , and an EEG. He also gave me some Rx. I had all the test done they came back normal. Then I was sent to get an MRI of my neck w/o contrast, and an EMG they came back normal. The med's I was given helped some. I was talking to the Dr they want to put it off as stress and that is not it I was told that all the test came back fine so I am an anomaly. Then raised my Rx. I asked about Lyme Disease. They ask if I had ever been biten by a tick I told them yes why else would I ask about it. Then they said if it would make me feel better they would send my for a Lyme test. The only thing I have a problem with is the one med I am taking is not helping at all any more my hands go numb all the time to the point I can not use them and my head is starting to go numb almost very other day. I was wondering if this sounds like anything to anybody.

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

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes. The symptoms and history that you have provided is complex and there is a lot of information that I do not have. From the information you have related I think your concern about Lyme disease is valid.  Certainly many other things could cause your presentation including viral encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches, stress, etc. but Lyme is treatable and hard to diagnose.  The tests for lyme can come normal unless treatment is started, because the borellia burgdorferi (agent that causes lyme) is immunosuppressive.  I would recommend a trial on antibiotics.  
  From the symptoms your describe, I would also recommend a Lumbar puncture (if not done) for cell count, protein, glucose, lyme PCR, HSV PCR, west nile PCR, tourtelotte panel, culture and gram stain, oligoclonal bands (your neurologist will know these tests).  In addition, I would recomend you get a brain SPECT scan (this evaluates blood flow in the brain and can show restricted blood flow even with a normal MRI, this is often seen in lyme disease).  I would also make sure that your EMG included nerve conduction studies for carpal tunnel due to your waking up with hand pain/numbness.  There are many medications for neuropathic pain and I would suggest that if the one is not working increase the dose, then switch to another (they include: neurontin, lyrica, elavil, pamelor, desipiramine, effexor, cymbalta, maprotiline, etc.)
I would also suggest formal neuropsych testing and MMPI to evaluate your cognition and reactions to stress to prove to your doctors that you have a valid disease that needs treating and whether depression management needs to be part of your treatment.
I hope this has been helpful.

[ResQBeca]

Hi and thanks for your responses. I am going to look in to the lyme. I have been biten many times by ticks. I made an appt. with a new Nero. yesterday. Hopefuly they will be better at wanting to find out what is wrong. I did not like the fact I had to bring it up to my last Dr. To many times Dr's say stress like my Dr. did. So I went to see another one for it. Well becouse I am a single mom of 5 kids, a fulltime nursing student, & and work fulltime then I am stressed, yes just a little but not to the point that all the problems I am having, and a lot of them started long before any the single, nursing student, and working full time came in to play. The only differences is my head aches were pin point short headaches and then went to a 3mo. headache and more frequent. I have been under alot of stress in my life. This is nothing. The only thing good about seeing him is I got help for my ADD. The med they put me on help my symptoms at frist but not any more. Now they are comeing back. I am going to keep looking in to it until I find out what is wrong.
Thank You All So Much
ResQBeca  

[dennis_stowe]

during the past month my left hand has gradually went numb mainly middle finger to the pinky finger if i move my arm a certain way i get muscle spasms in my hand also i am 29 yrs old. ive had these symptoms after mowing the lawn and it was very hot and did not feel very well afetr i was finished mowing ive put off going to the er bcause i find i dont get much help when i go there.was wondering if maybe i had a mild stroke or if it could possable be related to a nerve disorder.i had a test done 3 yrs ago and they told me i had a damaged 7th nerve but not sure what the 7th nerve is or even where itrs located.can this condition be serious?or am i overreacting. the numbness isnt getting any worse or any better. please help

[Probeggar]

I am a 44 year old male who had a serious bout with viral encephalameningitis last fall (Oct 2005).  I was in the hospital for 7 1/2 weeks, 2 on an acute care floor.  I have recovered much of my strength and feeling, after being basically numb from the waiste down, as well as from my ears forward, since the time of my illness.  

I lost just over 15% of my body weight (200 pounds to 170), and was in very good physical condition at the tiume of the illness.  I have regained feeling in my cheeks, but still have numbness on my forehead, and "below the belt."  The nerve pain in my left leg, which was excruciating, is now gone.  I am concerned about sexual function, and the degree to which I can encourage nerve regeneration, either homeopathically or by use of alternative drugs if need be.  It has been 11 months since the attack, and I am trying to be as patient as possible. Is there anywhere I can go for additional information?