Numbness...

[CW__0]

    
      Re: Numbness...
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD *!* on November 30, 1997 at 19:04:48:

In Reply to: Numbness... posted by CW on November 30, 1997 at 01:23:12:

: About 4 months ago I began experiencing numbness, at first in the thigh area,
  but gradually spreading to now include parts of my legs, feet, arms, back,
  chest, neck, and face.  I have been consistently numb in most of these areas
  for about 3 months now, and some other areas "come and go".  I saw my
  family physician first, and then a neurologist - both have ruled out MS
  at least for now, and I have also been checked for Lyme. Is this an unusual
  amount of time for some "virus" with these symptoms to run its course?  Are
  there other symptoms I should watch for?  Is there a disorder I can be checked
  for that matches these symptoms?  I haven't seen either Dr. since Sept. and
  am now growing concerned that this condition is not lessening.
  Thanks for any information you can give me.
  CW
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The symptoms you describe are quite unusual and do not fit the typical presentation of either MS or Lyme disease. It sound from your description as if various peripheral sensory nerves are affected and since you do not mention weakness it seems that only sensory nerves are affected leaving your motor nerves which control movement , completely uninvolved.
A virus infection causing this sort of pattern would be very  unlikely.
A number of further facts are necessary before even coming up with a limited list of  possibilities, for instance your age, past medical history, medications you take, the exact nature and distribution of the numbness.
People mean many different things by the term Numb; for instance can areas of loss of sensation be  documented repeatedly  by your Doctor on examination ?
Presuming that the symptoms are this obvious  you should be investigated to outrule the conditions which cause pure sensory peripheral neuropathies, this is the sort of work-up which is best done by a neurologist but would include drug side effects, rheumatological disorders like SLE, toxin exposure, B vitamin deficiencies and immune system reaction to infection or other diseases.
Watching for specific symptoms is usually unrewarding, since if a symptom is significant it should declare itself, it does seem however that it is time to see your doctor again if the symptoms have not resolved.