Post partum symptoms that won`t go away.....

[090308health]

After having my daughter vaginally w/ an epidural that was placed twice in Aug. of 2002, I started having problems. It all began with a slight tingling in both hands and feet. Then the tingling spread from my feet up to my knees, that went away within 2 weeks. Then I started having a slight numb sensation on the inside of my left heel that I have had on and off since the delivery. I began to twitch all over, I had buzzing sensations in my neck and limbs, I had a dull throbbing pain behind my right eye, I have weakness in my knees at times. Both legs tingle bad after exercise. The numb sensation on the inside of my left heel is worse with hot shower, exercise, and as soon as I stand up out of the bed in the mornings. My hands and legs cramp also. Left side of head tingles. I developed high blood pressure after the birth and am now on Aetenolol 25 mg. My neurological symptoms flare up during my menstrual cycle. I had no other neurological problems prior to this other than when I was 7 yrs old. I woke up one morning, and was unable to walk. I couldn`t use my legs from the waist down. I was fine the next morning, so my parents just thought it was some kind of post viral effect, I didn`t see a doctor over it. I also had a lot of left leg knee weakness as a child. I had an MRI of brain in `98 after car wreck - normal. MRI of brain in `02 - normal, MRI of c-spine in 02 - normal, nerve conduct. test in 02 - essentially normal, somatosensory evoked pot. test in 03 - normal. Physical exams were normal. eye exam - normal, blood-normal, Sould I repeat the MRI`? What should I do now?

[090308health]

Hi Cyvonne, I have experienced similar things. I posted first on this topic, so you can read my post for details. Have you had an MRI of brain? Did you have an epidural? Thanks...

[cyvonne]

Hi...I am 47 and experienced similar problems after the birth of my son in '97. I had a c-section and had a spinal.  Sometimes I wonder if that contributed to my problems.  I experienced lots of neurological problems... tingling sensations, vertigo, dizziness, stabbing pains, buzzing feeling legs, twitching etc. I also experienced lots of wierd sensations at night.  When I would get up at night, the back of my legs would be numb, and my arms and legs would be "asleep" a lot. Actually, it started about 2 months before his birth with pain in the tops of my feet.  If I "stretched" this area, it would cause extreme pain.  I thought it was just the pregnancy but it happened in other areas eventually after the birth (my toe, back, knees, finger) and after these "painful stretching, tearing feeling" episodes the result would be numbness in these areas.  Sometimes the feeling came back (after months) but there are still spots that are permantly numb. The pain is on the skin surface, not like muscles or joints. My doctor has no clue...had lots of tests that showed nothing. He says he's never heard of anyone having pain that cause numbness.  Saw a neurologist that basically said it was in my head. Things eventually calmed down, but flare up occassionly.  Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar.

[jenhails]

In May of 1994, I had my daughter vaginally. I have had a physical nightmare every since. Since the day I came home, I have had this overwhelming since of fatique and it almost felt like a rock sitting on top of my head. (pressure on my head) Now, when I was pregnant, I remember my left lower back giving me alot of trouble and I would always sleep with my leg proped up to relieve the pressure. As of this day, it still bothers me and I have had x-rays and it came back ok. Anyways, as the years got longer, I tried to deal with this heavy feeling on my head but more and more symptoms have come up.  I have extreme difficulty concentrating and remembering things. I have muscle weekness, and numbness in legs and hands. Every bone in my body aches expecially, my fingers.I have lost vision and extreme blurred vision in my right eye and right eye pain. I am very sensitive to sunlight which in the past I was not. I am very sensitive to touch, pain, or any noise. I have ringing in my ears.And this past year, I have vertigo everyday. My gait is more trembly some days than others. It is more of a "drunken" feeling than anything. I have seen an ear specialist, and he has ruled out things. I have had 2 MRI"s and they both come back bad with the diagnosis of "possible vasculitis due to an autoimmune process". I have had blood work that ruled out certain autoimmune diseases. I have had a spinal tap which ruled out MS, Lymes, and Lupus. I have had a sleep apnea test, which ruled out that I have 95% o2 during my sleep but, I was in Rem alot. This is stopping me from living my life and I have a beautiful daughter to raise. I have no idea what I should do. I think my neurologist has given up. What other tests can I have done that I have not done? I would appreciate any advice I can get. My email address is ***@****

[090308health]

Hi Jen, Honestly, I don`t know what other tests you could do... I have very similar symptoms. I have right eye pain too, and my eyes are very sensitive to light also. I haven`t lost vision from this yet, but I can`t afford to. I was born partially blind in my left eye do to a childhood cataract. Do you have any permanent vision loss from the symptoms? I have had sensory problems since the birth, weakness, twitching, and a feeling of fatigue also. All of my tests have came back normal, including MRI`s. I seen a new neurologist recently, and he is sending me for another MRI of brain and an EMG test. The doctors I`ve seen seemed puzzled. They said MS was a possibility, but it always is when women present w/ vague neurological problems I suppose. I haven`t had a spinal tap yet, and don`t plan to unless I have severe problems. Did you have an epidural in `94? Did you have any more children after this?

[090308health]

Hi, thanks for replying! It`s been a while since any moms w/ these symptoms have replied to me. Yeah, I have posted on here before, all the time actually! I worry about MS too, and am sorry to hear of your problems as well. I have seen 3 neurologists total. The first one thought I had something, but wasn`t sure what. She couldn`t run any tests though because my insurance wouldn`t pay for her office, so I was sent to a second neurologist, he didn`t think MS, but was puzzled. The third neurologist didn`t think MS either, but seemed puzzled the symptoms kept returning. I`m now in the process of trying to see a 4th neurologist and trying to get some more tests ran. What kind of virus did the neurologist think might have attacked your spine? That sounds like a good theory to me.... I do remember before all of these symptoms started, I had a horrible pain one day that shot from my back into my head, paralyzing me for a few seconds, and causing me to fall on to my couch in my living room, it was a weird feeling. Everything went crazy after that. Do you ever feel any numbness? I do and symptoms are worse w/ period and exercise. Are your symptoms worse w/ exercise? Feel free to email me at: ***@**** Thanks...

[ndogmom]

I think I have seen your story before.  I have a very similar experience as your.  My symptoms started about 2 1/2 years ago 1 year after my son was born with tingling/odd sensation in both hands and feet which slowly spread.  I went to a neurologist right away.  They thought I might have Guillain Barres but that was ruled out  My symptoms were more noticable in the beginning and more constant now they seem to come and go with exercise or if I am tired/stressed

Here are a list of my symptoms:
-feeling of water droplets frequent in beginning (not noticable now)
-tingling/vibrations in different areas of body mostly left side behind knees worsen with excercise (biggest complaint)
-feeling of light touch (frequently)
-burning sensation on scalp (not very frequent)

My main concern is MS because it seems my symptoms are an exact match although all my tests have been normal.  I know that some times it takes time to show positive.  I have been seen by one fo the best MS centers in the US.  He thinks I had a virus that attacked my spinal cord and I may have symptoms for many years.

List of all my tests
-Brain MRI 7/02 normal and 3/03 normal
-Spinal MRI 10/02 normal
-Evoked Potentials 10/02 normal
-Spinal Tap 7/02 normal
-Blood test for everything under the sun cancers, thyroid,  STD's, lupus, hormones, metal poisoing etc...
-Physical exams slightly abnormal but nothing major according to neurolgist

I have tried everything.  Cutting our caffeine and nutra sweet, yoga, chiropractor, and a psycologist.  Nothing seems to have help.  I just try to tell myself I do not have MS but sometimes it can be hard.  I have researced something called benign fasciculations syndorem (BFS) which may be of interest to you.  It mathces s lot of our symptoms.  I forgot to add this started about a week after the flu.

Sorry so long I just wanted to share everything.  Keep in touch.  I would love to hear how you are doing.  I am sorry but I no not know much about silent migrans but I do know they can have similar symptoms.

[090308health]

Does anyone know anything about atypical migraines? My PCP said I could be having atypical migraines since I haven`t had a diagnosis yet. I don`t know much about them though. Anybody ever have these? If so, what were your symptoms, thanks...

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

THe testing and evaluation you have had thus far have tested both the structure and function of the nervous system, and have detected no abnormalities. Since the symptoms have persisted since 2002, it may be reasonable to repeat an MRI at some point. Your blood should be checked for inflammatory conditions such as lupus, connective tissue disorders, and lyme (if you are in an affected area). I would encourage you to have a second opinion with another neurologist to confirm the negative evaluation. Good luck.

[090308health]

I checked out your web page, but noticed your main problem was pain. Do you have any other neurological problems other than pain? Back pain would almost suggest a slipped disk or pinched nerve it would seem. What do the doctors think your problem is? I hope you feel better soon.

[090308health]

Also what could this be doctor? Thanks...

[khd350]

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