Sensory Symptoms

Hi,

I've had some very mild "abnormal" sensations for about 15 months.  All of it started with an eyelid twitch early last fall.  As I remember, I've had an eyelid twitch on occassion since childhood (probably no more than the average person).  Then a few years ago, I had a more persistent one that lasted about a week and then went away.  Last fall, I had one that lasted for about 4 months, and it was pretty much constant.  I looked up "eyelid twitch" on the internet and came across just about everything one could imagine, including MS.  Of course that made me worry.  Last Thanksgiving, I had a sensation that warm water was being poured down the back of my leg.  This happened off and on for a few weeks then disappeared.  Since then, the more I read (so it seems), the more symptoms I develop.  I've never had any vision problems or muscle weakness, but I've had some fairly constant muscle twitches (for about a year, but lately these have subsided A LOT) in various parts of my body.  The eyelid twitch came back in the opposite eye this time, and comes and goes at will.  I've also had twitches above my eye, under my eye, etc.  I've had 3 instances where my 2 fingertips felt a burning sensation (lasted a few seconds at a time), and a strange sensation in two toes on my left foot (almost like a cramp without the pain, but there was no cramp).  I've also had a few very mild buzzing sensations in various parts of my body that don't last but a second or two (thumb, crease inside elbow, thigh, front of shin).  One of the most irritating sensations I've had for almost a year is a slight rubbing sensation on one spot on my back.  Feels almost like a tag from clothing is rubbing the skin.  This comes and goes.  I've never had what I would call an attack, just these annoying and worrisome sensations that come and go.  I'm not unusually tired, but I do tend to stress a lot about my health, and always fear the worst.  I haven't been to a neurologist yet (don't want to unless I really have to).  My primary doc says he doesn't think that's necessary at this point, but will send me if I want him to.  Heat doesn't bother me, and in fact, a hot shower or hot tub soak makes me feel better.  Can stress and anxiety add to this?  What do you think of my abnormal sensations?  Does this sound like MS?  I know it is different in every person.  What else could cause me to have these twitches and sensations?  Thank you for helping me.  I'm very worried.

[Caliber2005]

Hi Monikat,
How are you feeling now?
I would try to answer your entire question one by one.
Yes, Stress and anxiety can do this. Stress is the condition that results when person-environment transactions lead the individual to perceive a discrepancy, whether real or not, between the demands of a situation and the resources of the person's biological, psychological or social systems. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress.
MS can cause changes in sensation, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving; difficulties with coordination and balance; problems in speech or swallowing, visual problems, fatigue and acute or chronic pain syndromes, bladder and bowel difficulties, cognitive impairment, or depression.
The initial attacks are often transient, mild and self-limited. The most common initial symptoms reported are: changes in sensation in the arms, legs or face (33%), complete or partial vision loss (optic neuritis) (16%), weakness (13%), double vision (7%), unsteadiness when walking (5%), and balance problems (3%); but many rare initial symptoms have been reported such as aphasia or psychosis.
Your symptomatologies as of now does sound like you are having MS, but there are definitive guidelines, on which the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is based. There are definitive lesions (suggestive of MS) on MRI also.
Once internationally accepted criteria’s are satisfied, then diagnosis of multiple Sclerosis can be made.
Benign twitches are normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or anxiety. Any irregularity in your daily diet can also cause similar symptoms. Any drug overdose especially caffeine. Exercise can also induce twitching.
Hope this helps.
Bye.

[Monikat]

Thanks for the information.  Can't say it makes me feel any better, but thanks.  I'll have to wait and see.