Still having neuro symptoms...should i be worried

[SET8]

I am very worried about MS.  I started with some neurological symptoms last July (2005).  I finally  saw a neurologist and had an MRI of my brain only, in December 05.  It came out completely clear.  Since then I have been okay, but just recently I began having symptoms again.  I feel generally tired all the time.  My middle finger on my left hand has been tingling on and off for about a week.  I have aches and pains in arms and legs often.  I also have had a ridiculous amount of floaters in my eyes since january of this year.  For that, I had an eye exam, and they said nothing was wrong.  I am just wondering if I should still be worried, seeing as I had a clean MRI of my brain in December?   Thanks for any advice/help.

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

First keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you since I am not able to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes only. The symptoms you describe are not classic for Multiple sclerosis, but you have not had a complete work-up for the disease at this time.  MS often starts off with optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) that causes painful loss of vision in one eye for several weeks.  I can also begin with numbness or weakness in an isolated location that gets worse over 1-4 days then gets better in 4-6 weeks.  Patients do often relate fatigue as a part of their disease, but fatigue is found in many diseases.  MRI of the brain is often a first test, because many patients with MS have more lesions in their brain than they have symptoms. Not all lesions are in a part of the brain that controls sensory or motor function, and may cause no problems at all.  However, some forms of MS affect the spinal cord more often than the brain (Devic's), and some forms of MS only cause brain atrophy without discreet lesions (primary progressive MS).  I would suggest that you see a neurologist that specializes in MS and have then evaluate your risk of the disease.  From what you have presented here, it does not seem very high.  If you want to be sure, discuss these tests with your neurologist: MRI of cervical spine (to look for spinal disease) Visual evoked potential (to look for past optic neuritis) lumbar puncture (to look for inflammation and oligoclonal bands in the spinal fluid). I hope this has been helpful.

[SET8]

Forgot to add that I also have a tremor when trying to do fine motor tasks, such as typing!

[SET8]

gosh i keep forgetting things! i'm a 24 y/o otherwise healthy female.  thanks

[KB1975]

I am wanting to post this to the Dr but there are always too many questions for the day.  Ok, I am freaked out that i have MS.  Everything you google on the internet with tingling leads you to an MS sight.  

I am 31 and started out having a weird feeling in my big toe and then some tingling in my foot 2 weeks ago.  The tingling in my foot isn't as bad anymore but it's more in my calf but maybe not even that high. I noticed also that it might be on the other leg too by the calf, or maybe I am imagining it since I have been a freak about this.  No visual disturbances, numbness, nothing else really.  It is also better when I lay down to take a nap or bedtime.  I don't notice it at all. And it's also better when I sit in a chair with both of my feet up kind of like in a little ball.  I just had a baby 4 months ago and am so paranoid that this is MS because it also says it presents itself a few months after pregnancy. I was on bedrest 5 weeks before I had my baby.  I started working out about 3 months ago, lifting light weights a big of light cardio.  I went to my family Dr for something else and mentioned this and he acted like it was no big deal.  I told him when I look on the internet it brings up all these MS links for my symptoms and said "That's why every first year med student thinks they are dying!"  

IF it were MS would my symptoms get better when I have my legs in a ball or when I am asleep/resting?  

Any thoughts on what this could be?

[roll 'em]

I have this symptom with my feet mainly around ankles. Goes away at night and when you sit in certain positions. Does it also goes away when you are concentrating on something else? That was a tell tale sign for me (mine does) as MS related symptoms dont do that.

My MS Neuro told me that MS does not wax and wane like this-- it stays for a period of time then subsides (Assuming RR MS). If your tingling is disappearing depending on how you are sitting doesn't sound like MS to me. Check out some MS posts on the anxiety forum if you havent already, you'll find loads of people just like us! Seriously its worth a read as your mind can produce loads of different symptoms and once you start googling it goes into overdrive. Not a good move I spent god knows how long self diagnosing and it doesnt help, trust me. Read up on anxiety, I think it will help you as your symptoms dont sound like MS.

[KB1975]

Thank you very much for your response. I think it does go away when I am really concentrating on something else but that seems to be rare these days since it seems like this is controlling my life.  It's completely ridiculous!  I also should mention when I am walking around like the neighborhood or the mall I don't notice it either. It is mainly when I am at the computer or sitting in a chair watching TV (yet also thinking about it I'm sure!) Maybe it's the sciatic nerve or something?  Wonder how long I should wait to pursue it.  

Where is the anxiety forum? I couldn't find it.

[roll 'em]

Do a search under A and you 'll get Anxiety, or go to the bottom of that page, click on medical forums and go to mental health forum you'll find some good posts under anxiety here. If you get that far go into mental health archives, anxiety and go back to 2004.

One post that really helped me is under headline 'worried about MS'  
(its about half way down the page).Long thread but it will hopefully put things into perspective for you.

[IMPO2004]

You have answered your own question already, by posting your concern. If you are having symptoms and the Doctor has failed to find the source of your problem, then you are very correct. You Should Be Worried. Do not let it go until you have something far worse to deal with. If you are not satisfied with your doctors care, find one that will treat you with the respect, dignity, and efficency, compassion, understanding and determination that he promised to in the Hippocratic Oath he took when he became a Doctor.

[KB1975]

Yes I did have an epidural but I don't really think that is it.  I think it is on both sides. At least today it has been on both sides of my legs.  I think I am in such stress that it is MS that I am driving myself absoloutely nuts.  This is all I can think about.

[icelated]

have you been checked for thyroid problems you seem to have some of the symptoms?

[sue35]

I've been having problems with my eyes for so long that it's just a normal part of my life, but I do worry at times. It started about 10 yrs ago with (This sounds really mad} a ghost outline of things, and seeing shadows. I also have a strange sensation in my eyes when I am in the dark or a dim light, my eyes take a while to adjust. Also if I look at an object I see a after image when i look away, but this is also in dim lighting and if I look at a white background. I went to see an eye specialist about 8 yrs ago and he said my eyesight was very good. I feel I must be the only person to suffer with this.