Strange Symptoms

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you may have for me.

I'll give you a quick/brief background:

1991: rear-ended by a  pick-up truck-balcked out for a moment-whiplash

1992: car accident-hit face on steering wheel-seat belt didn't lock properly

1992-now:  Classic migraines-1 every month or so

1992: very bad case of mono for over two months

2001: sudden tingling on left side of face, left arm and hand- lasted about 1/2 hour, went to PCP, ordered CAT scan-normal, referred to neurologist-she said nothing's wrong-probably migraine w/out headache

2001-2003:  continued, brief off and on numbness-transient

Sept. 2003:  Started having a lot of new symptoms:

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

The normal MRI of the brain makes MS unlikely, but I agree with the MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine. The symptoms you are describing are widespread, and involve neurologic functions, and joint pains. I would recommend having inflammatory conditions such as polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis excluded. This can be done with a sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein (blood tests). Also, conditions such as lupus, and other connective tissue disorders should be excluded. Other things to consider checking are B12, folate, and methylmalonic acid. Migraine variant (complicated migraine) is also a consideration. Without examining you and reviewing your studies, I can not be more specific. If you are unhappy with your current neurologist I would recommend a consultation with another neurologist (prefferable at an academic center). Good luck.

[MAMA2ALL]

Sorry...I think I hit enter by mistake...I hope this works.
Sept. 2003:  Started having lots of new symptoms-
             -constant for four weeks:  headache, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness (I was afraid to drive, arms and legs felt very heavy
             -other off and on things: feeling like water was dripping down my legs and on the top of my left foot, numbness in fingers and toes, left eye pain (no visual disturbances), a "fuzzy/buzzing" feeling on my left ankle
             -They lasted four weeks and then suddenly went away.  However, for four more weeks after that, my right leg felt weak and wobbly.

I went back to the neuro. who told me that she could think of no explanation for these things, and to call if I had any more questions.  From December until mid January, I felt really good.  But from then until now, I had three instances (about one hour each) where my left eye goes blurry suddenly, and I am feeling very fatigued again, and my jaw (both sides) and my elbows really hurt.

I have had an MRI of brain (With and w/out contrast) which was normal, and extensive bloodwork which was all normal.  I am not satisfied that there is nothing going on, so my PCP is sending me in this Fri. for an MRI of cervical and thorasic spine, and also wants me to stop in to do some sort of blood test for Lupus.

I guess I have the big one's like MS in the back of my mind, but I would like to know what else might cause these problems, and any other advise you ay have.

Thank you SOOOOO very much for taking the time to read all of this!

[Mother Margaret]

Now that you are seeing more assorted and odd symptoms, I would definitely consider whether you may have too much exposure to a chemical that causes a lot of odd symptoms ... I call them the 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms.  This chemical is 2-butoxyetanol (CAS 111-76-2) and the troops then and most likely since 1940's to now are, too, along with the complex version diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. (CAS 112-34-5) Check out where they are found in the Household Products Database.

I would certainly look into the blood more in depth. If your red blood cells have been damaged by this chemical, there would be 'fragility of the red blood cells.' Seeing a hematologist would be a very good idea. These symptoms of Hemolytic anemia:

Chills
Fatigue
Pale color
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate (like 250 beats/min)
Yellow skin color (jaundice)
Dark urine (indicative of blood in urine - never dismiss this! Stop exposure immediately!)
Enlarged spleen

You can have compensating hemolytic anemia & it not show up in the blood counts as long as the bone marrow is making new red blood cells to compensate for the early dying off of red blood cells; once the bone marrow can no longer keep up and red blood cells are being made too much in the peripheral organs there is a condition which compresses the spinal chord and can lead to paralysis:  extramedullary hematopoiesis.

I believe the key to finding out if this chemical has harmed you is locked away in the 'secrets' of the blood ... odd as that may seem, since the central nervous system damage yells louder and has been diverting attention away from the blood - almost always!

So you would have debilitating fatigue from low functioning red blood cells in this situation. Check for fragility of red blood cells; Check for Hematuria and ...

Does blood present an abnormal picture showing:
Erythropenia
Reticulocytosis
Granulocytosis
Leukocytosis

I'm just doing a study on the chemical of harm to the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers and talk to a lot of them; only chemical of harm is this 2-butoxyethanol (or oil to a few; ethylene oxide to a few - in Corexit); the gulf war vets of 90-91 have the same health effects from what I am learning in 'talking' to them, too; but I was so surprised to learn that painters and people in their homes can have too much exposure in regular use of products such as Lysol Tub 'n Tile (it is a registered pesticide) and 409 Cleaner (Most like Corexit 9527) and many automotive, hobby craft and varnish products.