Tingling, numbness and burning sensation

I hope someone can help.  My daughter is 12 and is experencing tingling, numbness and a burning sensation down her back and it is spreading.  It has now gone into her legs, arms and hands.  She says that once in a while she feels a pain shoot down her spine.  We have been in contact with her neurologist.  These seem to be the only symptoms that she has.  There isn't any blured vision or speech problems.  I've been told to put a heating pad on her and ibuprofin.  She has also came home from her mothers house with a tick on her the last two times.  Lyme desease?  Would a spinal to take fluid help or a catscan?  Thanks for any information.               Sincerely,
                                        Peter

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Peter:

It is difficult to say what is going on, but from what you describe it may be a tick disorder.  If you live in an area that is known to be associated with lyme disease then you should get a lyme blood test.  I would also suggest that you go over your daughter with a fine tooth comb (literally) to see if there is a tick in her hair.  Once you have proved to your self that there isn't a tick, then I would see your pediatric neurologist and get a full exam to see if there is something else going on.  It may be something that is benign or you will never know, but I would see if there are any of the worrisome things going on.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[goodgal31]

Yes Lime for sure.  She's proly much to young for MS.  I cant understand the Neuro not doing a lyme test since she had a tick on her.  Lyme can cause all those. Im not a Dr but just wanted to comment.

[midge]

PAIN WITH PERPHERAL NEUROPATHY HAVING TROUBLE FIND SHOES,MY FEET ARE PINS AND NEEDLES.MY FOOT DOCTOR TELLS ME TO USE SIZE LARGER, THIS DOES NOT HELP AS THEY ARE TOO BIG.MT NEUROLOGIST INCREASED NEUROTIN TO 200MG FIVE TIMES PER DAY WITH LITTLE HOPE FOR A CURE.I ALSO TAKE 10MG ULTRUM BEDTIME TIME FOR PAIN.THE CORRECT SHOES MAY HELP.THANK YOU.

[midge]

PAIN WITH PERPHERAL NEUROPATHY HAVING TROUBLE FIND SHOES,MY FEET ARE PINS AND NEEDLES.MY FOOT DOCTOR TELLS ME TO USE SIZE LARGER, THIS DOES NOT HELP AS THEY ARE TOO BIG.MT NEUROLOGIST INCREASED NEUROTIN TO 200MG FIVE TIMES PER DAY WITH LITTLE HOPE FOR A CURE.I ALSO TAKE 10MG ULTRUM BEDTIME TIME FOR PAIN.THE CORRECT SHOES MAY HELP.THANK YOU.

[midge]

PAIN WITH PERPHERAL NEUROPATHY HAVING
TROUBLE FIND SHOES,MY FEET ARE PINS AND
NEEDLES.MY FOOT DOCTOR TELLS ME TO USE SIZE
LARGER, THIS DOES NOT HELP AS THEY ARE TOO
BIG.MT NEUROLOGIST INCREASED NEUROTIN TO
200MG FIVE TIMES PER DAY WITH LITTLE HOPE
FOR A CURE.I ALSO TAKE 10MG ULTRUM BEDTIME
TIME FOR PAIN.THE CORRECT SHOES MAY
HELP.THANK YOU.

[To Peter]

Just wondered if your daughter recently had the Hepatitis B vaccines.  There have been cases of children reporting neurological pn type symptoms (burning etc).  Just a thought.
If she did there are some educational websites in this regard.

[Linda]

I am very interested in the Hepatitis B vaccine causing neuropathies?? please tell me where the web sites are?
thanks!

[Julianne Collins]

Even if you leave in an area where Lyme disease is not very common, consider it as a possibility.  Go to Lymenet (http://www.lymenet.org) for more information and to find a support group in your state.  

Here is a list of CDC reported cases of Lyme disease by state http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/Ldss2_aug99.htm.

This link that explains some of the tests for Lyme disease:  http://www.igenex.com/lymeset1.htm.  Keep in mind that the
tests are not real reliable as stated by the FDA (http://www.fda.gov/medbull/summer99/Lyme.html).

I hope she gets to feeling better.

Julianne Collins
Lyme Disease Support Group of AL
http://julianneSC.tripod.com/lyme.html