Tingling on left hand and leg

[tinglyjen]

I am a 33 year old female in otherwise good health.  In July I experienced a tingly and slightly numbish feel to my left hand and lower left leg/toes. The feeling was continous.  I became extremely anxious and upset about it(I am a worrier) CONVINCED myself I had MS (no family history).  Went to the Doctor, put me on Zoloft for anxiety.  I do think that I have anxiety about health related issues.  After a few weeks on Zoloft, the tingling persisted so I went back to Doctor who then ordered blood work (vit B, thyroid ETC>>>)  all normal.  I then had an MRI of head w/o contrast- was normal, and then went to a neurologist who did physical exam/test- All normal there too.  I then had an MRI of cervical spine w/o contrast that was normal also.  The tingling seemed to get better after about a month, but I still feel the tingling when I am sitting or standing still, however it is less than it was at the beginning.  I also had some slight muscle twitching and my hands seem to fall asleep if I have them bent while sleeping. I sometimes feel like I can't relax my leg and arm, kind of a tense feeling, and I move my legs (rub them together) alot while trying to  get to sleep. No weakness or trouble walking or doing anything.  However sometimes I feel a little weak (but think I am just kind of imagining it)  Could all of this be from anxiety?  Could anxiety possibly cause only symptoms on my left arm/hand and left lef/foot?  Could this be early MS?  Thanks so much

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

Unfortunately I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet, and your may be one of those cases where time will tell the answer.

While you are in an age group/gender where MS can typically present, you do not qualify for any diagnosis of MS as you have had just one set of symptoms. An event in MS usually starts to resolves after a few days up to a month. A more progressive disorder, or one that is persistent (like a pinched nerve in teh neck) will  not follow this pattern. It will be important ot follow up over time with your neurologist, especially if recurrent symptoms occur. Other tests like visual evoked responses, and spinal fluid analysis can give evidence of MS also.

Other common alternatives might be migraine, pinched nerves, or sometimes stress (Although other causes need to be excluded). The fact that your MRIs are negative is encouraging, and this would suggest that you are less likely to have a recurrent events. Even if it is MS, the fact that the symptoms are snesory, you are female, and the MRI is negative would suggest a mild form of the disease.

Good luck

[Aneeley]

I hope you get an answer to this because I have the same thing going on. Though I'm not sure about the results of my MRI yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be fine. But I don't feel fine. I can't understand how/why I would be "faking" symptoms like tremor in one hand, vertigo that lasted 2 hours, muscle twitches and tightening. It just doesn't make sense. I wasn't worried about those type of things until they got really bad and I'm only 32. They keep telling me it's migraines but that's just not a good enough answer for me, it's like the catchall. We don't know what it is so it's got to be your migraines. I've never felt this messed up in my life and I've had migraines for 12 years and now I start showing weird symptoms. I don't buy.

Anyway, I'm sympathazing with you and letting you know you're not alone. And I hope you get a good answer.

Annette

[ramonaj]

I just wanted to wish both of you good luck in your search for a diagnosis.  Neurological issues are often so very hard to diagnose and it can take a good long while.  I have an appointment this Friday with a new doc, the fifth NEW one since the first of July.  

Aside from that, I have been having various tests done for years, with no definte diagnosis.  Possible MS, possible autoimmune encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy...

It is a hard road, not knowing.  We just want a name and to have some kind of idea of what to expect in the future.  

Blessings
Ramona

[SherryDenice]

TinglyJen:

I am 33 also and have been suffering from "burning sensations" for the past 3 1/2 yrs.  I am also on Zoloft.  The Zoloft pretty much aleviates my burning.  WEIRD HUH?  I can't figure it all out!  I have had blood work, MRIs, neuro exams, EMGs... you name it.  They say I'm fine!  

And, actually, today I feel pretty good for the first time in 2 months!  

You sound so much like me!  I almost thought that I posted this!!!  LOL!  The whole "health anxiety" issue is totally me!

I have been contending w/ this stuff for 3 1/2 yrs and the only answer I have is anxiety so maybe it is ANXIETY!  I do know that the Zoloft makes a world of difference.  When I get off it... my symptoms come back.  

Good luck!!!

Sherry

[lchelsemom]

Everybody should have B12 test done.  B12 deficiency mimics symptoms of MS.  I should know since I was diagnosed with MS.  Years later a very thorough Dr. said it didn't sound like MS and he did a B12 test which was way below normal.  B12 deficiency can cause the symptoms all of you describe.  Without B12 in your system, you can become just as debilitated as MS.  I get monthly injections of B12 and will for rest of life but well worth it.

Please check this out- it is so simple.  Many Dr.'s are not very knowledgable about B12 so you might want to do some research.

Hope this helps.

[SherryDenice]

I just started on a 1000 mg B-12 a little over a week ago as well as started taking prenatal vitamins because they are good as well.  I always have low iron and I hear that the prenatals are good for that.

I have been feeling better since starting the B-12s.  I had my B-12 tested in 2003 and it was fine but, it could have changed since then.

Thanks.

[ang4188]

Hi,  it sounds like there are so many of us in the same situation.  I am 30 years old have been very healthy, even ran a few marathons, but seven weeks ago my right buttocks went numb. Then my arm, then my leg, I went to the emg. room they did a CT scan and found nothing.  The Dr. there asked if I had any relatives with MS.  I don't, and at that time I knew nothing about MS.  Of course I went home that day, got on-line and now I'm convinced I have MS.  I went to my family doc. told him I have MS, he looked at me like I was crazy & said it was an infection, and gave me something to take.  A week later I go back, things are worse this time. Things are tingling all over, and starting to burn.  The dr. orders an MRI and refers me to a neuro.  The brain MRI is normal.  The neuro exam was normal.  He told me to go home and drink some wine and calm down.  How can I calm down when I know I have MS??? So I tell him I want a cervical MRI.  Done.  And that was normal.  Well the next week I see a different neuro.  I'm convinced the first one did not take my seriously.  The second neuro. sits patiently at his desk watching me have a break down and use his entire box of kleenex as I cry and wail that I have MS and no one believes me.  He does his own exam & finds nothing, he orders some blood work, tells me he thinks its a B-12 def.  Well the bloodwork came back normal.  Since then, I have started taking b-12, just in case.  I went back to my family Dr. & guess what?  I too have been given the miracle drug... Zoloft!  I don't know if it's working, I've only been on it for 5 days.  Sometimes I feel normal but other times, well you know.  I am just going to go with the professionals.  I have not been diagnosed with anything.  That is key.  And they all assure me that these symptoms can be anxiety induced.  I'm going to stick with the Zoloft, B-12, healthy diet,  and stop visiting every web site related to MS that I can find.  I read one site where a guy said his scalp was burning, next day yep! my scalp is burning.  So after this my on-line experience is going to be limited to bill paying & no more self diagnosis.

[bigventsfitz]

Hi all;
     I'm a 45 year old air traffic controller who has been suffering numbness and tingling in my left arm leg and face...later it switched to my right arm.  After a battery of test, an MRI revealed grossly enlarged brain ventricles and a partial blockage of one the the CSF aqueducts...hence NPH(normal pressure hydrocephelus).
     The FAA has since pulled my medical clearance once they learned my neurosurgeon decided that surgery was my best option.  He wants to do a Ventricularperitoneal Shunt...and I'm still a little leary of that instead of the Ventriculostomy option.  Can anybody suggest which way is the best to go?  Thanx

[tinglyjen]

I just read your post, (I am the one that originally posted)  You sound just like me.  When I first noticed the tingling I didn't really think much of it, then I went and looked it up on the internet.  Of Course, MS came up and I immediately panicked.  Literally had a panic attack and could not function for 2 weeks, cried all the time, feeling sorry for myself because I just knew I had MS.  Well Doctor put me on Zoloft, which I probably do need.(like you, I was crying the whole time at the DR)  It has helped, I don't cry anymore, and don't feel as stressed.  It took about 4 weeks to work.  However I still feel the tingling and seem to lately feel a slight hot feeling on leg too.  Have had all tests also, everything fine.  Do have a follow up with the neurologist in Oct.  After reading the reply from the Doctor on this board, I feel worse aout the possibilty of it being MS.. I truly was hoping anxiety was the culprit.  I can easily live with what I have if I knew it wasn't MS. Funny how one day I am fine, and the next it feels as everything is turned upside down.  Have 3 young daughters and am so scared of the possibilty of them getting MS, if indeed that is what I have.  Best of Luck to you

[ang4188]

Hi.  I just read your comment. As you can see I'm not doing to good at my pledge to stay off these websites.  First I love your nickname "tinglyjen" sounds like a rap star.  Anyway, I too have two small children.  One is 2 months and one is 2 years.  All this tingling and crazy stuff started right after my emergency c- section in which I had an epidural.  I thought that was the cause of my inital numb buttocks.  But that went away, and then my arm, leg, face, feet, you name it! Everything has tingled, been numb, or felt like it was burning at one point or another. Am I stressed?? Yeah sure, who isn't?? But I'm not sure that stress is the cause.  I think it's easy for a Dr. to tell a woman it's just stress. Can stress really be responsible for a persistent numb patch on the top of my left foot?? I mean come on! But I'm not a Dr. & I've had 3 Dr.'s tell me that stress can do that.  I think that the neuro's response to your post should actually be reassuring to you.  YOUR MRI'S ARE NEG>!! That's GOOD.  I have read(in my many hours spent researching MS) that only 5-10% of patients with neg. mri's will develop MS.  That's a very low chance. Also both neuros I have seen have told me the same thing and one was a MS specialist. When you have your follow up if you are still worried have more tests done.  Myself, I'm going to see a chiropractor in two days.  Who knows maybe some adjustments will be just what I need.  Good luck to you, I'll include you in my prayers.  Angela

[piper777]

Hi - I am incredibly glad to have found this board!  I am having a complete meltdown at the age of 34.  I had my gall bladder removed a year and a half ago and if I had known that my life as I knew it was going to end that day I would never have had the surgery.  Two weeks after the surgery I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome ( dr says it has nothing to do with surgery - uh - huh ) and have suffered immensely since then and now my left hand, arm and leg/foot are twitching and burning and tingling.  I am completely depressed and don't know if I can even call my doctor because I feel as though he just blows me off and I feel so frightened.  I have just begun therapy to try to deal with the depression / mourning the loss of my freedom and health.  I know that the therapist wants me to try meds and I don't really want to but it seems like you all have had some success with it.  How common is it to develop MS if there is no family history?  Thanks.

[aliciadawn]

I have been having these exact same symptoms!! I was on Zoloft for 10 weeks and have been off of it for 6 weeks, and just started with the tingling numbness in my left lower leg!  My doctor told me he thinks I might have a cyst behind my knee but wasn't sure!!  I need a dr. that's "sure"!!!  I was on Zoloft for anxiety but it caused a lot of "neurological" things that I had never had before.  I'm hoping its just zoloft withdrawal and not something else!!!

[ang4188]

Hi, I was just wandering if you had any neuro symptoms before taking zoloft?  Or as to why you were taking it? I had all the crazy neuro symptoms and then my doctors put me on zoloft.

[aliciadawn]

I didn't have any neuro symptoms that werent tied to the  anxiety that I was having.  I was in the ER for a panic attack on April 1st and had underlying anxiety since.  That's why I was prescribed the zoloft. 25 mg for 4 weeks 50 mg for six weeks.

[plv]

avoid nitrates MSG AND ASPARTAME

[Kerrance]

I thought I was going insane until my partner found this website. 5 weeks ago I started to feel tingling and numbness in my left leg and waht can only be described as a raw patch to the back of my thigh and felt very sensitive. Nothing too bad but by the weekend I didn't really feel like walking very far. By the Monday I was sent home from work with tingling and numbness all down my left side (arm, hand, leg, foot).

The Dr suggested an MRI of my brain and neck but these came back clear. I have seen a neurologist who took blood samples, did a thorough examination, checked eye responses, and referred me for 2 more MRI scans to cover my spine (done last week) and Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (both of which are happening this afternoon). Not looking forward to having fine electrode needles put in my muscles! I will not get these results until 10th November!!!

The numbness and tingling have changed to a very heavy feeling in my left side - I am constantly aware of my left hand side. At night my leg is very restless and it can take a while to get to sleep. I have had sharp sensations running down my arm to my little and ring finger and similar pain on the edge of my foot. The main areas afflicted are my tricep and thigh muscle areas and lately my buttock!

The consultant suggested light exercise - swimming. I went to the pool on Friday and in half an hour only managed 8 lengths (25m) when I used to manage 40! I had to stop after each length and rest and then was afraid I wouldn't have the strength to get out of the pool! If I go out I come home and need a sleep.

My Dr is still hopeful that it is a virus and we may never know what it is. To start with MS looked likely but because the brain MRI showed nothing they are pretty happy that this isn't the case. I haven't been given any drugs to take. I am just sick and tired of the drained feeling I am experiencing all the time and just wish that the constant heavy feeling would go away. I have always been very fit and active and am finding it very difficult to deal with the lack of energy and tiredness. Every now and again I am convinced my right leg is going the same way but I think this is just in my mind!

Kerrance (31 yrs old, UK)

[Connie144]

A related discussion, Slight tremor left hand. Tingley left foot and leg was started.