What are these symptoms?

[Amy]

Thank you for this forum.  My symptoms all started in February, migrating numbness and tingling in all extremeties and my back and chest, it comes and goes.  I have been suffering from sinusitis since December, and that has caused my balance to be a little off. My ENT said the balance problem is only temporary but the sinusitus never really goes away.  I have had low grade depression most of my life and have recently been diagnosed with GAD.  I started experiencing anxiety and severe panic attacks in May.  I have had all of the bloodwork done, and a CAT Scan and MRI which were all normal. My legs feel shaky sometimes and my left arm. I am left handed. I also have sore muscles especially in my legs.  I have not noticed any muscle weakness.  Sometimes my legs feel weak but it always clears up later in the day.  Can this all be anxiety related?  I stared taking Paxil 3 weeks ago and this seems to calm the symptoms. I went to the ER in April for what I now know was a panic attack, and was perscribed Ativan, when I took it all of the tingling went away temporarily. I have a hard time believing that this is all anxiety related, even though several Doctors have told me so and a psycologist.  What is your opinion?  Thank you so much.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Amy:

Sorry to hear about all your symptoms.  Diagnosing someone over the internet is difficult.  The good news is that all your lab work and MRI/CT scan have been normal.  That also means that your sinusitis must have resolved (both CT and MRI would have shown a sinusitis).  Migrating symptoms as you describe are usually not neurological in origin, especially when they occur in such a short amount of time.  I think the clue might be that your SSRI medication has helped, and also the ativan you were given for the panic attack also releived the symptoms.  Your symptoms may be from anxiety, so I might agree with the other neurologists.  But, we must be certain that the possible disease causing etiologies are not at play.  But, the labwork and neuroimaging has given a large clue that your symptoms may not be from a particular disease.

CCF Neuro MD

[Amy]

Is there something else I need to be doing?

[Mark]

Hi, I'm Amy's husband and I wondered if there was something the doctors are missing or is all of this anxiety and depression.  She states she just never feels good, for the 13 years I've known her.   Thank you.  She is also going through menopause, and is only 38.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Mark:

I cant't tell over the internet.  I would see your family physician and get a further endocrine workup.

CCF Neuro MD

[Linda]

http://www.algy.com/pdi/BBS/index.html

You might want to read what Dr. Shipko says about panic disorder and GAD at his web site. Read the FAQs-- very enlightening. Good luck!

[Amy]

Thanks Linda!

[Barb (chavis)]

Hi Dr. My question to you is do you think I could have Myantheysia Gravis as I do have Graves disease had an over-active thyroid but now I m hypo and on medication for it daily but it did take them 12 yrs to find out I  thyroid problems as thats what the Endricrioligist told me anyways 12 yrs I had it before being diagnosed and most of the 12 yrs I have also had muscle weakness and am not able to do much these days I try very hard but can't do much because of an arthritis feeling on whatever I'm using,and no one has been able to help me by finding out what is causing this ,and also I swell everyday at the feet area;s thanks

[Amy]

Do you think that this is MS or PN?  I am scared!