What is happening to me?

[goodgal31]

Thank you in advance for your time.  Ive been experiencing several things and im hoping maybe you might help.  I see a neurologist in 3 weeks but the wait is kiling me.  

I started with an odd tingle in my leg from the buttox to the foot, not a pain, more like a circualtion tingle.  This presented itself about 2 months ago and has not really left, it comes and goes thoughout the day.  AFter this and reading alot on MS and other disorders I started geting twitches in my calfs, as soon as I wake, they start up and go on and off all day.  Also other parts of my body get mild little twitches.  I get an odd sensation on my skin, all over my body like its tingly, at times my arms and legs feel heavy, all equally, not one limb over the other. I get complete facial parethis that comes and goes thoughout the day. So far all brain x-rays etc have been normal as blood workups on my thyroid and to check for Leukemia etc.

After reading about all the different diseased I might have, im terrified now.  From ALS to MS to other myelin disorsers, im convinced im in bad shape.  I hear with MS its not common to have sensations all over the entire body, oh and also let me add within 3 months nothing has passed, its been continuous, of course if I have MS, i would have the worst possible form!  Is there any information you can give me before my Drs appointment in 3 weeks?  Thank you so much.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear GAT:

By definition, MS is a relasping and remitting disease.  It would be highly unusual for there not to be relapsing and remitting symptoms without profound continuing symptoms that would include motor function losses.  ALS would also produce muscle changes, especially since your gaining areas of your body that are having parasthesias (tingling).  It is always possible, but at this point very unlikely that you have either of these two diseases.  There are many reasons for muscle twitches, from polyneuropathies to the unknown.  What you describe is likely from the category of benign fasciculations since your only symptoms are muscle twitches and parasthesias.  But, since I can't examine you, this is only a guess.  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[gat]

Dear CCF Neuro MD,

I really dont have any muscle weakness.. I can walk on my toes, on my heals with no problems.  I can do jumping jacks etc.  But I am physically tired and the twitching is bothersome.  Its all around but not every minute of the day, comes and goes throughout.  I just dont feel right.  Does ALS twitching rapidly progress? Im hoping maybe I contracted some virus that needs to run its course.

Dr, do you work at the Cleveland Clinic and would it be possible to get in with you directly?  your one of the few who take the time to listen, plus you truly know your stuff.  Thank you!

[CCF Neuro[P] MD,RPS]

Dear GAT:

Again, I do not think that you have ALS.  Yes, I work at the Cleveland Clinic.  You can make an appointment with any of our neurologist by calling 1-800-CCF-CARE.  Unfortunately, I am currently not taking any new patients as my schedule is booked up for the next 6-8 months.

CCF Neuro MD

[NANSEY5]

I have a burning feeling in my leg its been going on for about a month starts at the top of the leg and shots down it feels like  my leg is on fire

[Harriet Scharneck]

I'm 57 and have been on hrt since I'm 50. I started bleeding off and on for 3 years. I had a d and c three years ago . The doctors have said to continue the pills. I have had a sonagram and I stopped the pills 4 days ago. I am still bleeding. What could be the cause besides cancer?

[Lee]

I am 39 years. I have been having symtoms, on & off for 5 years. These are tingling, numbness, burning in legs and arms, facial pain, weak RT leg, fatigue entire body, blurred vision and cramping in legs. I have had 2 MRI's, both normal. Although a mild Arnold Chiari was found. Both my mother and sister have MS. My question is, could my symtoms be from the ACM even though it is a mild form, or could I be in the prodomal stage of MS. I am seeking a second opinion. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Gat - follow up Dr]

Dear Dr,

Well this past weekend I landed in the ER with complete facial nubmness (I could feel touch but it was deffinatly numb)  My right leg had the same sensation on the skin, and  it even spread to my back.  I told the Er Dr that I had a normal Cat scan and MRI one month back, he said highly unlikely MS with total facial numbness and no real noted muscle weakness (YET)

After alot of internet research, I found that there are several other things that can cause this type of sensation.  Besides this episode, im a very healthy female, age 31.  FYI I suffered a miscariage at 4 months of preg, my water broke, it was unexlplined, and also I had preterm labor with my last pregnancy and was on brethine.  IM miffed as the Dr in the ER, and my     internist.  I see a neuro in 3 weeks, I would imagine he will do  the  works on me to test... but WHAT in the world can this be?  Out of all of your years of experience have you heard anything like this?  I've read from Gulliane Barr - but its been 3 months off oddities and im not paralized yet.. down to peripheral disorders.. scarey as hell (pardon my expression)  Im on Xanax,  I got it from the ER, my other Dr did not think I needed it considering I was almost hyperventilating in his office.. I hate this, I hate feeling bad, if its all in my head the Xanax does not take it away.

I've been under tremendous stressfull events 2 years back and was healthy as a horse.  Im just so confused.  What might your professional oppinion be on this?  Sorry for the lenght, I just cant find any real helpfull info.

GAT

[peggy]

my husband has been seeking an answer for all of his many symptoms and has been to many different specialist but no real answers. he has urinary problems, constipation, bloating, dizziness like he will pass out, impotence, sleep apnea, fatigue, headaches, aches in shoulder and neck, doesn't sweat,and vision problems with blurred vision. he has been to urologist, gastrointerologist, neurologist, ear, nose, and throat specialist, and his cardiologist. he failed the tilt table test, was told he had neurally mediated syncope, and the neurologist is treating him for severe sleep apnea, but they can't find any reason for his other problems, even suggested it might be in his head because he is a healthy man. the meds for the syncopy have helped some but he still has the dizziness at times. the c-pap helps some, but his sinus problems keep him from using it sometimes. he has had his heart, bowels, urinary tract and prostate, ears, eyes, sinus, mri on his brain, skull xray, and much blood work done, but no one finds a reason for him feeling so bad.  his symptoms appear to be his autonomic system failing somehow, but what and who do we go see to get an answer?

[Elsie Quintin]

Every night sence i was forty four years old I have been jerking for about two hours or untill I get up and walk it off . Then I keep going back to bed off and on  until the jerking stops. Some times rubbing the small of my back stops it. I have been tested by several Neuroligist, they say nothing shows up . My legs just jurk and they say it is not life threatning? I have been having these leg jerks for abbout twenty years. I am now getting back aches after the leg jerking . I am taking asprin. I just started the asprin three days ago. My Docter perscribed klonipin ninteen years ago. I take one milligrahm at bed time. It does not stop the leg jerking. They seem to think it is emotional ,because nothing shows up in any of the cat scans or eeg. I would like to know what to do because my legs are getting smallspider veins from the jerking, and my back is hurting from the nightly jerking. Will I need to take asperin with the klonipin or encress the klonipin till I feel sleepy but it dosen't stop the jerking. Nothing is stopping the jerking ,and I am afraid that time is causing my legs and back to give out. I am now sixty four years old and have still not been given a name for this problem. It was suggested that it may be nockternal myclonis, but one Dr . just said he would call it " jerky lady". One suggested restless leg syndrome. Please can you enlighten me to what it is, and if there is any help for me?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Elsie Quintin:

I am not sure if I can help you.  Restless leg syndrome is always a possibility, but I think you would have described it as having the feeling that you have to move that leg, and you then move it. It sounds like the leg just jerks on it own.  If it the former, then a trial of tegretol or dopa agonist would correct the problem.  If it is the latter, then maybe another type of benzodiazepine might help.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Elsie Quintin]

CCF Neuro MD, Thank you for you response.  I have tryed a variety of other medications.  I have had eather adverse or allergenic reations to most.  I take one 1MG of clonazapam at bedtime and 80MG of Diovan in the morning for my blood presure.
My present Doctor has given me the ok to take another pill eather in the early evening or if I wake up at night.  I am affraid of taking too much medication and taking medication too close together.  I would like to know if you have any opinion on this. Thank you for your time.

[debbie]

The above comments prompted my reply. I am a 45 yr old female. For the past 3-4 years I have had chronic muscle pain. In the past few months I have been loosing my balance and notice a "clumsy walk" I also have bouts of bruising for no apparent reason. The bruises appear on the insides of my arms and on the sides of my torso. I have also developed a tremor in my hands and at times have slurred speech. The medications I take are Synthroid and Glucophage (for high triglicerides (triglycerides))
Any input and/or suggestions would be much appreciated.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Debbie:

I think I would see a neurologist and get a good going over.  There are a number of things that can give you symptoms as you describe.  A good neurological exam will help the doctor localize a potential etiologies and then he/she can order the correct tests to further evaluate what is causing your symptoms.  The things you can do to help, is to remember to take all your previous workup lab data and any neuro imaging you might have (CT, MRI).

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Kimberly]

I am a 29 year old healthy individual.  I will try to keep this short as possible.  I had otosceloris in my right ear. I had surgery to replace the bone with a teflon prothesis.  While I was still in post-op: it felt as something was in my right eye.  By the next day, my eye was red and the lid began to swell.  By the next day, my eye was swelled shut and the tissue was protruding out of my eyelid.  Went to opthomoligist, he said it was the worst case of viral conjunctivitis he had seen in his 20 years.  He prescribed an antibiotic and steriods.  Seven days later, I felt my forehead going numb.  Then my cheek, lips, tongue.  Then my neck, back of my head followed by my arm (This was all left sided).  My head also lays to the left.  It is very difficult to hold it straight up.  I had and still have slurred speech, left sided weakness, numbness, and pain.  I have been admitted to the hospital 6 or 7 times and have many tests done including:
MRI,EEG,EKG,EMG,Spinal Tap, Nerve conduction tests, and labs (about 30 tubes of blood so far!) I have not been able to work since Sept. 99 due to this. I have seen 4 neurologists and all come up with the same conclusion Atypical Guillian Barre'.  But this keeps coming back.  I have had at least 9 or 10 of these episodes.  It starts to get a little better but comes right back.  I'm sorry they did find a pinched nerve in my elbow.  But it has been seven months and it is no better.  I am now taking amitriptylin 50mg at bedtime-Antivert 25 mg-3 times a day.  I also get very dizzy and feel confused sometimes.  I also feel very tired, like I have been working out all day.  In which case I haven't.  When the onset comes on I have a lowgrade fever for a couple of weeks (99.2-99.9).  But last week went to PCP had a fever of 101.4 and no cold or flu symptons.  I just felt very tired and dizzy.  I am supposed to be going to Shands Medical Center of Gainesville this month to another neurologist.  I thought maybe you could help.  I have done alot of research on MS but spinal showed negative.  My face went numb and is dropping again today with burning behind my mastiod bone and the base of the skull(dead in the middle-where spinal cord starts).  I am a mother of three children (11,8,5).  I have always been very energetic with them such as; playing ball,riding bikes, cheerleading (coaching) and just having fun.  I am now unable to do all of these things with them.  I just want to return back to where I was.  Having fun and raising children and working a 40 or 50 hour week.  I feel as if no one will find out what is wrong with me.  If you could please help, it would be appreciated.  God Bless everyone.  Thank you for your help.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kimberly:

I am very sorry to hear about all your problems.  I am not sure what is meant by atypical GBS? do your doctors mean chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)?  The treatment for the latter is either IVIg or steroids.  The usual treatment for GBS is either IVIg or plasmaphoresis.  Since I have not seen the lab results or done the neurological exam, I am at a disadvantage in trying to help you.  Since you received neither of the medication regiments for GBS or CIDP I am concerned about the diagnosis.  I hope that your visit to Gainesville will be more productive.

Sorry, I am not much help.

CCF Neuro MD

[lori]

I am a 40 yr. old housewife, for the past 3 yr. I get soreness
in my joints the doc says it is tendonnicist (spelled wrong)any way last month it was my knee now it is in my elbow. Also I can not do anything with my hands like washing windows,raking ect.    My fingers cramp up and realy hurt bad.I have bony like thing on my fingers.Right down below the joint.I have had EEG.
normal!!! I hurt at night,arms fall asleep,Please Help!!