Worried about neuro symptoms - any thoughts?

[Flipzoid]

This may well not be connected but about 9-10 months I developed an infected rash on my chin for which my doctor perscribed anti-biotics. I then started experienced pains in the back of my arms (near the elbow) and cramping just below the ribs. I had a blood test for my white blood cell count, mono, and even visited a tropical disease department (I had been in south east asia 10 months ago) and all tests came back fine. However about 3 months ago I started getting pins-and-needles in my hands and arms which was shortly followed by:

- twitching in my left eye lid and lower lid. Went on for 2 weeks non-stop at one point but continues on-and-off daily.
- spasming muscles (all over my body but especially in the legs and bottom of my feet).
- a sort of static like buzzing/vibrating feeling in my legs (very strange feeling)
- pain in the top left hand side of my back
- one ear feels quite blocked (a numb pressure)
- On the upper thigh of both legs I can feel a strange lump under the skin.
- tiredness (maybe caused by feeling down due to the above symptoms)

I am waiting for my referal to a neurologist which I am waiting on the appointment.

These are the freakiest and most unsettling feelings I have ever had. It feels like im part of a David Cronenberg movie with things happening inside my body which I have no control over.

Has anyone had similar symtoms? Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[mrssmr71]

Hi Kathy :
Its strange that you mentioned Chiari Malformation. My middle child (age 14 Boy) has just been recently diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. My youngest child (age 10 girl) was diagnosed in her infant years with Dandy Walker Variant. I am told they are in the same category.
My husbands cranial MRI's do not show any of this. I am at my wits end with going to the neurologist with him and leaving with no dx's.
He is losing more and more of his leg activity as the days go by. My husband has other medical issues such as diabetes, high BP. My son is currently on Periactin 8 mg but still getting Migraines and recently started complaining of stiffness in his joints ( wrist, knees, elbows). Thank you for your info.

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

Infectious rashes are common and can occur from a wide variety of organisms such as viruses, bacteria (strep), Lyme, mycobacteria etc
The other symptoms you describe can also be consistent with for exmaple a viral infection
In this case, a primary neurological disorder is less likely
Drug side effects are also possible - although your symptoms are not typical for mononeuritis multiplex or peripheral neuropathy as mentioned
Antibioitcs are some of the most toxic or side effect prone drugs we have, including foro example the penecillins
However, without antibiotics, countless lives would have been lost to infection

To diagnose whether you have a neurological condition or not, you need a formal neurological examination by a neurologist as you are doing, then appropraite testing with for example nerve conduciton studies or EMG to pick up a nerve or muscle problem. You should continue to follow with your medical doctor as a neurological disorder may not be present, and your symptoms may be due to something else.

Good luck

[giggles4742]

It sounds like your husband is in a lot of debilating pain at a young age, my heart goes out to him as i am 40 and have what they call a Chiari Malformation, it is a rare disorder, but i am wondering if it might be worth you checking it out, the pain you describe, and the Neurologists being un able to find it suggests he might have this disorder, i am enclosing some web sites for you to check out.   www.chiarione.org    and     www.chiari-syringo-news.org    this will give you some information, and if his symptoms seem to match up then you may be on to something, and the only way to find out if he does have this is with an mri of the brain and spine. It's sad but sometimes we have to be our own doctors and do our own investigations. I am 65% disabled now and have had one decompression (brain) surgery, and am going for a second this year, the sad thing is if the doctors would have listened to me three years ago i would have been fine and still been working. My best of luck to you. Kathy

[Flipzoid]

Hi CarlW...

The lump on the left thigh would at times be not very noticable been then other times be more prominant. It went on like this for a while but now is there all the time. Then the lump started developing on the right thigh as well and now is also there all the time. Sure it could be a coincidence and be something perfectly harmless such as fatty build up but they have never been there before and with the other symptoms I suffer from it makes me wonder if its connected. It does seem strange.

Thanks,

Mark

[CarlW]

Hey, if you have a lump in the same place on both thighs, don't you think perhaps those lumps are supposed to be there? Just a thought.

[Flipzoid]

I don't know if this additional information will be of any use but I just remembered that shortly after the symptoms began I developed what was said to be "Molluscum Contagiosum". This was treated using liquid Nitrogen.

I have seen that a fungel infection called "cryptococcal" can mimic molluscum and can also effect the nervous system. But... I don't really know enough about any of these conditions.

Any ideas? Help!