Just accept neuroapthy or look for answers

[Ndobbins]

I have been told that I have idiopathic neuroapthy in my feet & legs & that 90% of people who have it never find out the cause.  Is this an acceptable answer from my neurologist or do I need to seek other medical advice.  

I am not diabetic & do not have a thyroid condition. I have had a Vitamin B-12 definiciency & take shots for that. I was exposed to mercury as a child. We would hold it in our hands & play with it & I also had filings with it which have since been removed.

First MRI (foour years ago) showed lesions suspect for MS, second six months later no change. Spinal tap then was negative for MS & no other diseases showed. Recent MRI showed changes but the neuro said she didn't think MS. She did however order another spinal which was again negative. I have slurred speech intermittently, muscle cramps, pins & needles, numbness in toes & a buzzing under right foot & inside head.. Also creepy crawlers under skin on hands & legs at times.

What do you recommend I do now? Saw a rheumotologist who thinks I have fibro. I don't have pain everyday like the description for it.  

Thanks,
Nancy

[Ndobbins]

Yes, your response is a lot of help!

I'm 52 & started having odd headaches around 48. I had migraines for several years & knew it wasn't migraine. Slurred speech was very bad then too & some balance issues. That is when I had the first MRI that showed lesions suspicious of MS. Went to a neuro who thought it was migraines.

About a year and half ago the numbness started in my left foot with the occasional pins & needles. Then the right foot started having some numbness in my toes & then the buzzing under it that made me feel like I am sliding. Poor balance at times & it's difficult to walk. This started the first of August this year. I feel numb & stiffness on top of that foot & up the front of my leg at times too.

My head will have jolts of pain at times & an electrical buzzing feeling in it.

I also started in February of this year having a intermittent squeezing band inside of my stomach
that goes around into my back. It is very painful.

I have gone to a new neuro & she told me she doesn't know what is causing it but come back in December.

Thanks again for any suggestions.

Did you go to a MS Clinic?

Take care,
Nancy

[tjj3761]

Hello,

Sorry to hear about all your symptoms.

I am not sure how long you have been living with all of your symptoms, but I certainly would seek another opinion from a neurologist.

If it was fibromyalgia, you would have many, many tender points all over your body and would not be able to stand to be touched in these areas.

I myself over the past 7 years had sought several different MS specialist opinions in which they all said no MS at that time.  I finally went back to my original neurologist who now after these 7 years finally told me I had MS, but uncertain as to which type.  He had told me 7 years ago it was stress, but I knew better.

MS is a diagnosis of exclusion and can take many years for some my neurologist told me.

I do not know what if any medications you are on, but Lyrica or Neurontin are excellent in helping the paresthesias in your body.  Lyrica is 6 times stronger than Neurontin, but I had such great success with the Neurontin, I did not wish to change medications.

I hope this has been of some help....feel better!

terri