many ssymptoms

[mamie]

Hello, I am a 30 yr old female worried about MS. In november of 2000 I had asthmatic bronchitis and have had many symptoms since then. The most worrisome being Bells Palsy in Feb. 01. During the 1 month period of Bell's palsy my arms and legs felt heavy and tired. I was also tired, then the twitching of all muscles started. This comes and goes from day to day. I had a CT scan done of the brain which came back fine. I had routine blood tests done, all fine. I visited a neurologist and he did an office exam, everything was fine. I told him I had tingling in my hands, feet, and face, thinks it is due to anxiety. My mothers half-sister died of MS related complications during this time and my symptoms seemeed to worsen. Could this be MS, post viral or anxiety?  any advice would be appreciated. Thank-you, Amy

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

There are a handful of case reports that describe Bell's palsy or a similar kind of facial weakness preceding the diagnosis of MS by a few months to 2-3 years. Unfortunately, a CT head is not adequate for looking at the brain for MS. The diagnosis of MS is a clinical one that is based on MRI findings, clinical exam and history, and spinal tap findings. You've had little workup so all I can say is that you may be at a slightly higher risk for developing MS than the general population as you have a family history and focal neurological syndrome as a young female. Anxiety may also be playing a role, but before chalking all this up to stress I would consider getting an MRI brain. Talk to your neuro doc and see what he/she thinks. Best of luck to you.

[Adrienne]

another thing to check into might be lyme disease, i can cause bell's palsy and alot of your other symptoms- some people show neg on lyme blood work but it can also be found in spinal tap and urine, many new tests for it. ask your dr.