numbness

[dpettitt]

40 y.o. female. Very healthy until I developed progressive migrating parasthesia 8/1/06. Scary!At same time I was told my cholesterol level had finally dropped below 200 for the first time since 19 y.o (it was orig.in the 500's). It's genetic and creates havoc in the family. I have been on every statin drug since 19 (at one time on 80 mg. liptor, 10mg zetia, 625mg welchol,fish oil, niacin, asa, etc.). My level never dropped below 300. In May I had bought liver cleanse/full system body cleanse @ health food store- started these w/my chol. regime (liptior and zetia) and w/in 8 wks my level dropped in 1/2.
Back to the neuro thing- at the same time I was ecstatic with my chol drop I was also c/o numbness/tingling, patchy cold sensations on extremities and face. MD says its must be MS -see the neuro- performs EMG (some nerve conduction loss in legs/demyelination).."prob. MS". Get MRI of the Brain- NEG! Neuro says take meds??? Not happy..Did research myself. Found site on Chiairi Malformation (interesting-everyone Dx with MS for no other reason..look this up and compare symptoms). I am now 110% convinced that the drop in my lipid/chol levels are resp for my N/T. I have exposed my "electical system". 21 yrs. of statins!! Demyelination is a destruction of the myelin sheath around your electrical (neuro) system like rubber insulation around electical wires. When your wires are exposed you will short circuit. 75-80% of the sheath is made up of lipid/chol. If taking chol meds or have rapid drop in levels with these symptoms try Google "cholesterol & neurological system". Good Luck!!!

[JACKS647]

HI..AFTER HAVING SHINGLES IN SEPT. 2006, WHICH I GOT OVER WITHIN 2 WEEKS...NO PAIN OR ITCHING, JUST A BURNING FEELING AND A SLIGHT BREAKOUT BUT THAT'S ALL.  WELL, AFTER 2 WEEKS I DEVELOPED A TINGLING AND NUMBNESS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE..IT'S ANNOYING AS H---...I'VE HAD AN MRI, CAT SCAN, AND BLOOD TEST AND TOMORROW I'M GOING IN FOR A SPINAL TAP, AND I'M ALSO TAKING LYRICA WHICH DOES'NT REALLY HELP MUCH. MY CHOLESTRAL LEVELS ARE AVERAGE, BUT MY TYGLICERIDES ARE A BIT UP 274..I'M ALSO GOING TO SEE A GP TO CHECK ON THAT..AT ANY RATE, IF THERE'S ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN GIVE ME ANY INSITE, PLEASE HELP.  THANKS

[rfandy]

Very interesting.  I happen to be suffering with numbness across the entire surface of my body and it appears to be getting worse.  It all started about 8 weeks ago when I took a rabies vaccine - while on Liptor!!  My cholesterol had recently dropped 100 points in about a month from 245 to 145.  I wonder of the Lipitor/vaccine mix added up to create an attack on my nerve sheaths thus causing numbness.  All my neuro tests so far have been negative for anything (MRI of brain/C-spine, EMG/NCS) other than confirming there was numbness to needle prik and vibration.  I hope you get to the bottom of your issue.  I continue to search on my end.  More tests and Dr.'s tomorrow.  Regards. PS I stopped the Lipitor until I can figure out what's up.

[young at heart]

Yes,I have had several MRI's lumbar,thoracic.cervical and brain every three months for 2 years.Many of these test were performed at the cleveland clinic by a very good neuro.
Your info is very informing and hope others take the time to read it.

[dpsmartville]

Have you had a MRI of your spine?  CM can also cause SM (syringomyelia).  You can also have SM w/out Chairi.  SM is where a cyst develops within the spine.  This can cause parasthesia, chronic pain and also balance difficulties.  Five years ago I started developing neck pain, numbness in fingers, arm, wrist, migraines w/distorted vision and balance problems  First MRI they though it was MS.  Had MRI w/contrast and was told it was not MS but syringomyelia withou chiari.  You might want to check out the website www.asap.org

[young at heart]

Don't discount MS yet.
Many neuro have prescrebed cholesteral meds for MS to repair the myelin sheaths.I beleive the med of there choice is lipitor.I could not handle it do to I suffer from spacticity and didn't want to take a chance of more cramping.
thats awesome that your cholesteral levels have dropped.
nerve demyelinations can cause extreme pain and numbness,if meds were prescribed try to to take them.Once the demeylination occurs it can continue to other body parts.
Did your MRI report state chiari malformation?This is where the cerebral ectopia drops down and slows the spinal fluid from surrounding the brain.If you had chiari malformation your MRI would of definatly found it.CM will cause similiar neurological symptoms.