Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
transient paresthesias and symptoms
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
transient paresthesias and symptoms
by Wodrow-Meks, Feb 05, 1999 12:00AM
I had a meningioma about 9x3.5 cm inside the left frontal lobe and in the
middle of the hemispheres of the brain (they were spread apart in the MRI) and a
hemangioblastoma in the floor of the cranium (where the olfactory nerve is)
removed in feb of 1992. The entire hemangioblastoma was removed along with part of my b
brain including the left olfactory nerve, it was in close proximity to the optic nerve
also, and only the bulk of the meningioma was removed. He said it wasn't worth the risk,
removing all of the meningioma. I had the meningioma for at least 14 years he said.
Now I am in college and was doing well until about 3-4 months ago i would notice that when
going to bed and in the morning that my hands from the middle towards the little finger would
be numb and so weak i could barely move my fingers. Soon afterwards it spread
from my biceps down throughout my entire hand. My legs are weak and sometimes
I fall when just standing. Usually when i start to move, i lose my balance
and fall. It is like i don't know where to put my hands or feet and I can't
prevent the fall even though there are things I could hold on to I can't
seem to orient myself to grasp them to prevent the fall. My arms and hands
feel numb and weak. The right arm and hand is worse.
Lately the paresthesia occurs during the day and sometimes I can't light a lighter
or turn the key in my car with my right hand.
I read that a tumor only effects one side of your body this seems to nail both sides.
I am also troubled that the problem can dissappear for days and then come back.
For this reason I think it must be a panic attack or that i am a hypochrondriac.
The psychiatrist said it was neurological. The neurologist had an mri done and
they didn't send them to him so I have to wait. I have to get blood work and
an EEG, and EMG, done on the 8th.
Am I crazy or or is it MS or a brain tumor?
Does a reccurence of a brain tumor have to be in the same location as the
one left in or the site of the one taken out?
I am sorry to take so much space. Thank you for any input you may give me.
Dear Woodrow,
The answer to your question probably lies in the results of the MRI. Since you were previously diagnosed with brain tumors, and since one of them was removed only partially, a recurrence of brain tumor, possibly of your meningioma, is a plausible hypothesis. Although recurrent brain tumors can occur in different locations, a meningioma which is not totally removed can grow again from the residual tissue left in place. You are right, symptoms due to brain tumors involve usually one side of the body. However, bilateral symptoms can be seen, for example when the tumor is located between the hemispheres. The EEG will help to determine if your symptoms can be related to partial seizures, which could explain that they are intermittent. Although MS can produce intermittent symptoms, I would consider this diagnosis unlikely at this point. And I would certainly not attribute your symptoms to a psychological problem without eliminating all potential organic causes with the appropriate tests, as your neurologist did.
