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Neurology (Expert Forum)
neuro symptoms in teen
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neuro symptoms in teen
by hopeforbest, Dec 26, 2006 12:00AM
Thank you in advance for your help. My daughter is 16. At age 13 she complained of periodic stabbing pains in the muscles in her legs and experienced bouts of extreme fatigue which come and go. This past summer while jogging in the heat, she exp. blurred vision (said it seemed like her eyes were moving back and forth quickly). This happened twice. Two or three times she complained of pain in her eyes when exitng the school building into the sunlight. (Said no pain upon moving eyes.) She has slight tremor in hands that comes and goes, tingling sensation on her back, single hiccups several times a day (loud!), and now over the past 6 mo., I have noticed speech difficulty. This past summer, she got fatigued and nauseated when exercising in heat. Six months ago, she had c-spine and brain MRI with and w/o contrast. It was clear. Her office exam was normal. No further testing was done. Saw opthamologist 3 months ago who said optic nerves looked healthy.
The clencher - her father has MS. His father has Parkinson's. I was thrilled that her MRI was negative but was also shocked. I guess I am convinced that she has MS. I can't imagine what else would be causing these weird symptoms in a young child.
I regret that further testing (LP and evoked potentials) was not performed but am torn between requesting this now as she is feeling better lately and I hate to burden her with it.
Do you think that after 3 yrs. of symptoms, something would have shown by now? Is there a chance that this is something else? Thank you so much for giving of your time!
The clencher - her father has MS. His father has Parkinson's. I was thrilled that her MRI was negative but was also shocked. I guess I am convinced that she has MS. I can't imagine what else would be causing these weird symptoms in a young child.
I regret that further testing (LP and evoked potentials) was not performed but am torn between requesting this now as she is feeling better lately and I hate to burden her with it.
Do you think that after 3 yrs. of symptoms, something would have shown by now? Is there a chance that this is something else? Thank you so much for giving of your time!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jan 23, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms that you describe are not speicific for any disorder, but I think your concern about Multiple Sclerosis (MS)is a valid one. The cause of MS is not known and all the risk factors etc that predict who gets MS are also not well understood. Things we do know is that your location in childhood (0-15) can be coorelated to your risk of developing MS later in life (children that grow up in the northern part of the United States have a higher risk of MS than children who grow up in the southern states). After a patient reaches adulthood there is no increase risk for MS by living in or moving to a more northern location. There is also a risk of MS with a first degree relative who also has MS. Some some studies have suggested a 7 fold increase in risk compared to the background population. The symptoms that you described may or may not be relatd to MS, but it seems less likely at this point given her normal MRI and eye exams. If her symptoms are resolved now, I would suggest a repeat visit to her neurologist in 6months-1 year to evaluate for anything concerning in history and/or exam. If there is continued symptoms then I would suggest a repeat MRI of the brain and cervical spine with GAD contrast. I would only suggest a lumbar puncture and/or visual evoked potentials if the clinical exam and MRIs could not fully answer the question.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe are not speicific for any disorder, but I think your concern about Multiple Sclerosis (MS)is a valid one. The cause of MS is not known and all the risk factors etc that predict who gets MS are also not well understood. Things we do know is that your location in childhood (0-15) can be coorelated to your risk of developing MS later in life (children that grow up in the northern part of the United States have a higher risk of MS than children who grow up in the southern states). After a patient reaches adulthood there is no increase risk for MS by living in or moving to a more northern location. There is also a risk of MS with a first degree relative who also has MS. Some some studies have suggested a 7 fold increase in risk compared to the background population. The symptoms that you described may or may not be relatd to MS, but it seems less likely at this point given her normal MRI and eye exams. If her symptoms are resolved now, I would suggest a repeat visit to her neurologist in 6months-1 year to evaluate for anything concerning in history and/or exam. If there is continued symptoms then I would suggest a repeat MRI of the brain and cervical spine with GAD contrast. I would only suggest a lumbar puncture and/or visual evoked potentials if the clinical exam and MRIs could not fully answer the question.
I hope this has been helpful.
You said.. "I guess I am convinced that she has MS. I can't imagine what else would be causing these weird symptoms in a young child."
From what I understand.. Primetime- ABC Medical Mysteries is doing a special segment on this very topic on January 10, 2007 at 10 PM. Perhaps it will give you some things to consider?
I hope you both are doing better soon. It must be an awful burden to watch your child have all of these symptoms... and no answers.
Sorry no one has responded to your thread. I wish I had something to offer. Hope you are feeling better these days.