Bilateral pain?

[goldengirly]

Is it common to have excruciating full body paresthesia/nerve pain on first attack? It is my understanding that it's normally one sided...

[Maks322]

No, I have had only MRI of my brain and my neck, no spine.  I will bring it up to my MS referral on Tuesday.  What are your other symptoms?

Thanks

[hbananas]

Bilateral symptoms are more common in transverse myelitis than in MS.  Have you had spinal cord MRIs yet?  (Cervical and thoracic.)  The character of the lesions is usually a little different.  With TM you have a single large lesion that spans more than two vertabrae, and plenty of inflammation.  Thoracic is more common than cervical.

With MS, lesions are smaller, more likele to be on the sides or back of the cord (rather than central), usually more than one, usually cervical, and there isn't as much inflammation.

My current diagnosis is TM, but I have elements of both.  My stumbling block is dissemination in time.

[Maks322]

Had started the clonazepam. Couldn't focus, and therefore couldn't work while taking it.  Therefore couldn't take it.  He had prescribed it for the internal tremors.

[supermum_ms]

UM? you've got "Talked to dr, started clonazepam." on your profile page so i've assumed you;d only just started taking it (sept), if not scrap my comments regarding that drug :o)

Yes, its less likely MS, not impossible though!

Cheers.....JJ

ps if you have any more questions please start a new thread, ta  

[Maks322]

Hi JJ,
I am not on anything except Neurontin and Pyridstigmin (for the possible MG).  My question is because both my legs are so painful, and not just one, does that make whatever this is less likely to be MS?  Both arms are numb and tingling, but they feel better after my IV steroid.  It didn't help my legs, Neurontin helps, but It makes me feel like I'm in a fog

Maureen

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

No - to experience "excruciating full body paresthesia/nerve pain on first attack" is untypical of MS in general but a first attack would be very very unusual, basically anything full body is a red flag with MS because its more commonly found in other conditions.

Cheers........JJ

[supermum_ms]

Maureen, if anything new has started or if anything has gotten worse since you began taking clonazapan, please speak to your dr because that drug may not be right for you, worsening instead of helping, it can happen with these class of drugs.

Cheers......JJ

[Maks322]

I always wondered thsm the bi lateral pain.  My pain is also bi lateral.  I go next week to a MS specialist for a second opinion.  My other symptoms are droopy eye, numbness both arms, pain and numbness both legs, dysphagia ( I have lost 20lbs in 5 months), forgetfulness, insides twitch so much, I feel I could jump out of my skin, I have 2 possibly 3 lesions on contracted MRI, I have 5 o-bands.  I just do not feel like I know who I am any more   Thoughts?  Could it be MS? Was tested for myasthenia gravis, test was negative, same for Lyme.  Being tested for myasthenia gravis with MuSK antibodies - awaiting results.  Had all the tests.  Thoughts?
Maureen

[goldengirly]

I really hope so but my respiratory professor believes there's a neuromuscular cause :(

[SarahL2491]

perhaps a pinched nerve?

[goldengirly]

Thanks Sarah. Yes, that is what I thought.

I am trying to work out what else would have caused the strange episode of full body nerve pain/numbness, and also left me with (confirmed) respiratory muscle weakness... I'm convinced it has to be related...I can't be that unlucky?!

[SarahL2491]

have you ran this past your neuro?  he may want to send you to a rheumatologist since this is bilateral.

yes, USUALLY, it affects one side or the other.