Could it be ms?

[AoDvA0809]

Hello,  
I am finally seeing a neurologist this week after being sick for months.  No one has any real ideas what's wrong so fat,  first they suspected diabetes but my glucose is fine and I have progressively developed more symptoms.  

There are so many symptoms they seem to cross into so many areas and I have a lot of clean blood work.  The two I can't seen to link to anything in my impatience while waiting for a Dr is this disgusting taste in my mouth it's sorta sweet like flat soda but if my glucose  is fine it's not diabetes,  could that be ms?  I had symptoms my primary  care Dr thought could be ms so I figured couldn't hurt to ask.

The second thing symptom I can't link to anything I feel I may have is hallucinations.  Mostly smells.  I will be driving through a mountain or hiking  up one where you can't possibly  be cooking and suddenly  I smell the most fragrant buttered corn on the cob or mashed potatoes cooking while I'm snorkeling in the ocean.  I woke up from another feeling of falling in my sleep and went to the restroom and thought I was chasing my cat out so I could close the door (lights out)  woke my child who informed me I needed rest there is no cat all the while I still see the shadow of the cat...

Clearly none of you are drs.  I just can't find online if this could be related to any specific neuro  disease and Ms and a few other things were loosely  thrown at me.  I don't want to go to the specialist as a blank slate.  Thanks and merry Christmas /happy holidays.  

[jensequitur]

Speaking personally I had phantom smells - never anything pleasant. It was some sort of moldy wet burning paper smell.

I had a bunch of symptoms, many of which resemble what you're going through. They didn't all happen at the same time, but the burning sensations, the tremors, the confusion, the electric shock sensations - I've had all those.

It could be a good idea or a bad idea to talk about the sensory problems, depending upon the neurologist you're seeing, You're going to have to make that call. I couldn't get my regular neurologist to even have an opinion on my full-torso myoclonus. It wasn't until I saw a specialist that I began to receive medication to control it.

[AoDvA0809]

Thank you for the advice

[essdipity]

Please see this very old thread about scurrying things, etc.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Little-Mouse/show/401328

There are other old threads on this general subject, also on taste and smell distortions. Use the magnifying glass icon at the top to search on whatever terms you'd like.

I agree that a lot of what you report could be neurological in origin, especially if it's on one side only. However, anxiety can and does cause a great many physical symptoms, including (and especially) pins and needles, plus numbness, tremor, etc. I'm not at all saying that's true of you, just cautioning you that neuros hear these things a lot, and are likely to be dismissive unless they find abnormalities on physical exam. It's hard to be taken seriously when symptoms are sensory only. Many doctors have an 'If I can't see it, you don't have it' attitude.

ess
ess

[AoDvA0809]

I didn't tell my primary Dr about the smell or cat deal for the same reason,  I felt he would feel I was crazy but it is noted I can't get rid of this sudden taste,  which I have first seen a dentist for and they don't know what it is.  I do actually have anxiety which is treated but it wouldn't account for the muscle issues and the feelings of electric shock in the right side of my body,  the pins and needles,  the burning sensations,  numb tongue, obvious limp that comes and goes and full body tremors and so much more.  The only thing I could possibly lyrics think that anxiety could account for is the twitching right eye (most symptoms start or are continually on right side) that lasts for hours, heart palpitations,  or the headaches.  But I did not experience that until after the muscle issues and sensation problems.  I'm also suffering from bouts of confusion I've never had that with anxiety.  I don't believe I will tell specialist  about Phantom  cat or smells however,  thanks.    

[tschock]

I'll try and help you.
First off, strange tastes can be caused by many different things.
Dental hygiene, acid reflux, sinus infections, and many others.
Secondly, phantom smells can also be caused by many things...sinus infection, nothing at all ( yes, nothing at all...many people have phantom smells for no apparent reason. I smell melting crayons on cold days when I step outside.) people having a stroke sometimes smell burned toast.
Again, there are many reasons why you could have phantom smells.
As for the "cat" episode...this leads me to believe that it could be narcolepsy ( a sleeping disorder ) possible onset of alzheimer's, or that you are having hallucinations due to medication or illegal drugs.
Did you know that cough medicines can cause hallucinations in some people?
I hope this helped to some degree.

[essdipity]

Hi there. While it is within the realm of possibility that off-tastes and phantom smells could result from MS, I think I'm safe in saying that these would much more likely be caused by other disorders, especially the taste part.

You are soon seeing a neuro, so he or she will evaluate your neurological function through a complete exam (I hope). This involves muscle strength tests, reflexes, eye tracking, walking, balance, ability to feel various sensations, and a couple more that I'm not remembering at the moment. Such testing will tell your doctor much more than any lab work can do. You will also have the opportunity to describe the symptoms that led to the office visit. Leave the taste and smell things for last if you mention them at all. And don't use the word 'hallucinations.' I know what you mean, but that could be a red flag for the doctor.

Then, depending on all of this, more tests might be ordered, particularly MRI of the brain and c-spine, possibly t-spine as well. There are other tests down the line that may be done if necessary. Or, on the basis of the exam, the doctor may tell you that you do not have neurological issues, or that if you do, they are not likely to be MS.

Be sure to take with you the results of all testing thus far. That will save time and possibly money as well. Also, make sure you don't mention to the neuro what disease(s)/disorder(s) you suspect. That could lead him or her to conclude you have psych problems, anxiety or some kind of perseveration that will only muddy the waters if you don't have those issues.

As you will be seeing the doctor soon, try to put this out of your mind and thoughts as much as possible. You need some facts, and are on your way to getting them.

Good luck.
ess