can anyone help with this???

[mistylee]

Hi there,

I am due to see my neuro again on monday. Something that has been happening to me for a few months has me stumped and not sure if I should tell the neuro or whether its nothing to worry about.

At night time in the dark or when I close my eyes, I cannot instinctively lift my glass up and find my mouth. I put the glass up but miss my mouth.  Same with touching the tip of my nose etc.. It is really weird as normally you just know exactly where they are. Now I just aim for the area and invaribly miss . For example the glass will hit my lower lip or chin, or my finger will touch beside my nose instead.  I cannot tell if my aim is right untill I feel it on my face.??

What is going on???  Does anyone know why this is happening to me.. I am ok in the daytime or with eyes open.

Mistylee

[supermum_ms]

I'd mention it, and agree with what others have said, this is a good informative piece from the journal of post graduate medicine, helps explain it with out too much medic lingo.

http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2003;volume=49;issue=2;spage=169;epage=72;aulast=khasnis

It basically covers the romberg test from the history through to clinical signs etc, well worth reading.

Cheers.........JJ

[twopack]

Now you've got me wondering if the frequent spillage from the right side of my mouth when drinking is significant.  Maybe it's not just carelessness?  Maybe it's related to the increasing tendency to choke and cough if I try to chug-a-lug or take too big of a swallow?  Hummmmm, I'll have to continue my self-monitoring observations.

Mary

[twopack]

Definitely mention this Mistylee.  I think it is a problem with proprioception.  Did the neuro ever do a test where he had you go back and forth between touching your finger to your nose and then to his moving finger?  Or maybe stretch your arms out to the sides, close your eyes and bring your finger to your nose?  (Cops include this one in a roadside sobriety test so make sure the lights are on!)

Knowledge about where our limbs are in space and in realtion to other body parts is dependent on messages that flow between limbs and the brain via the spinal cord tracts.  You can imagine that lesions anywhere along the line could interfere.

Proprioception problems make it difficult to locate your limbs in space relative to other body parts.  You don't have to get it perfect to be normal but you should be pretty close.  I think you are relying on your sight for clues about position and depth perception to get it right.  Take those cues away and you are missing the mark.

This should be something the neuro can test for easily in the office that can yield measurable objective results (and you know they LOVE that kind of stuff).

Good luck and carry a napkin at all times.
Mary

[rendean]

The name of symptom is dysmetria. I goggled Wikipedia on the subject and it has a decent article. It does say it is common in MS patients.

It is caused by interrupted pathways in the cerebellum where your senses, sight, touch, etc are integrated.

Hope this tidbit helps. Sorry I don't more time to explain it further but at least you have a start.

Ren

[siv1]

hi,
sorry about the symptoms you are having. All I can say is, just tell anything to your DR. hiding it will hurt than help even if you think it is something small.