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Unsure What To Do???
Hello everyone,
I am 26 y.o. male who began having sx. around mid-march of this year. I went out for St. Patrick's day which was no doubt very taxing on my body since my friends and I were out for a long time. The following week I did not get much time to catch up on my sleep since I had midterms, and during this time my middle finger would flex intermittently. After this I experienced a decrease in visual acuity (unilateral) with a little bit of pain so went to an optometrist and he said everything was fine. I currently have a normal reaction to light but my affected side does dilate more than the other in dim light. Also, since then I have had sinus congestion on this affected side which resolved about 3 weeks ago. Being a physical therapy student, I started making connections of optic neuritis and muscle twitches, then developed paresthesias in all extremities. I experienced panic attacks thinking about it and developed the specific paresthesia of my right pinky finger going cold intermittently. This was what I thought to be anxiety and some ulnar compression at guyon's tunnel because of my posture studying and doing paper work. I also developed some carpal tunnel sx.
Following finals we had a party to celebrate being done, at a specific point I noticed a vibration in right anterior tibialis which I though was anxiety reacting to alcohol, and I again obsessed. The following night this muscle was very irritated. I went to see a couple primary care doc's, blood came back normal, slightly elevated LE DTR's which I have always had, again I thought anxiety was playing a role. One told me it was school stress. I entered my final clinical rotations and experienced another muscle twitch on the opposite hand, some derealization and dizziness without loss of balance. Which I told myself was a new environment and stress, but continued to obsess.
These sx. were all present 3 - 6 weeks. I continued to have non-specific paresthesias. Around Mid July, I experienced continued sx. in the right anterior tib. and some tarsal tunnel sx in both feet, but for the most part felt fine. Also, some vibratory sensation in my right scapular retractors. Recently I just finished up my final doctoral research and began studying for the boards. After a day tailgating for an Ohio State game I noticed right sided weakness (arm & leg), burning in my right shoulder, a band like feeling around my right forearm, and a lump in my throat. I thought this was perceived weakness but I do jog regularly and noticed that I am getting compartment syndrome like sx. in the affected anterior tib. after about 1 mile which I usually have no problem with at least 3. Throughout this time the pinky still feels weird occasionally, I have vibration in the back, and get faciculations. I did go out and go about my typical activities during this whole time, I know drinking was not a good choice but I tried to keep telling myself nothing was going on.
Does this sound like a neuro disorder or am I having every sx. I have read/learned about. I have worked with MS pt's but only in the late, obvious stages. I am really worried if this is a progressive neuro disorder, or I am applying what I know to become a hypochondriac. Neuro was the only thing that scared me through school and it is where I wish to practice.
Right now I am studying for my PT boards, the weakness sx. are improving. I know these sx. are textbook MS, but also could be applied to anxiety. My student insurance runs out next month, and I know how the healthcare system works to an extent, so I am in a bind here. Should I go ahead and follow up with the proper testing to obtain/rule out a diagnosis, or wait a couple months till I have a job as a Physical Therapist and can buy some possible disability insurance before I get branded with a dx., not saying I will even get a dx.
Sorry for typing so much but I am worried about getting labeled with a pre-existing condition before I even get my first job when it is only months away. Also, worried if I am attaching something serious to something that can easily explained through stress/anxiety.
I am 26 y.o. male who began having sx. around mid-march of this year. I went out for St. Patrick's day which was no doubt very taxing on my body since my friends and I were out for a long time. The following week I did not get much time to catch up on my sleep since I had midterms, and during this time my middle finger would flex intermittently. After this I experienced a decrease in visual acuity (unilateral) with a little bit of pain so went to an optometrist and he said everything was fine. I currently have a normal reaction to light but my affected side does dilate more than the other in dim light. Also, since then I have had sinus congestion on this affected side which resolved about 3 weeks ago. Being a physical therapy student, I started making connections of optic neuritis and muscle twitches, then developed paresthesias in all extremities. I experienced panic attacks thinking about it and developed the specific paresthesia of my right pinky finger going cold intermittently. This was what I thought to be anxiety and some ulnar compression at guyon's tunnel because of my posture studying and doing paper work. I also developed some carpal tunnel sx.
Following finals we had a party to celebrate being done, at a specific point I noticed a vibration in right anterior tibialis which I though was anxiety reacting to alcohol, and I again obsessed. The following night this muscle was very irritated. I went to see a couple primary care doc's, blood came back normal, slightly elevated LE DTR's which I have always had, again I thought anxiety was playing a role. One told me it was school stress. I entered my final clinical rotations and experienced another muscle twitch on the opposite hand, some derealization and dizziness without loss of balance. Which I told myself was a new environment and stress, but continued to obsess.
These sx. were all present 3 - 6 weeks. I continued to have non-specific paresthesias. Around Mid July, I experienced continued sx. in the right anterior tib. and some tarsal tunnel sx in both feet, but for the most part felt fine. Also, some vibratory sensation in my right scapular retractors. Recently I just finished up my final doctoral research and began studying for the boards. After a day tailgating for an Ohio State game I noticed right sided weakness (arm & leg), burning in my right shoulder, a band like feeling around my right forearm, and a lump in my throat. I thought this was perceived weakness but I do jog regularly and noticed that I am getting compartment syndrome like sx. in the affected anterior tib. after about 1 mile which I usually have no problem with at least 3. Throughout this time the pinky still feels weird occasionally, I have vibration in the back, and get faciculations. I did go out and go about my typical activities during this whole time, I know drinking was not a good choice but I tried to keep telling myself nothing was going on.
Does this sound like a neuro disorder or am I having every sx. I have read/learned about. I have worked with MS pt's but only in the late, obvious stages. I am really worried if this is a progressive neuro disorder, or I am applying what I know to become a hypochondriac. Neuro was the only thing that scared me through school and it is where I wish to practice.
Right now I am studying for my PT boards, the weakness sx. are improving. I know these sx. are textbook MS, but also could be applied to anxiety. My student insurance runs out next month, and I know how the healthcare system works to an extent, so I am in a bind here. Should I go ahead and follow up with the proper testing to obtain/rule out a diagnosis, or wait a couple months till I have a job as a Physical Therapist and can buy some possible disability insurance before I get branded with a dx., not saying I will even get a dx.
Sorry for typing so much but I am worried about getting labeled with a pre-existing condition before I even get my first job when it is only months away. Also, worried if I am attaching something serious to something that can easily explained through stress/anxiety.
Do you guys think this sounds serious since I do have actual unilateral weakness or should I wait this out to a more secure point a couple months down the road???
Hey Bill -
I don't have much to offer you except to tell you that I am a physical therapist (graduated from MCV 10 years ago) and I can commiserate with you on knowing every symptom and then translating that to your own body.
Here's my story: I started having increased ocular migraines about 1 year ago, so my doc sent me for an MRI. That scan showed "periventricular white matter disease," but I didn't know how much. Naturally, I assumed that I had MS and for a while, had every sx under the sun. Flash forward one year. I came down with optic neuritis and knew this one was not imagined. Long story short, I had a repeat MRI yesterday and some blood work and I am scheduled to get the results this pm. Over the past two weeks, I again have had every symptom, including numbness, tingling, lhermitte's, other paresthesias, weakness, fatigue, Uthoff's syndrome, etc. I honestly couldn't tell you what is real. All I know is that I have seen some patients over the years that scared the living daylights out of me about having MS, and now here I am on the brink of dx. It is not fun knowing too much.
My prayer is that this experience makes me a better clinician because MS was always one of those diagnoses that I tried to avoid.
Good luck on your boards - they are not really that hard!
Katie
I don't have much to offer you except to tell you that I am a physical therapist (graduated from MCV 10 years ago) and I can commiserate with you on knowing every symptom and then translating that to your own body.
Here's my story: I started having increased ocular migraines about 1 year ago, so my doc sent me for an MRI. That scan showed "periventricular white matter disease," but I didn't know how much. Naturally, I assumed that I had MS and for a while, had every sx under the sun. Flash forward one year. I came down with optic neuritis and knew this one was not imagined. Long story short, I had a repeat MRI yesterday and some blood work and I am scheduled to get the results this pm. Over the past two weeks, I again have had every symptom, including numbness, tingling, lhermitte's, other paresthesias, weakness, fatigue, Uthoff's syndrome, etc. I honestly couldn't tell you what is real. All I know is that I have seen some patients over the years that scared the living daylights out of me about having MS, and now here I am on the brink of dx. It is not fun knowing too much.
My prayer is that this experience makes me a better clinician because MS was always one of those diagnoses that I tried to avoid.
Good luck on your boards - they are not really that hard!
Katie
Hi LuLu,
Thank you for the rapid response. After rereading my post I realized that I may made it seem like I have had diagnostic testing. I have only had blood work from my primary care doc, I was wondering if I should seek a referral to a neuro for an opinion, MRI, EMG,....etc.... Or wait till I am at a better financial/insurance situation in a couple months or do so now....
Also, my sx. have mostly presented in a unilateral nature (beside the paresthesia), is that common with stress/anxiety sx???
Thank you for the rapid response. After rereading my post I realized that I may made it seem like I have had diagnostic testing. I have only had blood work from my primary care doc, I was wondering if I should seek a referral to a neuro for an opinion, MRI, EMG,....etc.... Or wait till I am at a better financial/insurance situation in a couple months or do so now....
Also, my sx. have mostly presented in a unilateral nature (beside the paresthesia), is that common with stress/anxiety sx???
Hi Bill, welcome to our group here. Another Buckeye? There are a bunch of us here already.
As I was reading your post, I was very relieved to get to your own self-doubts about taking on the disease of the moment that you are studying. It is only human nature to identify with the subject matter you are studying - it happens all the time.
In any of your coursework did they ever talk about how incredibly noisy the human body can be? When we really stop and listen to our body, the noises and creaks and vibrations can be overwhelming and set off the brain into believing that the body is in distress.
Now you already know I'm not a doctor, or at least now you do! My reaction to everything you have posted is I think it will pass. But if you continue to be worried, by all means see a doctor before your benefits run out. If you are at OSU, they have some of the finest neuros around - perhaps you can get in there to discuss your concerns with someone with more expertise than your neuro.
If it makes you feel any more at ease, we do tend to see a number of med students through here on a regular basis and to my knowledge not one of them has ever come back and said that yes, they actually do have MS.
Good luck with finishing your schooling - especially with your work with MS patients. We need lots of smart, well educated in the disease, PT's.
Please ask any questions you might have - we're here to answer specifics if you have them.
be well, Lulu
As I was reading your post, I was very relieved to get to your own self-doubts about taking on the disease of the moment that you are studying. It is only human nature to identify with the subject matter you are studying - it happens all the time.
In any of your coursework did they ever talk about how incredibly noisy the human body can be? When we really stop and listen to our body, the noises and creaks and vibrations can be overwhelming and set off the brain into believing that the body is in distress.
Now you already know I'm not a doctor, or at least now you do! My reaction to everything you have posted is I think it will pass. But if you continue to be worried, by all means see a doctor before your benefits run out. If you are at OSU, they have some of the finest neuros around - perhaps you can get in there to discuss your concerns with someone with more expertise than your neuro.
If it makes you feel any more at ease, we do tend to see a number of med students through here on a regular basis and to my knowledge not one of them has ever come back and said that yes, they actually do have MS.
Good luck with finishing your schooling - especially with your work with MS patients. We need lots of smart, well educated in the disease, PT's.
Please ask any questions you might have - we're here to answer specifics if you have them.
be well, Lulu
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