MS Symptoms

[stacisongy1226]

I have been having numbness in my feet and calves.  Started out with my toes and feet years ago.  Worked in the catering/photography business (still do photography) for the past 15 years.  Never wore the correct shoes and had terrible foot pain, especially in the balls of my feet.  Then the numbness came on.  My mom passed away six months ago and I have been battling anxiety as well.  Anyway, within the last six months the numbness has gotten worse.  Has moved up into my calves. Bothers me mostly at night.  Had an EMG done and it showed nerve damage and some muscle damage (dr. thinks it has been going on for a while).  I have been freaking out about MS..he said that a person with MS would have a normal EMG and he doesn't think MS is my case.  The last week or so I have freezing ankles and feet (all the time).  He says circulation is fine.  My feet feel swollen, but aren't???  Any suggestions?? Thanks for any help you can offer!!

[stacisongy1226]

Thanks for getting back with me.  No diseases that I know of.  Thyroid and diabetes have been checked and are normal.  Cardiovascular disease, I haven't been checked for.  One thing I am very curious about is this...I am an avid Splenda user, I mean I use alot daily (will admit 30-50 packets daily..tea drinker).  Wondering if that could be causing any of my problems.  Other than the numbness I feel great.  No signs of much muscle loss?  Doctor says next test would be a spinal tap.  Doing the b12 injections right now and he want to give it another month to see if I notice a difference.  Not knowing is driving me nuts!!  Thanks for your concern and I wish you the best as well.  Take care.

[LisaJF]

Welcome to the forums.

I'm sorry to hear of your symptoms and the duration.  I am also sorry to hear of your Mother's passing.  You have my deepest condolences.

EMG is not a diagnostic test that determines MS or evaluates MS. In fact, it would steer away from MS if it came out positive.  Other CNS diseases may cause positive EMG results.  

As far as your feet feeling swollen, I have that sensation as well with my entire left leg (in fact its doing it today along with muscle fasciculations/paresthesias).  Although, my left leg does look a bit larger (not significantly) than the right.  

Your cold feeling in your feet and sensation of "fullness" or "taut skin" in your foot and/or feet is sensory.  Since you do have nerve damage  (according to your doctor and EMG results) then it would explain the sensations.

I was wondering if you do have any cardiovascular disease, thyroid or endocrine (diabetes)?

I wish you the best

Lisa