MS? What do you think? "clear" MRIs

[songbird7]

I'm 38 years old and have migraines triggered by hormones.  April 8, I woke up with the worst migraine I've ever had, causing me to throw up even.  That evening, my left ankle felt funny.  2 days later, my whole left foot felt numb or asleep.  Over the next 3 days, it spread up my calf and my left hand and forearm.  I went to the ER with left-sided weakness and heavy feeling.  CT scan, bloodwork, and EKG (I think it's called) were normal.  ER doc recommended going to a neurologist.  Before getting an appt, the weak, heavy, "numb" feeling was in my right hand and forearm too.  Neuro sent for MRI of head and neck which both came back clear.  Then, left side of my face, lips, and tongue were numb feeling for a few days.  The feeling moves around and changes.  Sometimes it feels dead or asleep, sometimes my muscles ache, especially when I use them.  My right hand hurts a lot, especially when I write, type, use a mouse, etc.  One day, I could not grip a fork or toothbrush with either hand.  That still happens every once in a while but not as bad.  My hands have started shaking pretty often too, especially when I'm doing buttons or something.  Several times a day in different parts of my body (just lasts a few seconds), I get this feeling like little ants are crawling in a line down my leg, or foot, or finger, or up my face.  Neuro then sent me to do bloodwork for Lupus/Lyme/Epstein-Barr.  All was normal except Epstein-Barr was slightly high.  She said some people are carriers.  Now she'll see me next month, and test for Eps.Br again in 3 months.  Well, I'm going to another neurologist who I feel like will help me!  My hands are even shaking typing this.  What do you think?  This has been going on for 5 weeks.  The worst week was 2 weeks ago, but I'm still far from normal.  I was wondering if this sounds like MS and if the migraine could have triggered it.  It sure seems like this must be related to the migraine, being the very same day.  Thanks for your opinions!

[LisaJF]

I've had mononucleosis twice in 2 years.  It was awful.  The fatigue and muscle aches were out of control -- in fact, it made me stop working to this day.  It could have been that you had mono and when your doctor did the EBV test it was at its very end.  This could very well be a symptom of this lingering nasty virus that can do lots of different things.

I hope your situation starts resolving soon but I'm also glad you had a clear MRI.  Did they check your Thyroid?

The only thing is, I'd be persistent if these symptoms continue.  Be your own advocate when you know very darn well there is something wrong with your body then push for answers -- because, afterall, this is YOUR HEALTH that is affected on a daily basis.

Good luck to you and welcome to the forums!  This is a great family here!

Lisa

[Braintoobig]

You are so absolutely right about those lingering viruses. I've been sick with something weird for about 10 months and it's finally starting to resolve. Doctors never did figure out what it was but whatever it was, it REALLY knocked me on my a**!

[Sidesteps]

Welcome! I've had tests and they have come back within normal limits; except clear indication of double vision, some assymetry in my optic nerve tract, nystagmus (eye's twitching) altered and an abnormal balance/gait (positive Rhombers) issues when I was sickest.I also did have a recent "relapse" about 2 months ago where I felt the same (not as bad) and a couple new symptoms popped up. I am still having significant residual issues with my vision, twitching and tremor's some new symptoms with my face (maybe my hands.)

Anyhoooo, to my point... :)

I had a follow-up with my GP because I felt like I was at a dead end with my other Neuro's. He referred me to a different Neuro with indication that they will be ruling out atypical migraines and MS. I *have* been having intermittent headaches since after all this began and my vision obviously is affected by them but my vision is messed up so a lot of things make it worse and I did not start out having headaches, I started with my other symptoms then the headaches came. After the initial issues with my vision, nearly 6 months ago, they feel more like strain now.

I am not sure how atypical migraines cause "damage" that lingers so that will be a question I ask the new Neuro.

[Lulu54]

hi songbird, and let me say welcome.  I don't think we have crossed paths, yet.

You already know we are not a site full of doctors, so all the advice we give is purely based on our own experiences and knowledge.  It sounds like you have a good doctor on the trail of what is going on with your body.

That said, I will throw in my thoughts that what you are describing doesn't sound like MS to me.  The moving of symptoms around your body is the biggest clue to me and you have already heard that from the doctor.


Lingering viruses can do crazy things to the central nervous system and we have had people pass htrough here who have had it take up to a year to feel better.  The same can be true from migraines - they can maifest themselves a wide range of phycial symptoms.

Keep working with this doctor and let us know if you have additional questions.  We are more than happy to work through this with you.
be well,
Lulu

[dreadrea91]

It seems to me that it would be related to the migraine. I have MS and have never had a migraine, but I have had numbness and tingling. The best thing to do is reseacrh on your onw and like you are doing.. find a doc that is aggressive and willing to help! Unfortunately those are hard to come by these days, it took me 5.5 years to get some1 to help me. I agree with Braintoobig tho.. they should scan your whole spine.

[songbird7]

The MRIs were of my head and neck.  After getting the results, I asked the neuro if she thought it could be something in my spinal cord.  She said, "Not with the feelings moving around like it is".  

[Braintoobig]

They should really scan the rest of your spinal cord. Did they only do an MRI of your head?