New Symptoms/Relapse?

[Pablo_Morphy]

Greetings everybody!  I've been away for the past two months, on vacation traveling to different places after a bout of Optic Neuritis, my MS diagnosis and starting Copaxone.  It's been a wonderful Summer but also challenging for my body after the diagnosis.  The city I stayed in for the past 3 weeks has 102 F degrees on average, and the heat index is even worse!

Here is my question:  Although my vision has improved quite a bit, my headaches never really went away and, starting about a month ago, I suddenly developed nasty dizziness spells and a weird light buzzing sensation in my neck, down the spine and in my extremities.  I think it's pretty much things that I was already feeling (lightheadness and minor fasciculations) but got worse.  Neuro said I could do well without steroids if it didn't interfere my daily activities, and thought it might be just part of the same "exacerbation."  Last week the symptoms began to improve again, though they haven't gone away entirely.

Has anybody felt this weird kind of buzzing (including the pain behind the neck and lightheadness that just comes and goes every once in a while, it's not Lhermitte's apparently)??  How do I know if this was just part of the previous exacerbation, or something entirely new (and would it matter?)?  How can I fight against the light buzzing?  (It's not painful, but it's annoying and reminds me of MS all the time!!!)

Thanks a bunch!

Pablo  

[Pablo_Morphy]

Quix, thanks for your comments!  I agree with you:  Heat was probably the most important explanatory factor of these paresthesias.  Next time I think I'll get a cooling vest and avoid so much exposure to the heat in critical hours.  I guess I am still a bit in denial, since my CIS diagnosis just came 4 months ago and I have only been two months with Copaxone.

On the other hand, Copaxone is going much better than expected so far:  No lumps, hives or adverse reactions.  I also managed to bring my medication with me for those 2 months.  I am glad I paid attention to my Neuro and started treatment right away.

Thanks!!!

Pablo

[Quixotic1]

Hi, again, good to see you back.  I think that it is pretty hard to determine what state of  relapse or remission you are in since you were exposed to such severe heat stress.  That certainly could cause the up and down of symptoms.

It's weird how life altering simple paresthesias can be.  We know they aren't dangerous in and of themselves, but they certainly can affect the quality of life.  Ren is correct, there are a number of medications that can be used for both paresthesias and for neuropathic pain.  If the sensations are really affecting you, then definitely speak to your neuro.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better.  We pay for "abusing ourselves", don't we?

Quix

[Pablo_Morphy]

Thank you so much for your help. I can tell you that the symptoms come and go.  I had felt mild 'crawling bugs' inside my legs and rest of the body in the past, but this buzzing is a bit more annoying and different.  It is also accompanied by a bit of pain in the neck and the middle of my back... I am just keeping my fingers crossed I didn't get my first  'visible' lesion in the spinal cord :(

In any case, the good news is that it is improving.  I guess I just abused my body too much during the Summer.  Apparently, I did everything necessary to slow down improvement.  Now that I am back home I am feeling much better by the hour, thanks goodness.

[rendean]

Pablo,

I have experienced the buzzing but mine is in my head. Kinda like bees in my bonnet. My neuro told me that he believes it's connected to either my migraines or my MS. The first time I ever had it was when I stood up next to bed and unexpectedly feel to my left and received a severe scalp laceration and huge bruises.

After that little escapade I was hospitalized for 4 days for testing for everything under the sun. The buzz symptom which I still have has not changed but fades into the background unless I get stressed or overheated. I do get light-headed when it escalates. For treatment, I am on several drugs for paraesthesias: gabapentin, Trileptal, nortriptyline and a sleeping aid to ensure a good night's rest despite the buzzing, etc.

I'm not sure if I answered your question but if the symptom is bothersome I would tell your neuro , especially if a new one.

Ren

[michelleislay]

i haven't experienced the buzzing, but i think if it is bothering you enough, you should ask your neuro about what can be done.  

good luck and hooray for your fun travels!!!

michelle

[Pablo_Morphy]

Thanks, Sarah!  The buzzing so far does not interfere with my sleep, it is really, really light...   I have been feeling better, but I am not 100% sure if they are going away.

[Sparkysarah]

I think that you will find that many of us experience some sort of buzzing, pins and needles or other neurological sensations and that most people are on some sort of medication such as Gabapentin to relieve this. I am wondering if the buzzing interferes with your sleep.

I am sure that others will chip in with their suggestions.

Best wishes

Sarah