"Burners" or something else?

[winglessangel]

For a couple of years, at least, anytime I dropped my chin to my chest quickly, I would have a mirrored numbness (like putting your tongue on a 9v battery) in both palms of my hands. Mirrored exactly in strength and length of duration. The feeling begins exactly where the wrists meet the hands, is strongest at the base of each palm, extends to each finger tip however the pinky and thumb experience more of the sensation than the other three fingers.

About 2 months ago, for whatever reason, dropping my chin to my chest I notice the exact same thing happened in my feet ...mirrored exactly with the timing as it occurs in my hands. It begins about where a sneaker sits mid heel around the back of the ankle, it travels under each heel and about 2/3 of the distance up the sole of each foot, and only into the baby toes. It is felt slightly along the low outsides of my feet as well, perhaps upwards from the soles about 1/8 of an inch.

Add to this please; 2 incidents of instant weakness in my left leg causing me to collapse to the ground, both on the same day, prompted an MRI in November 2007. results: several areas of numerous lesions on my brain (sub cortical dorsi). Following those results I was tested for optic neuritis. That test came back positive in Both of my eyes (which I understand is rare).  The neurologist never really said much at that time and I've not been back for any follow up with him since.

I am losing strength, it seems, daily. I am a very vibrant, healthy and fit 43 year old female who has never smoked or been into drugs or alcohol at all. The remarkable difference in how weak I am becoming is clear to me. 6 months ago I could carry 4 times the amount (example groceries) from my car to my door. What only months ago was effortless is now a challenge. I find myself needing to carry one thing in at a time, even then the walking causes heaviness and fatigue. If I am walking up any amount of stairs, I am unable to carry any weight at all.

My heart races, resting rate is around 100 and within a moment of any kind of movement my heart rate will spike to 140 or over. If I am carrying weight and having to walk a distance my rate will spike to over 180bpm. I also am on medication for hypertension. Unmedicated blood pressure rate average of 165/140. Medicated average 150/98.

I'm tired all the time. I'm worried that something big will come of any testing.

[jensequitur]

Good thing I wasn't buying superballs!  They'd be all over the parking lot... ;-)

[winglessangel]

Noooooo, not the orange marmalade !! Tragic indeed and oh so typical it was not the day you were out purchasing all the new Nerf gear for the upcoming Earth Nerf day (sorry, I'm making light of the situation :) ) It is completely frustrating and I am very worried about the results.

My Dr, after 30 years of knowing me, has come to know that when I present an issue, there is something behind it so she tends to act quickly. Hopefully she can arrange a different Neurologist this time, I guess it's worth my while to contact her office and make that request.
We can't really shop around, it's all done by referral and covered by health care. No complaints, I've always had the best healthcare required for me and my family. :)

Thanks

[jensequitur]

I first started noticing something was wrong when I dropped one of my grocery bags - very annoying, as I had just bought a jar of orange marmalade in a glass container.  Smash!  I was really looking forward to that marmalade, too.

Hey, Tick is talking about L'Hermitte's sign.  This is a neurological phenomenon caused by pressure from the neck on a damaged part of the spinal cord.  It's very much like bending a electrical cord that has a break in it.  Sometimes the cord will work, and sometimes it won't.  Same with your spinal cord.  You're having a symmetrical neurological problem caused by bending your neck.  Most likely you have a lesion in the neck that causes this problem, so when you talk to your new neurologist, be sure to mention it.  I went through several years of my old neurologist not assigning me to a high-strength MRI for my spinal problems, so make sure your new guy sets you up with a 3T MRI.

You've really got to shop around with your neurologist.  I stuck with the guy that diagnosed me for several years before I got fed up and found an MS specialist.  Hmmm... Alberta, huh?  I don't know what your options are up there - but good luck!

[winglessangel]

Thank you so much for the replies. I am scheduled for some blood work this afternoon, and I expect my family physician of almost 30 years will be in touch if anything is out of the ordinary with that. Last week she did say she was going to order a new MRI of the neck region.

Tick 123: Hermitts Sign? is that what this sensation is known as?

Jensiquitur: To be honest I didn't like the Dr. at all. He was very ...disengaged.

Sllowe: Thanks for the direction to that information. There is a wealth of material here, I was up very late last night reading lots of interesting things. Seems I'll be poking around for quite some time.

[sllowe]

Hi there,

Welcome! Don't be worried, just call the old office and go back - they'll have your records. Did you get your spine imaged back then as well?

You could have brain changes from hypertension and blood pressure, but a doctor will need to distinguish between what may or may not be going on here.

It sure is terrible when those grocery bags feel like leads in them. I get that too - very annoying - take all you have to move them about.

If you get the chance peek at our health pages - they are excellent. I think you will especially enjoy the "Weakness vs Feeling Weak" health page.

-Shell

[jensequitur]

It sounds definitely like you need to follow up wth your neurologist.  Or find a different one - it's scary that he never really said much about it.  It's quite easy to fall through the cracks in our current system.  

[cainer]

hi!!  you need to get back in and see whats going on- the lessions, well if it is ms you need on something to slow it down!  please dont let this go, lots of people on here have l hermitts sign- for some reason when they bend their head down they get tingleing-burning-numbness, - i have been bring my head up- just a little and,my arm goes nuts!  its unbearable,but they talked like i was ok-i couldnt believe it!  but see him again thursday, you let us know!!  hugs tick