Is this Paresthesias and HELLO to everyone

[MrsAristotle]

Hi thanks for making my visit a welcoming one.

I have been asked to post this on Post a Question so here goes.

I am currently under investigation for MS, have  been for 2 years, had one MRI with stuff that could be demylination (but as I am 56 ? my age), had a positive VEP, and now changes on my second spinal MRI which shows high signal lesion on my neck effecting my T1 (the first SPINAL MRI showed unconvincing lesions). (Hands, arms, neck etc). Still no firm diagnoses but neuro wants an LP when I am ready for it and for now has given me a working diagnoses of Myletitis possibly MS.

Anyway one thing that bothers me more than any other symptoms is the buzzing, tingling and vibrating in a rather delicate area in a females undercarriage LOL. It is driving me mad right now, and makes it hard for me to pass water properly. Is this classed as Paresthesias and should I be worried about this?  Its also at the moment moving upwards at the back of my bottom like pins and needles. It does wear me out but thankfully it doesnt happen everyday.

My clinical signs were positive for neurological disorder. My first test a pinpr*ck on my left leg showed I had at the time no feeling in the bottom part of my left leg and foot. This is on and off now, but it is spreading to my right foot now.

I have big trouble at the moment after resting when I stand up, I literally cannot bend my ankles, and the pain in the bottom of my feet hurts like hell until i get moving. Is this classed as Paresthesias. This is a new symptom which has only started in the last few weeks, and i was wondering if i need to check it out with the GP. I dont like to bother her to be honest.

I found your post very informative and very helpful thank you. Maria

[MrsAristotle]

Thank you all so much for answering my question.

Just to let you know I have had 5 UTI since January. They are very wearing. I get a bit cross with my GP sometimes as the neurologist would like me to see an incontinence nurse.

I did see the nurse at the surgery and she asked me to take note of everytime I went to the loo at that time, and measure what I was loosing.

In 24 hour period I went to the loo 25 times. I had no problems with my kidneys they worked fine so her answer to me was to do pelvic floor exercises and tell my brain i really didnt want to go to the toilet every 20 minutes. I tried this and ended up with ANOTHER infection.

I have held back seeing the GP as I am waiting 1 month since i saw my neurologist to ensure that the letter he was sending her would have arrived then I can discuss his findings with her.

I take a cranberry tablet every day and drink plenty of water.

I will discuss with her this new symptom of my feet and ankles as it is making things quite hard for me at the moment.

The pains are sharp like stabbing or tingling, buzzing vibrating, and sometimes the pain in my ankles feels as though the bone is about to break, its horrible.

Again thank you for your kindness in answering you have put my mind at rest, and i shall go to the GP armed with better information, will let you know how i get on.

Maria. Have a lovely weekend.

[Quixotic1]

Hi, the blurb on Paresthesias - sensations caused by damaged nerves - isn't ready for the Health Pages yet, so you won't see it up there.  Right now it is a discussion on the first page under that name.  You can read the different Q & A's and see what we are talking about.

I would say it is definite that your pain in your feet and the odd sensations in your nether regions are paresthesias.

I have also had a weird almost-numbness there that I found very unsettling, as it were.

The problems with passing urine are frequent in myelitis and in MS.  Many, many of us have it.  If it becomes persistent or you get ANY symptoms of a urine infection you need to have it checked out!

Symptoms of a urine infection:

Strong smell
more frequent urges
pain with urination
lower abdominal pain
blood in urine
fever
loss of urine before reaching the bathroom or by itself
sudden worsening of neuro symptoms (this last can be the result of any infection, not just in the urine)

Quix

[Momzilla]

Hi, Maria, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us, we're happy to have you here, but am sorry to hear you're having a long road to diagnosis. That's so frustrating.

Like everyone else has said, the sensations you describe could definitely be a form of parasthesia.  My son has an anatomy book at home (my college student), and I saw an illustration of all the nerves in the body.  There are a TON of nerves in the 'nether regions.'  It's what makes things 'enjoyable' between two consenting adults.  But if you're getting these crazy sensations just on their own and out of the blue--not so utterly enjoyable, I imagine.

If these nerves have been affected by demyelination, like in MS, the sensations would make sense, however aggravating they are.  Quix, our resident physician, has written a very good Health Page about parasthesias.  Please take time to read it if you can.  It may help explain things for you.  Would explain ALL your burning and tingling, most likely.  

There is another Page that QUix wrote on Lesions as well.  I really think you would find it informative.  Having a spine lesion is something your doc really needs to give some weight to.  I hope it's not long for a diagnosis for, whatever it is that is going on with your body.

Feel well and keep us posted!

Momzilla*

[jensequitur]

I've had problems with the 'down there' area as well - numbness, tingling, even sharp pains in an unmentionable area.  Quite disturbing!  Especially since I can't just put my hand on it, like I would if the pain was in my knee.  That particular symptom is classified as paresthesia.

Now, your problems with your bladder are probably MS-related as well, but in this case it's a muscular problem with the bladder sphincter.  Sometimes - as Rena says - the bladder doesn't empty completely, which can cause infection.  So keep an eye on that, drink plenty of cranberry juice, and stay away from the salts.

You can't bend your ankles, huh?  And the pain in the bottom of your feet...  This would qualify as progression, I think, and justification to see your doc.  The ankle problem is also muscular, and so is the pain in the bottom of your feet.  If you have a honey around to massage your feet for you, get him to do so - it'll help the pain considerably.

[Rena705]

Hello Maria and welcome to the forum!  Sorry to hear about all the problems you are having but I think you have come to a good place for help.  The people here are a great bunch and although we are not physicians we may be able to help you on your journey to find a diagnosis for your symptoms.

First of all, I would like to comment on what you said about bothering your doctor.  You need to realize that your doctor is working FOR YOU and you should never consider your questions to her as bothering her...this could be dangerous for you and you have to realize that it is the doctor's job...that is what she went to school for all those years and that is what she is paid for so please don't hesitate to question a doctor if you are concerned about what is going on.

Secondly, the sensation you are feeling in your "female  undercarriage" could be what is called parasthesia's but what concerns me is the difficulty you are having "passing your water".  MS can cause all sorts of problems with women's bladder's and I believe that this is something you need to discuss with your doctor as soon as you can.  Not being able to empty your bladder completely can cause infection and infection can cause you to not be able to empty your bladder.  I would advise that you should make an appointment with your doctor today!

Thirdly, you stated that you are having problems with pain in the bottom of your feet.  This could be "nerve pain" that can be a symptom of MS.  There are medications that you can use to help with this pain.  Is the pain a dull throb or is it like lightening bolts are shooting in your foot or is it a hot burning pain?  We would know more if you can be more specific about the pain  you are experiencing as there are different sorts of pain that can be involved.

I certainly hope that you start to get some more answers soon but I really think that the bladder thing be brought to your GP's attention ok?  

We are really happy that you have joined our group and please know that we are here for you 24/7.  If you need to rant, rave, laugh or cry...we are here and I hope that you stick around and add your experiences in the hope that they may help someone else on the same road.

Lots of Hugs,

Rena