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Worried About Possible MS Symptoms
I'm not sure why I couldn't post to the MS forum, so I am hopeful that someone here would be able to help or at least provide some guidance.
I'm a 35 year old female with no neurological history. My symptoms started about six months ago, and have been a pretty constant progression since. The first thing I noticed was that when I was exercising, my hands would start to feel swollen and tingle and feel almost numb (like they were "asleep"). This would pass an hour or so after I stopped the exercise. This same happened once during no exercise while out in the sun on a warm day. The most extreme time occurred while out at a fair. It was over 90 degrees - both hands/all fingers started tingling/numb and this lasted the entire 8 hours I was at the fair and did not pass until later that evening. I was well-hydrated all times.
The next symptom to come was that my hands felt "sticky," especially when wet or damp. They would feel almost like there was a tacky glue on them. The feeling usually subsided once my hands were thoroughly dry. No one else can seem to feel this effect. My dermatologist did not do any tests, but claimed to have never heard of any skin-related issues that might cause "sticky skin." My primary doctor thought it might be neurological and might only "seem" sticky when they actually aren't.
I began seeing a neurologist a couple months ago when I started experiencing a burning/stinging feeling in the tops of both feet. This was coupled with the ongoing issues in my hands, which has progressed to an extremely painful burning/stinging as well. My joints are not stiff or painful. Peripheral neuropathy was the original thought since these extremely painful/disruptive symptoms seem to be relegated to both hands and feet. I also have occasional bouts of dizziness/light-headedness, but this has always been attributed to sinus issues and never lasts long.
However, in the absence of a suitable cause, they are now broadening their initial ideas:
- My reflexes seem good and I have no numbness to be discerned during office examination
- An EMG showed no evidence of a pinched/compressed nerve, actual nerve damage, or carpal tunnel. The EMG was only done on my right side, but I was told this was okay since my symptoms are uniform on both sides
- Thyroid, BUN, creatinine, sodium, potassium and ANA bloodwork came back fine. The only thing slightly low was B12. It was 300, so while I have been given a supplement, neither my primary doc nor neurologist seems to think this is the cause of my symptoms.
- Glucose is slightly elevated (94 - 125), though A1C results are not indicative of diabetes.
Both doctors seem to be at a loss, and I admit I'm starting to be concerned. An MRI (without contrast) has been ordered (in a couple weeks) to rule out MS. The neurologist told me he is not overly concerned because MS doesn't usually manifest this way (both hands, both feet, and mostly relegated to those areas), but at the same time, they don't seem to have any additional paths lined up to pursue. Needless to say, I'm pretty frightened about that idea. My doctors also don't seem inclined to pursue anything related to circulation. I have no discoloration and no extreme temperature shifts, so my primary doc has pretty much ignored that element.
So my questions are these:
1). Has anyone with MS ever had theirs manifest in this way?
2). Will the MRI be a definitive indicator?
3). Do you know of anything else I can be considering to get a diagnosis related to my symptoms?
4). Are there any other tests/ideas I should run by my neurologist?
5). If I wanted to pursue the circulation possibility, what tests should I request, or what type of doctor would specialize in this? My primary doc seems highly adverse to pursuing this area.
What am I forgetting? It's horrid being in pain all the time. My hands feel like they are constantly on fire with the burning and stinging, and it's pretty hard to function like that. I've all but stopped exercising because the tingling/numbness is quite scary. Any insight you could provide would be much appreciated.
I'm a 35 year old female with no neurological history. My symptoms started about six months ago, and have been a pretty constant progression since. The first thing I noticed was that when I was exercising, my hands would start to feel swollen and tingle and feel almost numb (like they were "asleep"). This would pass an hour or so after I stopped the exercise. This same happened once during no exercise while out in the sun on a warm day. The most extreme time occurred while out at a fair. It was over 90 degrees - both hands/all fingers started tingling/numb and this lasted the entire 8 hours I was at the fair and did not pass until later that evening. I was well-hydrated all times.
The next symptom to come was that my hands felt "sticky," especially when wet or damp. They would feel almost like there was a tacky glue on them. The feeling usually subsided once my hands were thoroughly dry. No one else can seem to feel this effect. My dermatologist did not do any tests, but claimed to have never heard of any skin-related issues that might cause "sticky skin." My primary doctor thought it might be neurological and might only "seem" sticky when they actually aren't.
I began seeing a neurologist a couple months ago when I started experiencing a burning/stinging feeling in the tops of both feet. This was coupled with the ongoing issues in my hands, which has progressed to an extremely painful burning/stinging as well. My joints are not stiff or painful. Peripheral neuropathy was the original thought since these extremely painful/disruptive symptoms seem to be relegated to both hands and feet. I also have occasional bouts of dizziness/light-headedness, but this has always been attributed to sinus issues and never lasts long.
However, in the absence of a suitable cause, they are now broadening their initial ideas:
- My reflexes seem good and I have no numbness to be discerned during office examination
- An EMG showed no evidence of a pinched/compressed nerve, actual nerve damage, or carpal tunnel. The EMG was only done on my right side, but I was told this was okay since my symptoms are uniform on both sides
- Thyroid, BUN, creatinine, sodium, potassium and ANA bloodwork came back fine. The only thing slightly low was B12. It was 300, so while I have been given a supplement, neither my primary doc nor neurologist seems to think this is the cause of my symptoms.
- Glucose is slightly elevated (94 - 125), though A1C results are not indicative of diabetes.
Both doctors seem to be at a loss, and I admit I'm starting to be concerned. An MRI (without contrast) has been ordered (in a couple weeks) to rule out MS. The neurologist told me he is not overly concerned because MS doesn't usually manifest this way (both hands, both feet, and mostly relegated to those areas), but at the same time, they don't seem to have any additional paths lined up to pursue. Needless to say, I'm pretty frightened about that idea. My doctors also don't seem inclined to pursue anything related to circulation. I have no discoloration and no extreme temperature shifts, so my primary doc has pretty much ignored that element.
So my questions are these:
1). Has anyone with MS ever had theirs manifest in this way?
2). Will the MRI be a definitive indicator?
3). Do you know of anything else I can be considering to get a diagnosis related to my symptoms?
4). Are there any other tests/ideas I should run by my neurologist?
5). If I wanted to pursue the circulation possibility, what tests should I request, or what type of doctor would specialize in this? My primary doc seems highly adverse to pursuing this area.
What am I forgetting? It's horrid being in pain all the time. My hands feel like they are constantly on fire with the burning and stinging, and it's pretty hard to function like that. I've all but stopped exercising because the tingling/numbness is quite scary. Any insight you could provide would be much appreciated.
The MRI will be a very good start to this journey. Get through that first and then see you can get the spinal MRI out of the way. Keeping in mind that a clean MRI isan't going to rule out MS. The only other tests the doctor should pursue are the eoked potentials, SSEP primarily in your case, and eventually a spinal tap or LP.
I wish you did not have to wait so long for all these tests to be scheduled. It is frustrating playing the waiting game.
I hope you get your answers sooner than later. Come often and ask as many questions as you feel comfortable. We have all been where you are at one time.
Julie
I wish you did not have to wait so long for all these tests to be scheduled. It is frustrating playing the waiting game.
I hope you get your answers sooner than later. Come often and ask as many questions as you feel comfortable. We have all been where you are at one time.
Julie
Hi,
I started having symptoms simular to yours back in Jan 09'. I was dx with TM in July 09'. I had what is considered a mild case. But now I am dealing with a posible MS dx because of brain lesions and additional symptoms.I want to try to answer your questions but it's based on my own experiences.I have been tested for every autoimmune disease known to man and all was normal except my ANA. I also suffer from vertigo/vision issues and migraines headaches with aura.Before the TM/MS I had also attributed those issues to sinus/allergy issues but now I'm not so sure.
Unfortunatly with TM there is always a chance to develope MS.
The TM can be considered CIS(clinically isolated syndrome). Also the milder the attack the greater the chance to develope MS.
The MRI will show if the lesions are visible lesions.But you can have MS and have clear MRI's in the beginning.Also you should have EVP's done.
There are a ton of autoimmune diseases that cause neurological symptoms. Lupus, vasculitis,Lymes,sarcoidosis,clotting disorders. etc. But you having a normal ANA is a good sign .
It would not hurt to see a Rheumatologists.They look for the needle in the haystack.
I hoped this helped a bit. In my opinion your symptoms do sound like they could be caused by TM. There are alot of folks that have very mild symptom....
Hang in there.....
I started having symptoms simular to yours back in Jan 09'. I was dx with TM in July 09'. I had what is considered a mild case. But now I am dealing with a posible MS dx because of brain lesions and additional symptoms.I want to try to answer your questions but it's based on my own experiences.I have been tested for every autoimmune disease known to man and all was normal except my ANA. I also suffer from vertigo/vision issues and migraines headaches with aura.Before the TM/MS I had also attributed those issues to sinus/allergy issues but now I'm not so sure.
Unfortunatly with TM there is always a chance to develope MS.
The TM can be considered CIS(clinically isolated syndrome). Also the milder the attack the greater the chance to develope MS.
The MRI will show if the lesions are visible lesions.But you can have MS and have clear MRI's in the beginning.Also you should have EVP's done.
There are a ton of autoimmune diseases that cause neurological symptoms. Lupus, vasculitis,Lymes,sarcoidosis,clotting disorders. etc. But you having a normal ANA is a good sign .
It would not hurt to see a Rheumatologists.They look for the needle in the haystack.
I hoped this helped a bit. In my opinion your symptoms do sound like they could be caused by TM. There are alot of folks that have very mild symptom....
Hang in there.....
check out our Health Pages link on this page...top right side..there is lots of info there fo ryou..
take care
wobbly
dx
take care
wobbly
dx
Deb61,
The first MRI is of the brain only. Apparently, it's tough to get the insurance to approve a brain, neck, and spine MRI all at once, so they have to be ordered in stages. New York State health care at its best *sigh* The second MRI will likely be scheduled after the results of the brain MRI are discussed with the neurologist.
Thank you for the link. My symptoms don't sound like TM. The most affected in my case are the hands, and I thankfully don't have much in the line of weakness. I appreciate your input and am willing to look into all possibilities to get to the bottom of this!
The first MRI is of the brain only. Apparently, it's tough to get the insurance to approve a brain, neck, and spine MRI all at once, so they have to be ordered in stages. New York State health care at its best *sigh* The second MRI will likely be scheduled after the results of the brain MRI are discussed with the neurologist.
Thank you for the link. My symptoms don't sound like TM. The most affected in my case are the hands, and I thankfully don't have much in the line of weakness. I appreciate your input and am willing to look into all possibilities to get to the bottom of this!
Are you getting an MRI of the spine and the brain? Problems with the spinal cord and/or spine probably need to be ruled out, too. Look into transverse myelitis to see if any of your symptoms match up with yours. TM can be related to MS or other autoimmune problems.
http://www.myelitis.org/tm.htm
http://www.myelitis.org/tm.htm
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