question neurological disorder

[chirs388]

I just got the swine flu shot and also have gotten the seasonal flu vaccination. I was wondering what are normal side effects from the shot. The one thing I have noticed is that my legs are really weak. My arms at times feel limp at times too. I also have a feeling of breathlessness or not getting enough air in my body. Also noticed hands and colds feel really cold.  My memory is getting worse. Not to sound gross but also seems like have trouble at times urinating. I do have the sensation of headpressure and throbbing pain on left side of head. Sometimes even my hand get numb to the point where can move it for a minute or two. Also have a stiff neck and back pain. Have bowel problems and idigestion. Does. Does that soun d like guilles barees sydrome or multiple sclerosis. I am just wondering if this sound like a neurological problem because i've had cbc test, thyroid etc, physical to rule out other problems

[b125]

the vaccines can give a varying reaction depending on the person receiving them, but it isn't unusual to be washed out a bit after a vaccine of any type. the closer you have them together, the more washed out you're likely to feel after the second one.

i tend to agree that a lot of your symptoms could very well be anxiety related - stress can do some pretty incredible (and awful!) things to the human body.  There is defintely a reason for that old saying "stress kills." I wouldn't worry about an MRI at this point, or any major imaging studies, but I would defintely look into learning some relaxation techniques. If you don't have anyone you talk to about things going on in your life, a counselor might be good - they are trained to let you vent.

[jensequitur]

First thing to do is go to the doctor and tell them all your symptoms, including the anxiety.

The only thing I see that I don't recognize as being anxiety-related is the seizure-like jerking.  Do you lose consciousness?  Or do you have weird sensations, which end in a jerking motion?

[Quixotic1]

Hmmm...I still have no sense about when the various symptoms started with regard to when you got the flu shot.  But, it does sound like the leg weakness and maybe some of the symptoms began before the shot.  The arm weakness seems to have followed.

This is not Guillain-Barre.  GBS is an ascending paralysis which begins in the lower legs and progresses upward.  It typcially occurs over several hours to a few days, but can occasionally develop over as long as a couple weeks.  The paralysis or severe weakness may last a varying length of time and then resolves in the opposite direction.  Once the paralysis occurs it is constant and does not come and go.

Given that you are recognizing severe anxiety in your life, I tend to think that these problems are, indeed, anxiety related.  I don't  always agree with the assessment of anxiety, but here it makes sense and fits what you have said.  The best way to know is to get the anxiety treated with meds, therapy, relaxation techniques, yoga, exercise or whatever.  Once the anxiety abates we can see what symptoms remain.

All of the main symptoms you report are frequent symptoms of anxiety.  And occurring after a major health threat to you father is not an unusual timing for someone your age.  The manner in which you write shows the pressure of anxiety, being unable to answer my questions.  I hear the anxiety in your very words.  Losing 15 pounds is an indication that this is fairly severe.  Please ask for help for it.

I would recommend trying to get the anxiety under control.  Once you feel better from it any remaining symptoms can be dealt with better.

Does this sound like MS?  Not really, but the anxiety is making everything a little unclear.  You and your doctors should try to sort it out little by little.

Quix

[chirs388]

Well honestly I have lost alot of weight i am down to 135 used to weigh over 150. It it mroe my legs honestly. My legs just feels weak and I have a funny gait. But I have noticed that my health has gone down hill. I feel at night time short of breath, headaches, headpressure,  tired all the time.  Have had trouble swallowing at times almost chocked on a vitamin pill, have excess saliva have to spit up.  The numbness in my arms did start after the seasonal flu shot. I have had one or two instances where after typing on the computer for a few minutes my hand goes completely numb and I can't even move it.  One thing have noticed when walking is my legs will bend inward when i'm walking .  Sometimes i have had mild jerking guess you'd say a minor seizure.   Honestly this seemed to start after my dad went int o the hospital for a heart attack. Have had problems iwth anxiety and panic.  I am frustrated been to a clinic at my college they think I just have anxiety, have also had 2 cbc test last one 2 or 3 months ago and thyroid,. So honestly at this point I dont know mean its too expensive to get an mri. Just gets old being tired all the time and mentally feeling slow at times .

[Quixotic1]

Welcome to the forum.  I'm sorry you're going through this.

From what you have said it would be hard to say what is going on and nothing can be diagnosed online.  But, to discuss this we would need to know "how" all of this is happening.

When did you get the shots?

When did the weakness begin and how has it appeared?  Is the weakness constant?  From the beginning has it worsened?  Does it come and go - if so how often.  Can you climb stairs?

Are your arms really weak or do they feel weak? - both can happen/

If you would give us a sense of how things began and in what order and how they are/aren't changing, we could discuss this at least in terms of MS.

Hoping to hear from you.

Quix