undiagnosed

[confused8426]

This is quite a long question. I would like to start by sharing my symptoms and experiences. This all started about a year ago. The very first time I awoke to a numb leg, but did not realize it until I fell when I got out of bed. I wasn't too concerned because everyone sleeps on their limbs occasionally. Well, this began to happen constantly. By constantly, I mean multiple times a night. Sometimes my right arm and leg, sometimes the left, sometimes one or the other. For the most part my numbness was experienced on the right side. I began to feel strange tingling, cold sensations in my extremities. At times I even felt numbness on the right side of my face. During this time vision in one of my eyes became blurred. I have always had 20/20 vision and all of a sudden I needed glasses for one eye. These symptoms seem to come in waves, extremely bad at times and others not so bad. I went to the doctor and had and MRI and CAT scan. Nothing was found other than the fact that I have small nerve openings, but no stenosis. A few months later I got a herniated disc. Went to a great back doctor. He did not see any relation to my back injury and this numbness/tingling. The neurologist I saw made me feel as though I was a hypo and stress was causing these issues. I cannot accept this, but have not pursued it because I do not want to spend the time or money looking for an answer. As of right now, I have an appt with a chiropractor because I have no other ideas. I am hoping that she will be able to readjust my back. I just cannot figure out how all of these different nerves might be getting cut off, or that it is due to poor circulation. By the way, I am a healthy 22 year old, eat right, exercise, etc. No other health problems other than this.

[Lulu54]

something is sticking in my brain about chiropractic manipulation not being recommended for those of us with spinal lesions, but I can't recall if that is real or not.

So I went looking for a firm answer and found info on the NMSS site - it is still rather vague but says there is no evidence that this would be harmful.  You can read their info at

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/complementary--alternative-medicine/chiropractic-therapy/index.aspx

You don't say if the doctor you saw was a neurologist - if not, I would pursue being seen by someone who specializes in these disorders and can help to figure out your symptoms.

be well,
Lulu

[JonM]

Do the symptoms relieve themselves once you get up and start moving around? If they do I would be more inclined to think this is a postional thing and that it is something mechanical while you sleep that is putting pressure on your nerves.  If not, and the symptoms persist all the time, then you should see another neurologist who is willing to get to the bottom of this.

You should keep a diary or timeline of these symptoms. record what they were , how long they lasted, etc.

Jon

[wadeheather]

Ditto!  I can be a really difficult rollercoaster to ride.  I many times fight with myself about the hypo and stress conclusions, but I know that's not the answer! SOMETHING is wrong...I don't know what, but it's something.

Keep looking for your answer, and be prepared everytime you go in to a doc to get one of these lazy dx. Take a day or two off, then start the journey again.

We're here for you!
Heather

[Armygirl73]

Welcome!

Sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time. Quite a few of us are in "limboland" and completely confused about what's happening to us.

There are a lot of great people on here to support you as you journey to figure out what's wrong. I would guess just about everyone on here has been called a hypo at one time or another ... it's pretty common, so is the stress diagnosis.

I'm certainly not a medical professional, but I'd suggest you find a new doctor who respects your feelings and listens to what you say.

I hope you find the help and support you need here. I know I have. I'm not diagnosed and have been experience symptoms for years, I'm a "probable." It can be frustrating.

Hang in there!