Clean MRI of head = no MS?

[Countfunkula]

I'm a 38 y/o male. For about 5 months now I've had on again, off again tingling in the right side of my face and and in both hands and feet (though more prominent in right side). I had an MRI with contrast of my head about 2 months ago and my Neurologist said it was clean.

I also have considerable fatigue, brain fog and some cognitive issues. All of this kicked off about 6 month ago after a severe case of strep throat. I've been looking into post viral fatigue and Lyme, but I want to feel confident about the negative MS diagnosis. Does the clean head MRI rule this out? Should I push my doc for a spinal as well?

I should mention that cold and exercise seem to aggravate the tingling.

Thanks!
/Count

[GiacomoVeteran]

Hello, my name is Giacomo. Just recently the 'Right side of my face' started tingling a lot. It is not painful but, scary. I have had 7 spinal surgeries and a Pet Scan of Brain. Lesions were found but, the doc said they were nothing to worry about. I also had 'Calsification'. Also, in heart. I have Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome whereby I have thousands of Basal Cells on my skin. I take Neurontin and opiods for chronic spinal pain caused by the first 'Botched Surgery' to neck (C2 thru 7). I Pray I don't have MS. I have been through ENOUGH! I wouldn't be able to survive it. I also pray the right side tingling of face doesn't get worse and pain occurs. I read many notes on the internet and many people get worse and feel pain, etc. My doc only said, 'Uhm, sounds like the 5th Nerve'. Then he stopped talking! As usual. Is their a blood test for this? Any exam? MRI ? It is irittating. I know it could be worse. I do count my blessings. I've lost 16 years though. My career, etc. Thanks fellow sufferers. Any info. would be grateful. I am also a VET. US Army, Germany & Italy for 4 years..Giacomo

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Ms can present with a normal MRI of the brain. It is not necessary that lesions are always visible on the MRI. But I would stress that you should ask your neurologist to rule out all other possible causes.

Have you got thyroid functions checked? These symptoms are seen in hypothyroidism.

Regards