Feeling better now, should I go back for a checkup?

[t_anunson]

Hi doctor,

I wrote you before about some post partum problems. I had my daughter vaginally with an epidural. 2 weeks after my daughter was born, I began having tingling in the extremities, numbness on the ball of my heel, muscle twitching, buzzing sensations that went down my right leg upon head bending, and cramping and spasms in my muscles. Well I went to a neurologist and he did some tests. He did MRI of C-Spine which was Normal, MRI of brain - Normal, strength - Normal, NCT- Basically Normal, Blood work - Normal. After about 4 months of nerve problems I am finally feeling better. I still get an odd sensation here and there on my body, but I haven`t went back to the doctor. The neurologist said he didn`t know what was wrong, to see a specialist. But I haven`t been feeling as bad lately, so I haven`t yet. So my question is... was this probably just a neurologic flare up from h aving my daughter and should I not go back to the doctor? Or should I continue to try to see what caused this and get a second opinion incase it`s something more serious? Thanks for all your help...

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

I'm not sure what your symptoms represented either. Wonder if it was related to the delivery somehow, or if the physical stress of it all brought out a latent neurological problem.  However, given that the extensive diagnostic testing has been normal, ruling out major neurological diseases that require urgent medical care and the fact that your symptoms are getting better on their own, I think it would be ok to just observe for now. You may consider a followup appointment if the the symptoms persist over the next couple of months.  Otherwise, just see how things go.  If of course, the symptoms worsen, then go back to your neurologist or consider a second opinion at a major academic center. Good luck.

[t_anunson]

Doctor,
Thanks for your reply. Also, sometimes when I`m taking a warm/hot shower, I notice that the ball of my left heel still feels a little numb. Could this be MS related or still related to just a neurological flare up. Thanks...

[Ron3]

Hi Tab,

You might ask to have your blood checked for a titre called Herpes, since it is a possibility  that you had a virus called
Shingles that affected the spinal cord, OR a minor irritation occurred to the spinal cord from the epidural.
Tiredness can indicate a hidden viral infection such as mono which is slowly improving.

Keep your eyes open for other similar symptoms and write things
down to make a case.
Were you camping in deer country before the symptoms began?
Your next step should be to see an infectious disease doctor
if you do not improve.

Take care...
Ron

[t_anunson]

Ron,
Thanks for your posting. I`m not that tired. I live in the south where there are a lot of deer, but I really don`t think I have Rocky Mountain fever. I`m doing pretty good now. I had a lot of blood work done.... all came back normal.