Ideas???

[lishy27]

I am a 27 yr old female who has been dealing with this problem for 4 yrs. I am seen 2 different neurologist (1 when the symptoms 1st began and one a few months ago) who have no idea what is causing the problems. It began when I was 24 and started out as numbness/tingling sensation in my left foot. I went to my PCP who ordered a non-contrast MRI due to my family history of MS. It was negative and by the time I got the results, the sensation had spread up my left leg. He referred me to a neurologist who ran blood work, ordered cervical and lumbar non-contrast MRIs, and a nerve conduction study on that leg. All results were normal except for a B-12 deficiency. By this time, I was the sensation had spread up my left arm and to the left side of my face. I was also very tired all the time. I was given B-12 shots which helped and my symptoms went away. They returned about 6 mos later, and I was given more B-12 shots. They resolved again. About 1 yr later they began again. The sensations became almost painful and kept me up at night. I saw my PCP again, and he took me off Paxil. He thought it might be a side effect of the meds. After weaning off Paxil, the symptoms resolved again. The sensations have stayed mainly in my left foot and leg when they return. I went symptom free again until this past fall. I returned once again to my PCP. He ordered blood work to check my vitamin levels and this time I had a vitamin D deficiency. I was given supplements and referred to another neurologist (b/c I did not care for the 1st neurologist I saw). She ordered blood work checking for autoimmune disorders and a brain/cervical MRI w/ contrast. All were normal. She is treating me for nerve pain. The medication she gave me I cannot take due to the side effects. I go back to see her this month. I The symptoms just went again, but now I have developed a rash on my left arm. It does not itch nor does it go away with allergy meds. I noticed it about 1 1/2 mos ago. The symptoms appear for a couple of months, then go away. They interrupt my life because it effects my sleep and the symptoms are annoying. I am just looking for a possible direction to finding a diagnosis.

Here is some other medical background information. I have not had children yet. I have asthma and lots of skin allergies. I am highly allergic to shellfish, iodine, and contrast w/ iodine. I do have a lot of UTI's and have been diagnosed with bladder cystitis. I have also recently been recently diagnosed with acid reflux. Other than that I am pretty healthy. I do catch colds easily, bruise easily, and heal slowly. I do have anxiety. However, I am in graduate school pursuing a PH.D. Thank you in advance for any help.

[ggreg]

Thanks, Fishy.  I thought diabetes might be a concern.  Keep up with B-12 shots as needed and the supplements, tho.  Best wishes for better health.

[lishy27]

Update: I went back to my PCP and asked to be evaluated for diabetes. They repeated the 3 hour glucose test and my score at the 2 hour mark indicated that I was in diabetic range. My AC1 test was 5.5. My doctor now feels that I am in the being stages of Type 2 diabetes. I am now being sent to an endocrinologist for further evaluation.

[lishy27]

About 2yrs ago my PCP did the 3 hr glucose test b/c I was also having problems feeling faint and sick if I did not eat on time. Type 2 diabetes runs in my family, so I was concerned. The test was abnormal, but not in the diabetic range. My doctor just blew the results off and never gave me any advice to whether or not I should change my diet or be concerned. I have thought that I needed to be evaluated again, b/c I still have that problem. Thanks! I think I certainly will pursue this again.

[ggreg]

When I began reading your post, the first thing I thought of was kidneys, and when I read your last paragraph, it confirmed this idea, that you should be evaluated by a diabetes doc.  It also could be you have some kind of metabolic issue going on, where your body isn't absorbing some nutrients as it should, which will throw your whole chemistry off, which a geneticist often will look at that possibility.  I would say that your MRI was comprehensive and therefore it is unlikely your brain is doing this.  I'm sorry the medicine you took didn't work out for you... there are other medications and treatments for nerve type pain, tho.  Get some new nerve pain meds, and also get evaluated for diabetes.