MS or something else?

[Nancy L]

I really hope that someone can help me!  I am 27yrs old and have always been a pretty healthy person.  About 3 1/2 weeks ago, I woke up and had tingling sensations in both of my arms (elbows down to fingers and only on the top side of the arm, not the palm side)  and in both legs (knees down to toes and again, top side only).  A few days later I noticed some strong neck pain right where the neck and head come together.  I have been seen by several physicians and I have an appointment with a neurologist in Sept.  Every physician that I have seen so far has run me through a series of tests to check my strength, eyes, coordination and balance and my ability to sense pain, hot, cold etc.  They even did blood work to check for diabetes, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiency and cbc.  An x-ray of the cervical spine didnt show anything.   Everything has been normal so far and none of these physicians seem concerned about MS.  Ive been seeing a chiropractor for my back.  He thinks its possible that I may have pinced off some nerve passages in the neck and that could be causing the tingling.  After a few treatments with him, the tingling has gone down some but has not completely gone away.  Within the last couple days, I have noticed some very mild tingling in the right side of my face (cheek to chin area).  I have been very stressed out and find it hard to concentrate on my family.  Could you please give me some sort of an idea of what this could possible be?  Everyone has said that I dont show symptoms of MS but possible symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.  Could this also be possible?  Any help you can give is greatly appreciated

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Nancy:

The diagnosis of MS is made by the patient having multiple episodes of muscle weakness and maybe sensory changes (hence the name of multiple sclerosis).  As your episode has basically been singular, it is too early to make the diagnosis of MS.  You you really don't describe muscle weakness, that would place MS very low on the list.  The more frequent presenting sign, 30% of patients, of MS is optical neuritis (painful blurring of vision) so again this is against the diagnosis of MS.  The distribution of your parasthesias is a bit unusual for a spinal cord problem as the etiology.  You have upper and lower cord symptoms.  Yes, it could be a polyneuropathy, meaning that multiple nerves are involved.  With your laboratory test thus far being normal and no history of alcohol, diabetes, metabolic disorders, tick bite, infection, family history of similar problems, collagen vascular disorder, tumor, drugs, etc I am not sure what to tell you.  It is still early in the process and since it is getting better that is a good sign.  I would see what the neurologist has to say.

I am sorry I couldn't be more specific.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Nancy L RE: answer to MS or something e]

Thank you so much for replying so quickly!  I really scared myself yesterday when I read some article on MS that stated a person may have tingling sensations with no other symptoms and still have MS.  I noticed after reading that that the tingling sensations really flared up again and I started to tremble.  I still feel the same way today.   As for my vision, I have an astigmatizm in my right eye.  After my first treatment with the chiropractor (who adjusted my neck) a few days ago, I noticed that the right eye was a little "distorted".  The chiropractor told me that this could be caused from a change in pressure right around the eyes  that happened when he adjusted the neck and that it should resolve itself once treatment is completed.   Could this be possible?

Nancy L

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Nancy:

Hardly, not possible unless he was blocking off the CSF drainage.  If you had optic neuritis you would know.  There is no doubts because the symptoms are so classic.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[jeff]

Were you taking any medications when this started?

[RE to Jeff...]

No, the only medication I was using was cleocin which is  a topical solution for acne.  Why do you ask?

Nancy

[Nancy L Re to CCF Neuro MD]

Since I have been "panicking" the last few days over this, I have noticed the symptoms have flarred up in the arms and legs.  When I go to grab something, I feel little needle pricks in my hands (ive been feeling those all along)  Are there other diseases that could have similar symptoms to mine?  Does optic neuritis come on suddenly or gradually?  I am having a little "blurring" in the right eye but im assuming its becaus of my astigmatism.  Could stress be a possiblity here?  Thank you so much for all the help--no one else seems as ready to answer my questions

[Joy]

Nancy, Similar things started happening to me earlier this summer, with constant tingling, which started in legs and moved to hands and arms. I freaked out and went to see a neurologist ASAP. This guy told me it was panic/extreme anxiety. This could be your problem too. I was a little skeptical at first, but he prescribed klonopin, which has reduced the symptoms. I had an EMG done which was normal, and am scheduled for VEP. I would still advise checking out all medical causes but you might consider seeing a neuropsychiatrist (someone with a degree in neurology and psychiatry). This way you can be evaluated for all neurological and psychiatric conditions at once. I know how you feel. I sat here and read through all of the horrifying stories of people with MS, as well as those responding to my post with panic inducing advice. Its good to be informed, but easy to scare yourself to death. Do see a neurologist at least though, a GP or chiropractor probably won't know enought to really help you. I posted a letter in the forum about a month ago if you are interested in reading it. Take care and good luck.

[Marcie Crain]

Dear Dr's:  
I have MS and recently posted on to an MS posting, it is do hard to get on now!  You suggested I get on one of the ABC drugs ASAP
as I had just gone through a rash of 1-2 week long exacerbations.I started Avonex last Thurs.  and have been having an exacerbation for 2 1\2 weeks now.  Fatigued, loss of balance, eyes moving when look to left only  and went thru a week  of Predisone treatment which did not do anything.  Neuro has now put me on a higher, longer dosage so hope it works.  

Wanted to thank you all for your input and time as it has been most beneficial to me and my Dr's.

[Marcie Crain]

Dear Dr's:  
I have MS and recently posted on to an MS posting, it is so hard to get on now!  You suggested I get on one of the ABC drugs ASAP
as I had just gone through a rash of 1-2 week long exacerbations.I started Avonex last Thurs.  and have been having an exacerbation for 2 1\2 weeks now.  Fatigued, loss of balance, eyes moving when look to left only  and went thru a week  of Predisone treatment which did not do anything.  Neuro has now put me on a higher, longer dosage so hope it works.  

Wanted to thank you all for your input and time as it has been most beneficial to me and my Dr's. Thanks and God Bless you all.

[Nancy RE: to Joy]

Thank you Joy for the comment.  I have noticed that since I have been reading up on MS that my symptoms seem to be worse.  Today I have this painful tingling sensation all over my head--it hurts!  I saw the doctor again today.  He said I show some early signs of MS, but I could also be showing signs of something else!  Did your symptoms just start up out of the blue or was there something going on in your life that brought them on?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Nancy:

Optic neuritis is painful loss of vision (the vast majority of the time).  You do not have the symptoms of optic neuritis.

CCF Neuro MD

[Nancy Re to CCF Neuro MD]

I saw my doctor again today.  For the past couple day I keep getting this throbing pain on the left side of my forehead and weird tingling pain all over my head.  He's considering ordering up a cat scan and is consulting with the neurologist about what else to do.  If some just touches my head, I get this burning tingling sensation all over for a little bit, then it subsides.  Personally, I think im going crazy.  The doc says it is possible that a lot of this could be stress induced.  Like I said before, my symptoms really started to flare up right when I was told there was a "possibility" of MS  UGH!  Right now I am just trying to stay calm and relax.  The doc prescribed Avozil (spelling?)  for tension.  Hopefully that will help with the anxiety.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Nancy:

Your symptoms do not sound like MS.  The tincture of time will let you know for sure, but it sounds doubtful.  See what the neurologist has to say.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Nancy RE: CCF Neuro MD]

what could be causing the sensations on my head (basically feels like someone  put an entire tube of  Icy Hot on my scalp)   Sometimes I feel it down the middle of my back as well.

[Nancy RE: CCF Neuro MD]

what could be causing the sensations on my head (basically feels like someone  put an entire tube of  Icy Hot on my scalp)   Sometimes I feel it down the middle of my back as well.

[Joy to Nancy]

My life was extremely stressful when my symptoms started. However, I didn't consciously feel panicky when the symptoms started. They came on all of a sudden and stayed. Certainly stay on with a doctor and have all the required tests. It's important to rule out all physical problems first. I am still in the process of testing but so far things look OK for me.  I have noticed that now that my constant tingling is gone, I still have temporary tingling when I feel anxious. Obviously, I have no way of knowing what is causing your problems, but if you can find my post in the archives, the doctor here responded to me that widespread numbness is usually caused by anxiety. I felt I needed to respond to your post because I too REALLY freaked out when I started reading all the stuff about early MS. It's important to keep in mind that MS is rare and other more binine things (i.e. anxiety) can cause similar symptoms. I know it's hard, but just try to relax until you get to the bottom of this. The odds are on your side. I hope everything works out OK.

[Nancy RE RE; Joy]

Did you ever get any shaking or painful tingling in your head?
Ive tried finding you posting, but I cant --what was it called?

Nancy

[Nancy RE RE; Joy]

Did you ever get any shaking or painful tingling in your head?
Ive tried finding you posting, but I cant --what was it called?

Nancy

[Joy to Nancy]

Look under the archives = "Constant tingling" July 24
I didn't have any painful tingling or shaking, but after a while I had twitching in my inner thighs and a weird vibrating feeling in my feet. You mentioned you saw the doctor, I hope he was a neurologist. In the meantime, ask your doctor to prescribe some klonopin or another antianxiety and see if that helps. It helped me a lot. It can't hurt, and it will help you deal with the stress of wondering what could be wrong with you. I will be out of town for a week, but I will check back when I return to see how you are doing. Good luck.

[Joy to Nancy]

I forgot to mention that my post is in the MS archive

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Nancy:

Without examining you it is difficult to tell you.  From your description they are likely fasciculations, but on the scalp muscles and back muscles.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Nancy RE: CCF Neuro MD]

Fasciculations?  On the scalp muscles and back muscles?  Didnt full understand your statement sorry

[Nancy RE CCF NEURO MD]

Sorry if this gets posted twice.  What are fasciculations ?  I also did not understand the rest of your statement

[Nancy RE CCF NEURO MD]

Sorry if this gets posted twice.  What are fasciculations ?  I also did not understand the rest of your statement