MS symptoms

[Derek402]

I have had burning pain in my head off and on for two weeks.  Tongue and throat is also tingly off and on all day.  I have taste just tingly.  I also have muscle cramping and some weakness and fatigue.  I have been to neuro before the head burning and tongue symptoms and had a clear MRI and EMG.  Is this definitely not MS?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

I would suggest you let the Neuro-muscular specialist examine you thoroughly and advise any investigations. You may ask him about muscle biopsy, but right now, there is no indication of a biopsy.

Regards

[Derek402]

I am not really having the tongue and throat tingling like I was before.  But the muscle problem still remains.  Would you do a muscle biopsy when I see the neuro/muscle specialist at Emory?

Thanks for you time.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The usual suspect is vitamin B12. A blood test can tell you the B12 levels.

LP to rule out MS is actually not a bad idea. This will only add to the confirmation that this is not MS.

There is a also a good chance that the muscle problems may not be related to you throat and tongue tingling. Are you still having the same combination of symptoms ?

Regards

[Derek402]

He definetly did not rate me on a scale from 0 to 5, he just said made me do some squat thrusts and resistance type motions and said that I did not have muscle weakness. He did test my reflexes and said they were fine and looked in my eyes.

I have had several labs but how would they check for vitamin deficiencies?  I am being referred to a neuro/muscular expert at Emory in Atlanta.  I could not get in for two months with him but if he doesn't find anything the next step I am told is a LP for check for MS again.

If you have any additional thoughts or questions I should pose I would appreciate them.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

Can you mention here if the muscle power was tested by a clinical examination ? Usually the power in the muscles is rated on a scale of zero to 5. If there is a weakness, it shows on the clinical examination. And the clinician also tests the joint reflexes.

I hope there is no vitamin deficiency detected.

Regards

[Derek402]

The muscle problem feels more like cramping and then soreness and a little tired.  It feels like I have done a two hour workout when I have performed normal activity.  My muscle are sore immediately instead of a day or two later like a normal workout.

Thanks for your help.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Your symptoms involve muscle cramps, but I am not sure if there is a weakness. Would you describe it more as a tired feeling than weakness ?

It is premature to consider MS. There are some other causes of peripheral neuropathy which you need to rule out. Discuss this with your neurologist. Get the routine blood check done.

Some of these symptoms usually are related to stress. But not muscle weakness which is clinically evident.

Regards