Numbness/Tingling/Twitiching/Fasiculations

[sunshinnne1]

I"m a 47 year old woman who has some very scary neurological symptoms.  Started out with my tongue becoming numb. ...limbs falling asleep....feeling of pins and needles.. Then it progressed to whole left side becoming numb. Had an MRI of brain with and without contrast and MRI of cervical spine with and without conttrast. MR of bran clean .. The results of the MRI of the cervical spine were as follows:  C3-C4 level, mild disc space narrowing is noted. Mild, posterior, broad-based annular disc bulge is noted with mild cental canal stenois, At C4-C5 level, mild disc space narrowing and mild, posterior  broadbased spondylitic bulge is noted. Mild central canal stenois is noted. At C5-C6 level disc space narrowing and mild, anterior hypertrophic spurring is noted. Mild, posterior, broad baded spondylitic bulge is identified with moderate cenral canal stenois. There is moderate, bilateral neural formaninal narrowing secondary to uncovertebral joing hypertrophic degenerative changes. At C6-C7 level, mild disc space narrowing and slight, posterior braodbased annular disc bulge is noted. After I had the MRI's I started to experience twitching which started in left calf. Then it happened on all 4 limbs and then got fasciculations  in both feet. I also experienced a perceived weakness in both arms and lets. I say perceived because I could actually function completely normal in terms of picking up things, weight training etc...They just felt like rubber. That comes and goes. So I freaked out about ALS and immediately went to Mayo Clinic in Jax, FL. At this point by the way I had already been assured by the neurologist that ordered the MRI's that I DID NOT HAVE ALS. So I went to Mayo and had and EMG and NCV and they all came out normal. I was assured by the neurologist that ran the EMG that I did not have ALS .I was assured a third time by another neurologist at Mayo based on my EMG/NCV results that I do not have ALS and was told I have benign fasciculations. Since then the fasiculations in my feet and calves have become worse and I am now having muscle cramping in my feet. They actually don't cramp but they feel like they are always on the verge. If I point I toes down they instantly cramp. My calves are also feeling very sore from the constant fasculations.I also get a burning/cool sensation in my muscles including my legs and arms. I am able to function normally in terms of walking around, picking up things..I actually feel alot better when I'm active....I cycle about 80 miles each weekend with no trouble.  Bottom line I'm scared and need some answers. Things are at their worst when I'm at rest.  I'm thinking of going back to Mayo to repeat tests....anyone in the same boat I am??? I do weights everyday and I am trying to keep a postive attitude but it's hard when things just keep happening. I take Xanax everynight just so I can sleep because the fasciulations in my feet and calves keep me awake..DRIVING ME CRAZY!!! Someone give me peace of mind here. One neurologist suggested Lyrica but I wont' get on that as it has alot of bad side effect but these fasiculations and pain is driving me crazy...just not going way..it's  seems it here to say....anyone with any suggestions???? I've heard of cramping fasciculations syndrome ...any thoughts???? I was assured by BOTH neurologist that the EMG/NCV is the gold standard to rule out major neurological disorders.

[kay290]

I do believe all of your symptoms are coming from your neck. I have hdd very similar symptoms and went through hell finding out the answer. Mine started after an epidural injection so that complicated things. You are having what looks like Cervical Myelopathy symptoms. It may not show on the neuro exam because it is the early stages of it. You need to consult neurosurgeons or orthopedic spinal surgeons ASAP. The symptoms may progress and be permanent. The sooner  you have surgery the better the outcome of no permanent damage. I still have fasiculations (muscle twitching, spasms and cramping) 7 months post op and that may be permanent. I have to give it a year. All of my other multitude of symptoms are either gone or much improved (weakness, numbness, hand tremors, piercing body pains, neck pain etc since I decompressed  my spine. I had surgery 6 months into my symptoms and wasted alot of time with Dr's that did not know what they were doing. I had to go to Manhattan to get answers. I would suggest you go to an area where there is more expertise on the subject. Your MRI has to show enough spinal cord compression to be causing your symptoms and getting an experienced specialist can be tricky. I wish I had this medhelp when I was going through my hell. Good luck,