Paresthesias, Body Twitches - MS?

[jsoh]

I am a 25 year old female.  No major health problems.  Here are my symptoms:

6 weeks ago began experiencing mild numbness/tingling/achy feeling in right arm/hands/fingers.  This was precitated by some hand pain after using a knife to cut a hard object.  One week after that began experiencing same symptoms in left arm.  The symptoms were not constant but frequent.  A week after the left arm, I had mild numbness/tingling in my left ankle.  The next day, my entire left leg felt asleep.   This last about one day.  For the next four weeks, I experienced this mild numbness and tingling in both feet, ankles, lower leg, arms, hands, fingers, upper back, face, head, and neck.  The symptoms usually lasted from an hour to several hours.  But for four weeks I usually had some symptom in some part of my body.  Then the symptoms started to fade off.  Since that time, I also developed some body twitches/jerks in most parts of my body that happened throughout the day. This lasted a week and kind of faded off.  Now I seem to just have numbness/tingling in my fingers or feet that may last an hour every once in a while.  Sometimes my arms/fingers feel achy.  In addition, sometimes after using my hands/fingers for heavy use they tend to feel wierd and sometimes I have a tremor in my hands.  I had a brain MRI that came back clear (I was experiencing the numbness/tingling in both feet at the time.)  I am very concerned that I have MS.  What else could it be?  I have an appt. with a neurologist soon, but I am very worried.  Does this sound like MS or anything else

[mamafigure]

I sympathize with all of you.  We seem to have a lot in common. I hope that someone can help me.  This all started withhh Bronchitis for a few months (I normally go to the drs every few yeaaaaars), then an underlying asthmatic condition was discovered. I was given Advair and a steroid and a few days later I couldn't walk hardly at all.  Both legs felt numb.  A little while after that everything switched to my right side.  My right hand and arm as well as my right leg twitch or whatever the currect term is.  This goes on for between 50% adn 70% of the time I am awake.  I have had a lot of blood tests, and was referred to a neurologist.  He scheduled an MRI of the brainn with dye.  I have and AEP, SEP and a VEP scheduled for next week.  I have a spinal tap the week after.  I have also noticed petichiae (sp?) and that my ability to reason and remember things has been greatly reduced.  ( I went to nursing school and now can't even remember the blood tests I had).  My leg is shaking so badly that typing is almost impossible right now. Thanks for letting me post

[jsoh]

Hi, I thought I would update you on what has happened so far (I was the original poster).  I went to an MS specialist at the Mellen Center in Cleveland.  It is supposed to be one of the best centers and the doctor I went to is highly respected by patients etc.  My neurological exam was normal.  My brain MRI was normal.  He said I have benign paresthesias and fasciculations.  I guess this is based on the fact that my numbness and tingling was migrating and only lasted in one spot for an hour to 2 days tops.  I am not sure what to think about this.  I felt like I was written off as a head case.  On the other hand, he is one of the best doctors around.  The doctor did not feel that any other tests needed to be run at this time.  I was very surprised at that.  He said my chances of developing MS are higher (about 10%) but I had nothing to worry about.  I plan to go to another neurologist just to see if I can get some more tests to ease my mind.

[JandKmom]

From what you've written, it sounds very optimistic.  I have a question - what are fasciculations ?  I haven't heard that term before. I went for my MRI w/ contrast today.  I am waiting, trying to stay calm.  It's very nerve wracking to feel these symptoms, and have everyone tell you to 'stop worrying so much' or to 'focus on something else'.  Good luck and try to stay positive....if I could only take my own advice : )

[MissJess]

I have had tingling but no numbness in my left arm and left leg for two years now. It was mostly an annoyance but the last few days I am feeling it my right arm as well and the sensation is getting strong, more like a burning sensation sometimes, especially when I'm laying down ready to go to sleep.

I have been to multiple doctors and two neurologists. I have had a brain MRI (came back fine), neck x-ray, blood tests for thyroid problems, etc., and an EMG on my left arm and leg. So far nothing has come back alarming.

I am getting so frustrated! I am a 25 year old female in good health and am also fearing MS even though I have not presented any other symptoms and my tingling has been regular for two years (no drop off). The last few days the burning/tingling sensation in my arms has been so bad it prevents me from falling asleep easily and wakes me up in the middle of the night.

[JandKmom]

I have so many symptoms in common w/ so many of you who have posted. Vague tingling, hot spots and pins and needles etc... I was just wondering, has anyone had an official diagnosis ?  I am going for an MRI and CBC tomorrow and I am hoping I will have an answer soon.

[JandKmom]

Hi Shellopher,

I have pretty much the same symptoms as you.  Right down to the back problem !  I also re-injured (pinched sciatic nerve) my back about 3 weeks ago.  I have a vague tingling sensation and hot patches on my left side (arm, leg)that come and go. And, some pins and needles mainly in my big toe. It doesn't keep me awake and I wake up w/o symptoms. They usually reappear shortly after I wake up.  I went to my family dr. on Sat. and he felt that I had numerous pinched nerves.  He thought the sensations in my arm might be from carrying the baby's car seat and my leg was from hurting my back the 3 weeks prior.  I had my daughter 8 mths ago (I had an epidural, probably not relevant at this point).  He prescribed Celebrex x 10days (2x daily).  But, I went to see a neurologist on Monday because I am terrified it is something more serious. He examined me complete w/ walking a straight line and asking me questions (ie: day, year, childs birthday). He said there was no muscle weakness or vision disturbances which are commonly associated w/ MS.  He didn't seem concerned about MS, he also felt it was pinched nerves.  The only thing he didn't like was the tingling in my face.  I am going for an MRI w/ dye and complete blood work tomorrow (THurs).
You said you went to the dr. on the 17th.  I would like to hear from you to know how things went for you.  I know how you feel, I am scared all the time also.  My husband thinks that alot of my symptoms are just nerves and anxiety.  I hope he's right !
You can email me directly (***@****)or post a message on the board.  I hope you are doing well.

By the way, I think the Celebrex is helping !

Thanks : )