Prickling, numbness, shooting neck pain, odd sensations

[tednstef]

For the last few months I have, on and off, experienced patches of numbness on my legs. On one recent occasion vision in my right eye was cut of by while light, even when I closed my eyes. Lasted about a half hour and haven't experienced again. I have begun to have occasional shooting pains in my neck, under my right ear. Today, the 4th and 5th fingers on my left hand are prickling. I also have a spot on my left half of forehead that is tender when I touch or rub. It has been there for several months now so I know it is not a bruise or pimple. I am generally tired and moody, though that could be do to school vacation:) I have been taking a wait and see attitude. What could I be looking at here - minor and major?

I am 35, 5'4, 140 lbs and a smoker.

Thanks for your time.

[AnyaD]

I just came back from my neurologist, who is also considered top in North Carolina, and she came up with a completely new treatment which scares me a lot - Tysabri. I trust her a lot but it says everywhere in Tysabri guide that it increases a chance of getting a rare brain infection that usually causes death or severe disability. She says that it does miracles, people get of wheel chairs, it's twice more effective than anything on the market. I am so lost again. As to living life, you're right. I noticed I started to appreciate life and people around me much more than I used to, I don't take things for granted. The only thing I should learn is how to stop being such a neat freak - I am a Virgo and it kills me if something isn't spotless at all times. Take care !!!

[Jessweetio]

My doctor and I discussed Avonex but he is the top MS Specialist in Texas where I live and he told me that Rebif has been more successful in treating recurring MS than Avonex but not as many people want to take it because you do have to self inject 3 times a week, subcutaneous (not as deep as the Avonex one.)  I do have side effects like injection sight reactions, but generally it's no big deal.  It's supposed to be more beneficial and work better if the interferon is in your system at a constant level.  So far it's been really successful for me.  Other than some gait issues(slightly draging step when I run) I feel completly normal, too.  It's really good news that you don't have any symptoms right now, it's really hard for me to know "my limits" but so far I've decided I have none, really.  Being diagnosed with MS totally woke me up to the way I was living my life.  My diet, exercise and overall health had to completly change for me to face this disease and I needed it.  So, take what you can from your reading, get on the right meds for you and continue living your life.

[AnyaD]

Sorry, I don't want to be invasive but I have a question about the treatment. Why are you taking Rebif 3 times a week under the skin if you could take Avonex just once? Avonex is an intramuscular injection which means you can self-inject yourself.

[AnyaD]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, it's very hard at the beginning (my biggest problem is that I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me and people in general do think that MS is a life sentence to disability, I have to explain to everyone that it's not) and I am still confused because I don't have any symptoms again. It's so hard to admit that something is wrong when you feel completely normal. I am not a hypochondriac at all, I would say I am an extreme of opposite but I do like to investigate everything. I am reading a book  Multiple Sclerosis - The Greatest Medical Mistake and I am very impressed. It makes so much sense....I am always happy but I  feel some nervousness inside at all times and this for sure will cause a bunch of MS symptoms. Of course, I would start taking drugs but the books opens your eyes on the way you live your life. I think it's pretty good for just any person.  

[numb-dumb]

i am 69 yrs. old, for the past 2 months i have pins and needles right up the right arm. I have full strength but the sensation of numbness, i worry about creeping paraleses.

[Lynn I.]

My sister suffered a subdural hematoma in 1998 s/p motor vehicle accident.  She now presents with right temporal/frontal lobe headaches, with associated "pressure-like" feeling behind the right eye.  She had an MRI which shows "encephalomalacia noted adjacent to the frontal horns bilaterally....facal area of enjancement felt to be extra-axial noted adjacent to the right frontal cortex."  Her primary doctor referred to this as a meningioma, but did say that it does not appear to involve the right optic nerve. I have tried to research this for her, but I have not been able to find anything that explains this on the web...I only found the definition of both terms, yet no clinical correlation, signs, symtoms, or treatment for these diagnoses.  I would appreciate some feedback if anyone out there knows what I am referring too.  She has been referred to a neurosurgeon, but it is taking alot of time to get in to see him.  So, as you can understand, any info would be better than none.  Thanks in advance.