Weakness in muscles and tingling

[snoopy_301]

39 yr old female without prior health problems, very physically active until one day had pain in my feet that progressed to legs. This problem began after I returned home from a long trip (12 hours in a car), I thought it was from that, may be my back, but it never got better and the MRI's didn't show anything. Symptoms of tightness/heaviness/achey-ness in legs with tingling moving around to feet/legs and some tingling in groin.  MRI of spine and brain were all fine. EMG showed some muscle problem in my left calf, but all the other muscles were fine including the left hamstring. Bunch of blood test - don't know what of, but they were all fine with the exception of an AST that has been elevated (only double of normal) even before this began. Tingling in left ankle is getting worse and muscle weakness in rt leg worsening. My right knee seems to be bending back as I walk. Because this has been ongoing for apprx. 4 months is my chance of returning to normal less likely? I began seeing a counselor due to the depression of not being active and the stress of the pain. I have noticed my hair is getting thinner also, but I believe lupus was ruled out with a blood test. I do not have ovaries (non-cancer issues) and have been on estrogen for 8 years , so may be this is from not enough estrogen or something.  Do you have any idea what can be wrong with me? I just need some answers and suggestions as to how to get healthy and get my life back.  Thank-you

[Sportfish60]

My wife began her troubles with much the same symptoms as you.  It took a while to find the problem, but a good neurologist suspected a spinal tumor, and ordered a thoracic spine MRI WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST.  ONLY the MRI WITH CONTRAST picked up a 4 cm spinal hemangioma compressing the spinal cord in the T2 - T4 range. That's what was causing the numbness, tingling, weakness and (in her case) what felt like a belt being pulled incredibly tight around her diaphragm.  Also heartbeat pounding in head & chest.

After 2 procedures & 3 level laminectomy surgery, many pre-op symptoms have returned (chest, groin, hips still OK).  Her case is being presented today at UCSF Medical's weekly Neuro Conference.

Hoping for the best for you...

SF

[karetech]

Cipro has put me through hell.

I just had a spinal tap on Thursday. Cipro has caused neuropathy in my hands and feet. Electrical shocking type pains all over, all my blood work comes back fine. I've had 3 MRI's and sensory tests. I feel like a idiot with these Dr's, they keep telling me that a drug wouldn't do anything like this, but I beg to differ with them. Even Bayer claims it is an adverse effect. The only reason to me why the Dr's disregard Cipro is because the effects aren't always immediate.

I'm a nursing student so I understand medicine and neurology are complex, altough I don't understand why EVERY neurolgist or Dr haven't taken the time to check out the problems cipro is causing. The Dr's think this is a miracle drug, it may be for some things, but they say the cure is worse than the disease.

Something has to be done with this drug, I took Cipro May 2004, and the neuropathy symptoms started July 2 at 3:30 am. Hasn't gone away since.
Hope you have better success than I have had.

k_desalvo***@****

[tearsfromheaven]

you should be tested for lyme disease

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

I cannot give you a formal clinical diagnosis over the internet unfortunately.

Compression neuropathies can occur after sitting in position for a long time, and the severity can vary from mild to severe (EMG also give the severity of injury). In your case, the normal EMG and MRIs go against nerve injury to the spinal cord, nerve roots, or peripheral nerves.

Perhaps the long journey, and being on estrogens led to changes in the lower limb veins, which could also cause pain, tingling etc - I do not know if they did an ultrasound to look for blood clots or signs of venous insufficiency.

Good luck

[johnflox]

You are probably having an adverse reaction to cipro. More than 95% of those reactions are not reported, and even not identified because they start well after ending the treatment.
Check your symptoms and evolution at:
www.fluoroquinolones.org
and get a more precise idea.

Your dose was low, so you could probably expect to recover in some months. Most people with your level of symptoms get well in less than two years.

[snoopy_301]

Thanks for all of your input.  As far as excerise, I used to regularly, but haven't been able to since this started.  I do manage to walk very slowly on my treadmill for 10-minute intervals.  They checked my viatamin B and it was fine.  I eat healthy - just a few too many sweets though.  Thyroid was fine too.  Someone asked about antibiotics.  I did take something for what was thought to be a urinary tract infection -  I THINK it was Cipro - but I only had to take it for 2 days (4 doses).  If that were the cause - wouldn't it be out of my system after nearly 4 months?  Thanks for your help

[johnflox]

Have you checked what drugs did you take the months before the onset of your pain?
Many medicines (some antibiotics like cipro and levaquin, statins, inmunodepressive agents and others are known to cause the disorders that you show).
Also, check what other chemicals you are exposed to during your leisure time and at work.
Just to rule out an intoxication.

[vega1318]

It is possible that you're losing your hair due to some hormonal imbalance.  How about your diet?  Are you vitamin deficient?  Do you diet regularly?  Has your thyroid been checked?

In terms of muscle cramps after a long drive -- have they checked your legs for any evidence of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)?  

[disabledcoastie]

Snoopy,

I just wanted to post and wish you the very best of luck.  Personally I'm at a loss, though it seems that something neurologically has run amok.  As far as the depression goes I know how you feel.  I'm a 36 y/o man that is totally and permantly disabled.  I have a 14 month old son as well as 3 other children.  The fact that I'll never be able to throw a ball with my son, or teach him how to shoot a basketball, I could go on and on, but you get the idea, is soooo depressing.  I'm currently seeing a shrink myself and take 3 different anti-depressants.  Hang in there you'll have good and bad days emotionally.  Get you a support system and hopefully you have a good friend you can talk to.  Best of luck.