a bunch of MS-like symptoms

[patsmad]

Last May, I experienced a raw sensation in my arms and trunk that developed into
a burning feeling (felt almost exactly like a sunburn) in the back of my neck, trunk, and back. This lasted continuously for 2

[patsmad]

All of my symptoms definitely correspond to Lyme symptoms, but what about the buzzing/tingling experience I have when I bend my neck down (L'hermitte's sign)? That's a 'classic' symptom of MS, and how could it be caused by Lyme? You'd think that something is in my spinal column that gets irritated by movement, and that doesn't sound like Lyme. Again, all three of my cervical MRIs are negative. I'm very confused...

[sally456]

I do have many of the symptoms on the list...actually all of my symptoms that i have are on that list...
I did have a spinal tap years ago when they were testing for ms..it was  normal, but i know they werent thinking lyme and probably didnt look for it..But would something have shown up if it were lyme??
I am going to an internist for a physical and want him to test for lyme..what kind of test do I ask for???

[bengalcats]

Hi here is a long list of my symptoms that have me worried to death.
bladder spasms
visual disturbances with a gray line down my visual field
muscle weakness and pain
joint and bone pain
weird numbness between my toes
vaginal numbness
extreme itching with no cause to it under my jaw
headaches nearly daily
weird sensations in my brain like its short circuiting
electrical zaps down my spine
senations in different parts of my body that feel swollen but arent really
hand and leg tingling
neck pain
constipation
there are many more i could list, I get flairups of different things several times a year and I do not have all the above symptoms at one time. I do feel that I have MS but my dr said no. I had 3 MRI, ct scan tons of blood work,eeg ect. everything was normal except for my last mri that said I have a arachnoid cyst but was told not to worry about it and there were also a few bright punctate t-2 bright signal foci in the white subcortical white matter bilaterally. does anyone know what this means? please help you can email me at ***@****.
i am terrified this has been going on for so many years. i am desperate for communication.

[jan]

Hi Sally,

In the other thread you asked what my symptoms were that made them suspect MS.  I posted my answer there.

I should add that I have dysautonomia and am being treated for it (neurocardiogenic syncope) and Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, Interstitial Cystitis (and frequent UTI's), Spondyloarthropathy of the C-spine, IBS (possible colitis), atypical migraines, and 2 different skin diseases (Grover's Disease and Granuloma Annulare), costochondritis, and arthritis.

Quite awhile ago a neuro on this site suggested I get tested for mitochondrial disorder, but I didn't.  I met a girl online who was my twin as far as diagnoses and she had it.  When she told me they only treat the symptoms I thought, why should I get tested that's what they do for me now.

I have had 9 MRI's, because I've seen more than a few neuros and they all suspected the MS.  3 lesions showed on my 1st in '98 and no more ever popped up, other than on EEG where another showed up.  My last, I am guessing, was a couple years ago and my neuro wants to do another next month.

[patsy10]

Sally, lyme has been around for a long time.  It just became recognized, I think in the 80's in Lyme Ct.  If untreated, it can go into remission and come back later or can persist.  Some people are severely ill and bedridden or in a wheel chair, others are walking around with a bunch of weird symptoms that no doctor has been able to diagnose.  What generally happens is people end up with diagnoses like fibromyalgia because nothing shows on testing.  Fibromyalgia is a group of symptoms with no known cause.  It's not really a disease.  It's a syndrome.

I do think having another brain MRI would be a good idea.  If it's negative then you don't have MS.  I've  had 2 of them 6 months apart, both normal, yet I have terrible neurologic symptoms.  I know it's easier said than done.  I still am obsessed with MS like you are even though 3 neuro's said I don't have it. Then what is causing all these weird symptoms?

I'm not saying you have Lyme. I'm no doctor, but just something to think about.

[sally456]

My spelling is harrible...sorry i should have read before submitting...its the third toe on left where just the tip is a little bit numb...and i have had night sweats for years, numbness in tip of right index finger..also very mild..and somtimes a little numbness in right knee cap...I also think my hair falls out alot...but i have such think hair you cant notice and when i went to the dermotologist he thought i was nuts...but you should see how much hair actually does fall out...i saw this was a symptom of lyme..but its so hard to believe thats what i have since i started with bladder problems 18 years ago!!!Was lyme even around then...