neurological symptoms.do these sound like something serious?

[suz777]

im 25, female (UK).ive had fatigue,problem with adapting to temperature,dizzyness,hypoglemic symptoms for 3yrs.used to be overweight.problems started after losing 70lb(ive put 14lb back on+still feel awful).i have many symptoms so i have no idea where to start!i had blood tests,all clear.i seemed to be getting better after moving to a big city last summer,so i put my 'illness'down to depression+fatigue,i wasnt happy where i was before.but over last 3 months ive developed new symptoms.i had bad flu like symptoms.they come and go.ive had this'sinus pain' over my cheeks,in my nose and ears.my head feels so stuffy,full+heavy.however,ENT doctor did CT scan and it was so clear except for inflammation of nasal bone(it hurts so much in my nose).the front part the brain was clear(the scan didnt show all the brain).ENT doc suspects allergy, but im worried its something serious.i never used to get headache,now i get headaches.in february they were daily, now they occur much less often+usually only after ive had alcohol(note:i do love to drink..).headaches mainly behind eyes(esp. right eye which is sensitive to light+sometimes hurts when i press it..it feels pressured+weaker than left.pupil is about 1mm larger than left pupil and more noticable in dim light,in sunlight they're equal)saw 2 eye docs,both said eyes ok.i have puffy eyes,nausea,neck pain,my heart and chest feels different,i hiccup a lot,ive had 3 colds since Feb,my throat is sometimes sore+ive noticed my uvula seems big and points to the right..ive heard this is a serious neurological sign.should i see a neuro or allergist?

[hiddenghost]

My last post above was for sparkie.

Just that I would clarify that.

Though a pillow change is sound advice for all of us who like to feel like royalty while sleeping with our big fluffy pillows.
Thin and firm pillows can help posture.

This isn't always the answer but you can give it a try.

Again I'm not a license doctor so you should consult a licensed doctor when you can.

[hiddenghost]

I am seeing so many posts about headaches that coincide with neck pain or discomfort.

Keep in mind I am not a license doctor.

I can give some advice though.
In another thread I posted a similar answer.

If you have a really thick pillow to sleep on you may want to change. A thin and firm pillow can make your head come closer to a more natural position when your laying on your back.

A thick pillow can prop your head up really high and give an unnatural curve to the vertebrae.
Switching to a thin and firm pillow could be the answer.

I'm not licensed or anything like that, so make sure you consult a licensed doctor too.

[sparkie1]

Someone please help!  I'm in tears everyday from the pain.  I am a 37 year old female, presenting with cervical spondylosis my neuro says.  It started 8 weeks ago when my eyes suddenly started moving side to side uncontrollably by themselves.  It stopped after about 35 seconds but I lost all balance and almost passed out.  I then had a migrane headache and extreme neck pain.  I went to the er, they did a LP and showed nothing. I went to my PCP, he said I had BPPV but the symptoms worsened.  I cannot move my head or my eyes without feeling like I'm being shocked. My eye sockets hurt when I move my eyes and my whole body feels like I've been run over by a truck. I have been having a loss of sensation down the left side of my body, my left arm and leg. Last week I was sent to a Neuro who put me on Flexeril qd pm,and Medrol to help the migraine. (8 weeks with a migrane and severe neck pain) and scheduled an MRI of the Brain/Neck.  The MRI showed my cervical spine is completely strait and I have a small herniated disc between C5 & C6. My hand twiches every so often and I get muscle spasms in my legs so bad my daughter has to rub them out.  My neuro today upped my muscle relaxer to 3x qd and told me to use heat therapy and complete rest.  The base of my head (posterior) crunches every time I move it and my whole body hurts even with the muscle relaxers.  He said the muscle spasms in my neck are causing this. I belive this to a point, but I dont know where else to turn for support.

Does anyone have or had these symptoms at an early (prior do diagnosis) stage of MS?  

Thanks for reading and I anticipate any comments.

Sparkie1

[suz777]

hi paul, thanks for your comments. :) well i went to see a neurologist last week. they examined me (reflexes, looked in my eyes, checked my co-ordination etc..) and could not see anything wrong. i am going for an MRI in the next 2 months. for the time being, they seem to think i have some sort of headache syndrome, similar to migraine/cluster headache.they gave me a lot of anti-inflamatory medicine to take.ive read up on what they suspected and the symptoms don't really sound like mine though so i dont really want to start taking them..my stomach is already delicate!my headahces are not occuring so frequently now. but i have a lot of other symptoms that havent gone away. the weak vision and funny feeling behind my right eye is still very much there, as is the funny pupil.the eye problems are there almost 24/7.all my other symptoms seem to come and go and change every day, sometimes within minutes! i sometimes think i have post viral fatigue, but ive noticed i havent been so fatigued the past few weeks. just really weak and with funny neurological symptoms.i dont know if i can have post viral fatigue, without the fatigue. im just going to wait for my mri and then see..

[trailgaze]

Hi suz777,
           Whats your situation now since you posted this. You said you had a doc's appointment?
Any clearer now?

I thought you may have a form of post viral syndrome which can present similar symptoms such as you described , alegy reactions + twitching muscles + fatigue.
such symptoms can go on for some time with this.

I'm  guessing you're quite a nervous person and get quite anxious about any symptoms which dont feel normal.
I'm exactly the same and have had very similar syptoms over the years that docs can not explain.

Try not to worry and dont get anxious as this often exasperates symptoms, Thats my advise. Im sure your doc has reassured you.

Kind regards,
PaulUK

[POLLY-WOG]

I AM A 32 YR OLD WITH RADIATING ARM PAIN, NUMBNESS AND TINGLING IN ARMS, HANDS, FINGERS, NECK, JAW, FACE, SHOULDERS.  I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN 1992, HAD SEVERE WHIPLASH. THEY FOUND A BULDGING DISC BETWEEN C5-C6 ABOUT 7 YEARS LATER BY CT SCAN. THE EPISODES AS I CALL THEM - SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS LEADING TO ALL THE NUMBNESS AND TINGLING - ARE GETTING MORE FREQUENT AND LASTING LONGER. RECENTLY I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING ALSO. ESOPHOGRAM WAS NEGATIVE BUT CERVICAL SPINE SHOWED DDD AND SPONDYLOSIS BETWEEN C5-C6.  I WENT TO FAMILY DR. TWO TIMES.  HE SAID I WAS MAKING MYSELF ILL AND THAT I WAS SEVERELY DEPRESSED EITHER THAT OR I HAD MS. EITHER WAY, HE SAID HE WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANY FURTHER TESTING. HE WANTED TO PUT ME ON AN ANTI DEPRESSANT. I ASKED FOR AN MRI, HE SAID TO FIND ANOTHER DR TO ORDER IT AND WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM. IF I WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN, I WOULD HAVE TOLD HIM WHAT I THOUGHT.  I WAS SO ANGRY.  HE BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS CRAZY. I KNOW I AN NOT CRAZY. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE REAL. I HAVE VERY LIMITED ROM, I HAVE AREAS ON MY ARMS, NECK, AND SHOULDERS THAT I CAN PINCH HARD AND NOT FEEL A THING. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A CHIRO IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL HELP. I HAVE BEEN TAKING NSAIDS, PAIN KILLERS, AND MUSCLE RELAXERS FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW- BUT SYMPTOMS ARE STILL THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT PERMANANT NERVE OR MUSCLE DAMAGE? IF THERE IS ANYONE WITH ALITTLE ADVICE FOR ME, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

[charley1986]

I'm no expert on anything other than how I feel...but I would go find myself another doctor.  I even think that I wouldn't tell the new doctor anything about the old doctor - I would just start from scratch.  It is unbelievable how some doctors treat you.  My doc was beginning to think that I am some kind of hypochondriac i think because she kept saying "let's keep an eye on it" and I kept going back two or three times a month - I was determined...only b/c what's going on with me is not "normal" and to me that's enough to warrant whatever it takes.....It's really important that we as patients advocate for our health.  I hope you find some answers soon!
Charley

[charley1986]

That's interesting....My cousin was just diagnosed with MS last month and her doc said that there are studies that show MS may be caused by a virus...Let us know how every thing turns out with splenda, etc.... would like to know.  Can't believe this...sitting here typing my chin and lips are now numb.....Any end in sight?.....Peace

[JoOntario]

same symptoms for me after getting a terribe head cold in january.  Dizzy, nausea, numbing across face on left, remaining cold or burning sensations all on right side, right foot and hand get very cold, ear pain on right....have been to ENT, Neurologist (he saw another person same day as me with same symptoms after bad head cold too, figures a virus?...)my next attempt, allergist...i totally understand.  I am currently looking at Splenda (Sweetners), Cipro antibiotics and cortosteriod side effects.

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

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet unfortunetely, as this site is purely educational

Its not clear either that you have a primary neurological problem, although you headaches likely secondary to alcohol. Alcohol is toxic to many parts of the body in excess, and can casue hypoglycemia. The best diagnostoc procedure and treatment for you may be coming off alcohol altogether - if you are having problems, an alcohol treatment program or psychologist would help. Fatigue and adaption to temperature can be signs of thyroid hormone problems.

Asymmetry of the pupils is relatively common in teh general population, and is called 'anisocoria', and as you say, its more noticable in dim light

Deviation of the uvula is not the 'true' neurological signs you are referring to - the uvula is just a piece of soft tissue that hangs from the soft palate. The real sign is deviation of the soft palate which implies muscular weakness of the palate.

Good luck

[charley1986]

I'm 38 yr old - been having mild symptoms (of what I'm not sure)
Tingling/numbness or numb sensation - electrical shock/stinging in left leg but only in two spots on my leg - one on upper thigh and one close to ankle on top of my foot - these "shocks" both happen at the same time and they make me yell - they only last about 2or3 seconds.  Have had this happen several times in the last couple of months.  Have had pain behind my left eye that comes and goes - Brain fog like crazy - although DR says that could be from my thyroid (i'm hypo) and I take antidepressants - amytriptoline (generic elavil). Although I am fairly intelligent I feel stupid when I try to carry on a conversation with anyone b/c I forget what I 'm talking about or can't find the words - also forget names, etc.  I have had slight muscle weakness.  Dr sent me for MRI about 6 months ago - was normal.  Did blood tests, etc. everything normal.  Check reflexes and muscle tone - said everything was fine.  When I told her about the "shocking" sensation, she said that it is probably a pulled muscle or pinched nerve.  Said "we'll keep an eye on it" but to me, she sounded like she was baffled herself.  Anyone have any suggestions. I would appreciate any info.  Thanks!

[suz777]

the docs here are so stingy, youre right.i guess mris are expensive. :( i have an appointment with my doctor on wednesday, im going to ask to get referred to a neurologist.if its allergies, it can wait but if theres something wrong in my brain i want it checked out! although itll probably be weeks until i get to see the neuro.

[Citizen T]

Hmm, you might want to start looking at an MRI brain scan with contrast, just to be safe.   I know in the UK the docs are more stingy when it comes to ordering tests so exaggerate if you must

[suz777]

i took amoxicillin 3 months ago.now you mention it a lot of these funny new symptoms have come on after i took the medicine!

[suz777]

forgot to mention that i get twiches too.in both feet, and in my back.they feel weird+ hard to explain.they give me a little fright and kinda wake me up if that makes sense?these are new symptoms.last year my eyelids twitched a lot but this stopped ages ago.also last year all of my left arm and face was tingly and numb. i went to ER but they said it was nothing.it disappeared in a day.i might as well mention when i get cold my right foot and right hand get cold more than the left and they can quickly go blue. im not sure if this is related as ive had the temperature problems for about 3 years now.also for the past 3 years ive had high anxiety and mood swings. ironically over the past few months ive been happier than ever. my anxiety and mood has been much more stable since i got a new job and moved house, but im still not feeling well physically!sorry my post has been so long.theres still probably symptoms i havent mentioned!id appreciate any help on where i should go from here. thanks!:)

[johnflox]

What antibiotics and meds did you take for your colds, flu, sinus and other illnesses?