numb

Question

what type of neurological syndrome could cause trouble swallowing, numbness in lips, tongue and lower face?

DrSharma · Accepted Answer

Hi there. I read both your posts and your symptoms are suggestive of a chronic neurological disorder called multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating neurological disorder where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. You have many of these symptoms. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI and a spinal tap. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Take care.

kimark5 · Answer

Also, My doctors just keep telling me that they have no clue what these symptoms are and here's another pill. I already break out in hives regularly and the majority of the meds they put me on either make me very tired and out of it or make my hives even worse.

Is there anything that you can suggest I tell my doctor so I don't get more pills shoved at me for no reason?

Kim

kimark5 · Answer

Thank you for responding. Not really what I wanted to hear, but at least maybe some answers to what has been happening. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on. I have restless leg disorder along with periodic limb movements that seem to also be getting worse unless I take a Xanax at bed. I was very active and now seem to just want to sleep because when I am awake I don't feel right. 

I thank you.

Kim

kimark5 · Answer

Thank you for answering. No I haven't had any trauma to neck or back. I seem to get this later in the evening and it feels like a lump is in my throat and I cannot swallow.I also have like head/neck spasms when I eat sometimes (sounds weird but drives my husband nuts, well me to!) and it is very embarrassing. It is all just starting and is weird.

mary_kbrtk · Answer

...it could be many things.  first, have you had any trauma to your neck or back? if so, you can have a slipped disc pinching a nerve or restricting blood flow through your vessels. the other could be MS.