What could be causing this numbness

[Mybe]

LIST OF SYMPTOMS

numb from trunk down

cold burning pain

cold electrical shocking shoots of pain when touched

the muscles where i'm numb are stiff, not to the touch, but to the usability. my fingers are hard to bend, legs hard to pick up and move forward ect..

the itching in the numb places feels like bugs crawling inside me underneath the skin, no relief when itched, (driving me insane)

not really able to poop

no balance, no stability

dizziness

gagging

throw up if too much activity around me or too much moving myself around

uncontrollable shaking

significant loss of function in my hands

double vision only when i look to the far left now

clenching my jaw tight making my teeth hurt

really tense everywhere

slurred speech

sometimes can't even think straight to say what i'm trying to say

lower back ache

extremely cold hands and feet

loss of a lot of weight

loss of appetite, (i still eat though)

i'm 29, smoker for 4 years. depression and anxiety is present

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
I's good to hear that you are feeling better. It is really difficult for some to understand if they are not familiar with a certain condition. You can try to read more about MS and print the information so that you can give this to your family. Or you can also bring them to your next doctor appointment so that they will be involved. There is a forum here in Medhelp about MS and you can join in their discussions. This type of support group will also help. Continue taking your medications and hope to hear from you soon. Take care always.

[Mybe]

Hi Rowena,

I'm trying to find people who are understanding and supporting. Family is good but they can only understand so far. They lack the knowing what it is like.

I understand I got the best circumstances for this condition.
And here is the MRI report. Well, what little report i have possession of... it might tell you how bad/good it was. It personally doesn't tell me anything or much at all other than the simple fact he found some scarring there. It doesn't tell me how bad it is.

MRI brain: there are extensive periventricular, brainstem, and posterior fossa white matter abnormalities, which are consistent with a demyelinating process.
MRI spine: there are multiple foci of t2 signal abnormality within the cervical and partially visualized upper thoratic spinal cord, compatible with a demyelinating process.

I did receive a call Wednesday saying I am low on vitamin D. They gave me a prescription for 50,000 iu. for once a week.

And stress and anxiety definitely intensifies the symptoms and sure as hell doesn't help the emotional impact having the disease has on you to begin with, i.e., worries/doubts. So, I have been trying really really hard to avoid any and all stressful situations. Or remove myself as soon as I'm feeling an affect.

Still awaiting both medications.


Feeling a little better these days. Numbness is not as severe. It's the stiffness in my legs and fingers thats really the only bothersome symptom.
:-)

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
I do understand how you are feeling right now. I agree with staying and being positive about this. Surround your self with your support group, your family and friends. As I mentioned in my previous post, the excellent prognosis for MS include females (check), people who were young, less than 30 years when the disease started  (check), people with infrequent attacks (check), with a relapsing-remitting pattern and who have limited disease on imaging studies ( i have to ask you about this) . This and your medicines paints a good outlook.  Controlling your anxiety will also avoid any room for  doubts and worries. You also mentioned about vitamin D testing, when would you take the tests?  Be strong and stay positive always.

[Mybe]

Hi,
At first I was pretty depressed about it and felt like my life was over. All my dreams and goals I had in life wont be accomplished. But I guess thats not so true.

I just have to keep telling myself positive things and focus on the good things I still have left.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you feeling? Good thing about MS is that there are therapies that may slow the disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and help you maintain your normal activities. Copaxone or glatiramer acetate is approved for treating MS. Steroids may also be used to decrease the severity of attacks. Support groups are  invaluable.  The best outlook are females, people who were young (less than 30 years) when the disease started, people with infrequent attacks, with a relapsing-remitting pattern and who have limited disease on imaging studies. Yes, the mystery is solved, and it's another chapter of your life but will just be here for you along the way. Take care always.

[Mybe]

Hi, I had my second opinion today. She says I have MS too. The results for the Lyme disease is negative.

I was given information on Copaxone. It's a shot I'll have to give myself daily. But because this stuff costs $2000 a month, I had to fill out an application to the company that makes it. They help people who can't afford it.

I did the same thing with the company who makes Paxil (the anti-depressant). I should be getting that soon.

The Copaxone will take up to 10-12 weeks to get on it.

I was told that there isn't really anything for the numbness. Some type of steroid could help but they both said that they think it will go away on it's own.

They want me to get my vitamin D tested. I guess it's pretty common for people with MS to have a vitamin D deficiency.

So I guess this is it. The mystery is solved.

This Medhelp site is a really nifty concept. I'm glad it's here.
And thank you Rowena for being here.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Please do get a second opinion about the MS. Are you close to animals? Lyme disease is an bacterial infection which is transmitted to animals and man through the bite of infected ticks. What is good about this is that Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. take care and do keep us posted with the tests.

[Mybe]

Well the dr found MS legions in my brain and spine. then i got a call saying that my blood work showed positive for lymes disease.. geeze. he is going to send me to another dr to get a second opinion about the MS. And tomorrow i go in for more blood work and a ct scan to get checked out more for lymes disease.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
That's great news! You probably had your MRI by now. And I'm really happy that the doctors are very thorough and they have scheduled your next follow-up within the next 2 weeks. Hang on and we will soon know the bottom of this.

With regards to cervical cancer, symptoms may  include vaginal bleeding (after intercourse, between periods or after menopause); watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor; and pelvic pain or pain during intercourse. You can have another colposcopy done after these consultations to ease your mind. For now, surround your self with fun and loving people because it can really help.
Take care always.

[Mybe]

Wow these people were on the ball! They wanted to know everything. They were very thorough.

Nothing is wrong with my eyes. Dr. said he thinks it's my neck. But he wants me to get checked for MS.  Because when he checked the reflexes in my right foot he didn't like the spazz it did. i don't like it either its annoying! but there are other things it could be too.

MRI and blood work this week! THIS WEEK!!! haha not another month from now.. thats great! and my next appt is the 27th!!

they reassured me they will get to the bottom of it all. They will take care of me!!!!
He said I don't have to wait ANYMORE! That he is sorry i have had to wait this long.

and Doc said he could see I have depression as clear as he was looking at me...lol
so as soon as we figure this out i gotta get on anti depressants.  THANK GOD!

he was shocked at how much weight i've lost in the time that i lost it. he asked if i was bulimic. i'm not... i've never made myself purposely throw up. he told me to cont. taking vitamins.




------------------------------------------------
My info..

Sunday, Jan 24th @ 9:45 MRI at MSU Radiology
Wednesday, Jan 27th @ 12pm follow up with Dr Kaufman at MSU Neuro-Ophthalmology
Wednesday, Feb 3rd @ 10:30am follow up with PCP Dr. Pathak at St. Lawrence

not sure when to go get more blood work done but before the 24th anywhere i choose

[Mybe]

3 months now that i've been numb. i'm afraid that the longer i have to wait for diagnosis and treatment the less chance i have of recovery.

[Mybe]

The only update I have is that the people from MSU neuro-ophthalmology called with an appointment. It isnt until January 20th at 8:20am and she told me to prepare being there for 3 to 4 hours. I will be getting a packet in the mail to fill out and bring with me.

This is what I meant when I said all appointments are a month apart.

I still have not called a therapist. I'm scared to.

I'm not on any medications. But I'm pretty sure the buzzing/vibrating feeling is part of the nerve problem. And actually i was playing around with it too see exactly where i felt it and it is stronger upper back and behind arms. it goes all the way down to the feet  but it gets fainter as it goes down. not a big deal, it dont hurt or anything. i don't bend my chin to my chest very often..lol so its not something that gets noticed or annoying.

I was wondering if cervical cancer could cause all this? i have HPV. last time i got checked it was very small traces of abnormal cells. but i have to get another cloposcopy. my first cloposcopy came back as clear (no cervical cancer).
i know totally different subject. just wondering, hoping not, that it doesn't have anything to do with it.

but a tad bit good news is i've been getting out of the house. i visited with mom all day thursday and friday i visited my ex mother in law to help her bake a bunch of cookies. it was fun, nice and it so helps my depression being out, around fun/loving people. my back was hurting soooo bad baking cookies but i was able to sit when i needed to.

i am going to beg my boyfriend to go with me to the neuro-ophthalmology appointment. he'll be able to understand what they tell me. i wanted another set of ears with a brain to go with me. lol
but with him and me there we will surely get some answers.
plus he will be better at asking questions than i will.

[Dr Santos]

Hello,

How are you? Were you able to visit  with your therapist and neuro-opthalmologist? Any updates? With regards to your vibrating muscles in the back of your arms, this may  be caused by your medicines or as part of the nerve problem.  Just try to avoid the trigger like bending. Do keep us posted with the appointments since we need to find out results from additional tests to determine the diagnosis. Take care always.

[Mybe]

another thing i forgot to list is "buzzing" or "vibrating" feeling in the back of my arms when i bend my head down.

[Mybe]

Not much was told to me at the eye dr's.. what i gather from what she was telling me is that there is no damage but looks like a weak muscle. I am under the impression that something neurological could cause the nerves in the eyes to make the muscles weak. I wish i knew more. But i think that is why she is referring me over to the neuro ophthalmologist.

The meds that my doctor had me on were (generic) hydroxyzine for anxiety and citalopram for the depression. She said to stop taking the citalopram, that it was what she thinks caused the double vision. She told me i could still take the hydroxyzine but i explained to her that when i take it, it does not help at all. And it made me shake and feel even worse. So i told her that i stopped that one too.

I've been on an anti depressant before years ago. it was paxil and it worked just fine. i asked her if i could get put on that but she said my health plan doesn't cover it. and she doesn't want me on any more until we find out if this is neurological.

i have a therapist in mind. i've been thinking about calling him. i just haven't yet.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
I know it is hard to be in the dark and not knowing the underlying cause. But be strong and hang on. You still have yourself, your family and friends to think about. Your family and boyfriend are also there to help.  You are right in maintaining your nutrition. This is already a positive start. Can you elaborate on your first eye check-up? And what medicines were stopped?  If these medicines can not help. Try other options like counseling or therapy to ease your depression and anxiety. Have an open communication with your doctor. Talk to her about your symptoms and what your feelings are. Take care always and do keep us posted with your appointment with the neuro-opthalmologist. Best regards.

[Mybe]

hi, thanks for commenting

the doc told me to stop taking the meds. she said that is what was causing the double vision. the fact that it hasn't completely gone away yet suggests to her that maybe it is caused by something else. but still did not want me on anymore meds till i got my eyes checked. i will be seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist when ever they call with the appointment.

been feeling this way with the numbness since the beginning of october.
the vertigo since april, but not as bad as it was.

been to the emergency room, urgent care, and two doctor visits plus an eye exam...
i'm not getting any answers or anything to help alleviate the symptoms. my life has come to a halt. i'm getting really frustrated living like this.

the only thing i know to do is make sure i'm getting enough calories and nutrients. so i have been drinking ensure and making sure i at least eat something everyday.

every appointment i get is a month apart  and i don't know what to do in the meantime but just sit at home and research the internet looking for answers.

i really need to be put on anti depressants. before all this even happened i was looking into getting on some.
when i first seen her about this, her initial thought was that it was caused by a chemical imbalance. so she immediately put me on those meds and told me i'd feel better in 20 days. but then the double vision so she took me off of them.

honestly i don't know whats worse...the loss of function of my body or the depression. i cry all the time and my thoughts are driving me crazy.

while i wait for the next available appointment, i live in misery and just beg god to take me already. its not like me. i'm normally a bubbly, smiley person. and my boyfriend is getting frustrated with me, my mom and family are so scared for me and have never seen me this sad.

the doc doesn't even know everything that i'm experiencing. i wrote a list of all my symptoms to give to her but she wouldn't even look at it.

she just wanted to hear about the double vision, which was a new symptom. and i was like what about everything else! scheduled me an eye appointment and now they are scheduling me with a neuro-ophthalmology appointment. i am hoping that there i will get some answers.

i am glad i found this site, i have read similar conditions so i've been reading what is said to them too.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Numbness and cold extremities highly suggest nerve-related problems. No balance and stability and dizziness may be due to ear/eye problem or vertigo. It is best that you have these symptoms evaluated further for proper management. Your medical history and complete physical and neurological examination are important. Continue any medications for your anxiety and depression if you have. Take care and do keep us posted.