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Does this sound like MS?

I really noticed it about 3 months ago, but looking back I can sort of see isolated incidents that indicated this was coming. I have disequilibrium and a + Romberg with eyes close (some sway with eyes open). I've had fasiculations for quite some time now, and they preceded the symptoms by a while. They are also all over my body. I'm 29, and terrified over what this could be. At this point, it's all I can think about. That means that every little thing that happens I wonder if its a symptom. I know it's very tough to diagnose anything over the internet, and I'm not asking for that, but does anyone have an idea? Also, has anyone experienced symptoms like this? I'm not falling down, I just perceive disequilibrium when I am on my feet and it causes me to sway.
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987762 tn?1671273328
COMMUNITY LEADER
I just remembered you'd mentioned in one of your other posts that you experience Migraines, your Migraines could end up being the answer to what's has been happening because Migraines are actually one of the common causes of dizziness and 'if' you are experiencing something like migraine associated vertigo (MAV) it could even explain your Romberg....

"Clinical examination. Most patients with MAV exhibit a normal neurological examination but may show unsteadiness on Romberg testing. "
http://practicalneurology.com/2009/09/PN0909_02.php/

Btw many medications used to treat seizures, depression, anxiety, and pain affect the vestibular system and the central nervous system and can produce vertigo and disequilibrium, so it might be worth checking out the side effects of the prescriptions and or over-the-counter meds that you've been taking.

A common issue with the medical labels used to identify the dizzy sensation is that whilst each label has a different identifying description and associated causation, the labels are often used interchangeably...

"Dizziness can be classified into four main types: vertigo, disequilibrium, presyncope, or lightheadedness. Although appropriate history and physical examination usually leads to a diagnosis, the final cause of dizziness is not identified in up to one in five patients.4,5"

"Vertigo

False sense of motion, possibly spinning sensation

Disequilibrium

Off-balance or wobbly

Presyncope

Feeling of losing consciousness or blacking out

Lightheadedness

Vague symptoms, possibly feeling disconnected with the environment"
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0815/p361.html

"Vertigo is an abnormal sensation of motion. It can occur in the absence of motion or when a motion is sensed inaccurately. Spinning vertigo is usually of inner ear origin.

Disequilibrium is a sensation of impending fall or of the need to obtain external assistance for proper locomotion. It is sometimes described as a feeling of improper tilt of the floor, or as a sense of floating. This sensation can originate in the inner ear or other motion sensors, or in the central nervous system.

Positional vertigo is a sensation of spinning that occurs after the patient's head has moved to a new position with respect to gravity."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK228/

It is probably worth talking to your dr about the 'possibility' that your Migraines could be one explanation and if that is the case there will be various treatment options that would work best for your Migraine associated symptoms for you to consider.

Hope that helps......JJ
Helpful - 0
987762 tn?1671273328
COMMUNITY LEADER
No sorry, there's nothing specific to my knowledge.....in general isolated muscle pain could be something or absolutely nothing, it's not that hard to strain or cause tendon inflammation in your arms eg lifting or pushing something heavy, falling, exercising, sports, repetitive or prolonged activities placing strain on the triceps tendon, overuse etc etc most of the time there is a simple cause and effect to the why of muscle pain....

You could try applying an ice pack which is suppose to  help decreasing pain and or swelling but if it doesn't start loosening up and start feeling better in a day or so you'll need to get it checked out by your dr.

Hope that helps......JJ
Helpful - 0
987762 tn?1671273328
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome,

I gather you've not as yet been diagnosed with anything specific since your asking the same question in other communities....

Romberg test information:

"Stance and Gait
Steven McGee MD, in Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis (Third Edition), 2012

b Definition of Positive Romberg Sign
One problem with Romberg sign is that various authors define the positive test differently: Some state that it is the increased swaying that occurs when the eyes close, while others require the patient to be on the verge of falling down.28 Increased swaying alone seems inadequate, because most normal persons sway more when they close their eyes, as do patients with vestibular, cerebellar, and Parkinson disease.30

The best definition of a positive Romberg sign is inability to stand for 60 seconds with the feet together and the eyes closed. In one study, every healthy person and over half of the patients with cerebellar ataxia could maintain this position for 60 seconds, whereas half of the patients with sensory ataxia lasted only 10 seconds before beginning to topple over.31"
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/rombergs-test

"The Romberg’s test can be positive under 2 circumstances: genuinely positive i.e., when the person has ataxia and false positive report. The reason for the occurrence of positive report under both situations is described below:

Causes of Positive Romberg’s Test Result

Inherited Causes for Positive Romberg Test:

Autosomal dominant sensory neuropathy with scoliosis and deafness

Autosomal dominant sensory ataxic neuropathy

Posterior column ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa

Friedrich’s ataxia

Autosomal dominant posterior column ataxia

Cerebellar atrophy of late onset

Ataxia associated with progressive external ophthalmoplegia

Biemond syndrome (posterior column ataxia)

Metabolic and Toxic Causes for Positive Romberg Test:

Vitamin E deficiency

Thiamine deficiency

Pyridoxine excess

Vitamin B12 deficiency – subacute combined degeneration of the cord (SACD)

Drugs – Taxol, Cisplatin, semi synthetic penicillin

Immunological and Other Causes of Positive Romberg Test:

Sjogren’s syndrome

Idiopathic sensory neuropathy

Tabes dorsalis (classical cause)

Paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy

Guillain- Barre syndrome (Miller Fischer variant)

Compressive lesion involving dorsal columns

Multiple hamartoma and neoplasia syndrome (Cowden Syndrome)

Causes of False Positive Romberg’s Test:

Hysteria

Labyrinthine disease

Conclusion
Romberg’s test is a simple diagnostic test which is sensitive in nature and used to pinpoint to sensory ataxia in a patient with balance and postural issues. It is indicated in patients with imbalance, dizziness, and falls."
https://www.epainassist.com/test-and-procedures/what-is-a-romberg-test-and-what-can-cause-a-positive-romberg-test

You said "I've had fasiculations for quite some time now, and they preceded the symptoms by a while. They are also all over my body." Fasiculations all over the body would generally be a red flag 'pointing away' from neurological conditions like MS because of the way symptoms caused by lesions in the brain and or spinal cord present and develop over time....

To be honest i can't think of anything serious that would just cause a positive Romberg's and none of the other inter-related symptoms, what did your test results uncover?

Hope that helps.....JJ
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Thank you. It does help. Would muscle pain indicate anything in your opinion? Right now my right tricep is hurting and it's not something I'm used to.
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