Originally Posted by Ticktockphantom

Hi; I know this question has probably been asked a zillion times, but I am wondering if anyone has experienced similar symptoms. About a month ago I suddenly developed a tingling in my fingers and toes. I am middle aged and have had no other previous symptoms or health problems other than possibly chronic migraine (my GP and neurologist don't quite agree on the diagnosis) and very occasional mild psoriasis. On a Sunday I went to bed thinking that my fingers felt a little strange and woke up with the tingling. This did not change much over the next five days and I did not worry too much about it because I already had a neurology appointment scheduled in relation to my headaches for a week from Tuesday. By the following Sunday, my toes and fingers felt sort of thick, I was experiencing pain when I typed or used my fingers much, my feet felt heavy when I walked for any length of time, and I noticed some slackening of my mouth on the left side. This progressed to include a sporadic twitchy feeling in my left eye and sporadic nearsightedness. On Tuesday I went to the neurologist who told me it was probably anemia (which made no sense to me). He prescribed a low dose of gabapentin (starting with 100 mg and increasing to 300 mg over 9 days), ordered nerve/motor testing, a head MRI, and blood work. Over the next few days my mouth worsened to the point that I could not give an open mouth smile, I was dribbling food and drink from my mouth, biting the inside of my mouth when I tried to eat, and had a hard time pronouncing words (even my 8 yr old son noticed). Then the mouth and eye symptoms quickly improved over a few days and are totally gone (all together they did not last more than a week). My toes and fingers have not changed much, but I do have some pain and I have noticed that in my right hand (which is worse than my left), I have some loss of dexterity. I also started getting sporadic buzzing sensations in my neck. Other than one probable migraine headache about 2.5 weeks ago, I haven't had any headaches (this could be the gabapentin).

My MRI came back normal. I had a nerve conduction study which the neurologist was "surprised" to find showed evidence of demylenating (sp?) polyneuropathy; she then did an EMG but didn't find any muscle weakness. I have had various blood tests (B-12, thyroid, glucose, folic acid, iron, not sure about the rest, I will request a print out); they all came back normal except a slightly low vitamin D (29). I was directed to take an additional vitamin D supplement besides the multivitamin). I discussed the results with the neurologist's PA and she ordered an additional thyroid test and lyme disease test but didn't think either was likely--don't know the results yet. She increased the gabapentin to 500 mg a day as I was experiencing pain still when I use my fingers (and occasionally when I don't). I also have a lumbar puncture scheduled next week which I was told was to rule out CIPD. Any suggestions for additional tests or experience with similar symptoms would be appreciated.

Thanks