Hey all,
This is my first post on this site and i'm hoping to get some input. I am an extremely athletic pre-med student (29) that ironically was planning on going into neurosurgery... after the last 2 months i'm not sure anymore. I'm currently spinning my wheels with the doctors trying to figure out what might be going on and to be honest im starting to lean to MS. I realize that the condition shares similar symptoms to a whole host of others so im trying to keep this in perspective.
About 7 weeks ago my Dermatologist decided to get me on a low dose of Accutane for a mild case of acne. Two weeks in I was forced to stop due to severe vertigo and vomiting sessions a few mornings. In hindsight im not sure it was the medication since its now over a month later and the symptoms have only progressed and gotten worse.
Blurred vision, eye pressure, inability to read or concentrate developed shortly after. Its like that groggy feeling in the morning never goes away and is laced with dizziness and nausea. I actually went to the ER a couple weeks ago with a severe vertigo upon waking at 4am. MRI, carotid ultrasound, host of blood tests... nothing found... they shipped me home after 7 hours with a fist full of anti-nausea meds.
Now, in the last 2 weeks this has added numbing limbs, chest, and a general weakness. The growing level of fatigue, and muscle weakness I am feeling is what is prompting this writing this morning. I can only liken it to the experience of Mononucleosis I had in High School...
I'm just confused by how quickly this is developing and progressing. I also want to note that the symptoms come in waves on an hourly basis or so... where I can feel slightly (not completely by any means) better for a time and fall into an "episode" with no warning. Always so much worse in the morning when I first wake up...

Any feedback would be appreciated. I have an appointment with my primary in 2 weeks (hes currently enjoying a vacation) and I was hoping for some advice on things I could ask to make sure we get the right tests etc. I plan on asking for a Neurologist referral. At least I should have an initial MRI on file from the ER visit....

Thanks all for your time and attention. Any advice would be appreciated.
B

Welcome to NT, CB.

I am so sorry you are ill. It sounds miserable and more urgent than waiting 2 weeks to have someone f/u on the ER visit. Can you see an Internist or get on your primary's cancellation list?

I can't say that it is or isn't MS but I'd think again about Accutane. It has nasty side effects. I am surprise that a dermatologist put you on it for "mild acne."

Best to you,
ANN

Hello Clancybenjamin,

Welcome to NT. What a concern it must be to have the symptoms you describe; and I'm so sorry that you are going through this, especially without any answers yet.

I agree with Ann, and think that you should not wait to get something going in the way of andiagnosis. It sounds like some sort of disruption in the neuro-immune complex and although some of what you describe does occur in MS, the same symptoms also occur in many other situations with an immune and/or neurological link.

I hope that you can obtain some medical attention sooner rather than later, and that an easy treatment can be found to reverse your discomfort.
Please keep us posted.

With love, Erika

Hi CB, nice to meet you.

Pre-Med is a hard road to go in the best of health, but with the fatigue of a Neurological illness, it will be tougher.

I hope you find a good Neuro to help you in your DX journey and here's hoping, it's just a pinched nerve.

Welcome to our NeoroTalk Forum.