[dshesq]

Okay, I admit that I'm a bit overprotective at times, but as I told my 18 year-old daughter, I'd rather that she was put on ABCs as early as possible if she has MS or probable MS. I don't want her to languish for years while doctors tell her she's crazy and obsessive about weird symptoms and end up disabled like me.

She's had odd neuro-type symptoms before, and I've even taken her to the eye doctor over pains in her eyes (fortunately, negative for ON). But for the last two days she's had an electrical pulse in her leg about every five seconds. It doesn't make her leg jump, but it's there constantly.

Is it time to pursue something with her doctor, or do I just wait this out?

Thanks

[Victor H]

Darah,

I would demand action from the neurologist. One of the DMD's should be used.

-Vic

[ewizabeth]

I'd get her checked out. Has she had MRI's yet? Can you get her in with your MS neurologist?

[Nancy T]

I have this same symptom frequently--a pulsing electric sensation every few seconds, which will occur for maybe half an hour several times through a day or more.

However, once I found a whole giant message board of dozens and dozens and dozens people (not with MS, not with any other disease, not with any other symptoms suggestive of MS--in other words, "normal" people) who had the exact same thing happening!

Lots of people get odd sensations. They don't necessarily mean MS. So I wouldn't get alarmed right away. It's not an emergency, in any case--why not wait a bit and see what happens? Maybe it will go away and never return.

If she has any other significant problems or symptoms that are real red flags for MS (which this one isn't), you can always go to the doctor then. Or just call your doctor now and see what he/she thinks. I doubt any neurologist is going to be very concerned about that one symptom.

Of course, I don't know what other symptoms she's had... maybe if taken all together they would warrant a visit to a neurologist?

Given your experience, both you and your daughter are likely to be extra worried about symptoms (with good reason). But you have to be careful about jumping to scary conclusions and causing your daughter to do the same. This medical stuff is tricky--it's SO easy to jump to dire conclusions, to want to take immediate and forceful action, and those things aren't always clearly the right way to go. Your daughter and her symptoms may be completely different from you.

Good luck! Hopefully you have a good doctor (neuro and/or GP) who listens, takes things seriously, and can steer you in the right direction.

Nancy T.

[lady_express_44]

It could be some sort of spinal irritation/bacterial infection/virus, Lyme, pinched/trapped nerve, Chiari, Syringomyela, Transverse Myelitis . . . or many other conditions. Since it is only ONE symptom though, it doesn't sound like anything too serious is going on.

It wouldn't be L'hirmettes, because it isn't related to moving her head forward, and it is happening constantly. If this is the only symptom (and unless that changes!!), it doesn't sound like a MS-spine related problem either. (Spinal lesions/conditions aren't this "kind" . . . at least not for longer then a few days before all HE11 usually breaks loose)

I have had the electrical shocks from MS, and they are normally triggered by movement, like walking. When that occurs, they shoot up from the heal up the back of the calve. (I've had them without walking too, but they don't last for long ~ like a minute, once in a blue moon ~ when that happens.) Either way, there are plenty more symptoms that come on at the same time when it is MS-related.

I appreciate your concern for your daughter, but you know the drill already. Even if it is MS, they they would need to find lesions, and she would need to experience two "attacks". If this is related to MS, THIS lesion would be located in her spine which are notoriously hard to spot on a MRI, unless they are very large.

If I were you (and I have reason to be concerned about my daughter as well, so I understand your fear), I would not be jumping to conclusions about this being MS, based on this one symptom and nothing else apparent. It is more likely a pinched nerve or something, so you might want to try massaging her spine and/or leg to see if she notices anything else.

If not, and if it doesn't let up, then take her to her GP as they might like to do an Xray or perhaps even Evoked Potentials (I think that's what it is they might do . . . ).

Cherie

[dshesq]

Thanks for all of the input. Her symptom added a new dimension yesterday when she told me that her leg "didn't feel right"--it wasn't exactly numb, but it didn't seem like she had full sensation in it either. In the past she's had odd symptoms reminiscent of MS, but never anything that caused me to insist on medical evaluation (other than the eye pain). At the time I posted them on the "other board", but I don't think the archives go back that far so I can't really track them down, and my daughter doesn't remember any of them.

My neuro's nurse (after 20 years of dealing with MS patients, she's really good with reality checks and the info she has on MS) returned my call yesterday and said that we should start with a work-up by her doctor (pediatrician specializing in adolescents) and see where to go from there. Winnie (the nurse) told me that they could do a full neuro work-up on her ASAP after that if it seemed to be warranted.

My heightened sensitivity to her symptoms was validated by the nurse. While she didn't want me dragging my daughter immediately upon having a strange symptom, she did agree that it's wise to be tuned in to those symptoms because a dx and treatment early in the disease process (if it's there) substantially improves the prognosis.

Now I just have to figure out when I can get her to the doctor . . . being 18, one month from high school graduation, working and playing soccer doesn't leave much time for things like doctor's appointments!

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

I hope it turns out be nothing more than too much soccer! And maybe thyroid/hormone imbalance, Darah! I know...kick me!

But you are a wise mom to get her checked out!

Keep us posted...you know we all care about Kenzie!

[dshesq]

Originally Posted by Av8rgirl

I hope it turns out be nothing more than too much soccer! And maybe thyroid/hormone imbalance, Darah! I know...kick me!

But you are a wise mom to get her checked out!

Keep us posted...you know we all care about Kenzie!

My legs are too spastic to kick you effectively!

Maybe I'll put Kenzie to work on it!

[SallyC]

What a cute name...Kenzie. She couldn't possible have MS, with such a sweet name. I have spoken, but check her out just in case.

My 37 yr old DD has been DX with MS, but has been in remission for the last 4 years.

I hope all turns out well for you and Kenzie..

[weegot5kiz]

i dont think waiting is even a possiblity, i worry about my kids too and understand the over protective part of it, but like you said, being dx'ed is a long drawn out process, and yeah the docs do tend to blame us for being nuts or making it up, so i would say the sooner you get her tested, the sooner you can either rule out certain neuro illnesses or unfortunately rule one in, your daughter and you are in my prayers and thoughts, hang in there mom