[karenreb]

I started to have some pretty intense lower back pain the last week of April 09 which felt like fire 30 seconds after sitting down and continuing till i got up. It then started hurting towards my right lower pelvic region. I went to the back doc (who had no answer) who referred me to a phys therapist who gave me a back brace (whice made it hurt even worse)! Saw Phys Medicine twice, internal med, GP, and a chiropractor twice with no luck, had an MRI of lower back and it showed nothing. Only pain killers that put me to sleep and dont work. All this time getting worse.

Finally a week ago I was @ California Adventure just standing there and my legs felt like they were going numb. Saw a Neurologist who said i had carpel tunnel. The next day both legs, feet and hands would go numb on and off. Finally yesterday I was going numb in both arms just below the elbow, feet, big toe, calf down to ankle, twitching in right index finger, right pinky felt like it had a rubber band tied around it and tingling (that lasted for 5-6 hours), pressure in my temples, and hot flashes in my face and neck, and occasional nausea.

I went to the ER and they diagnosed me with numbness. Huh ya think! Finally today, I was @ my desk typing and felt like my arms were 1000 pounds each. I have also noticed that I am very forgetful @ times. I can forget something in mid conversation, and I am noticing that some of my words are not being pronounced correctly. I am so scared, someone please help!!! Does this sound like MS??

[Kitty]

It could be MS......but MS mimics a number of other conditions. It would probably be in your best interest to see a Neurologist and give them a list of all the symptoms you've been having. They'll probably want to do several tests to try and determine what's going on....whether it's MS or something else.

Since you've been having a number of different symptoms it would be good to keep a journal of what symptom you're having and how long they last. This way your Neuro can have a time line to refer to.

Lots of people have to wait a long time for a definite diagnosis of MS. Some get their diagnosis right away. Everyone's different - and MS affects everyone differently.

[SallyC]

Hi Karen and Welcome to NeuroTalk..

Yes it sounds like MS, Lupus, Lyme disease, Brain Tumour, Pinched Nerve and more. Only time and the proper testing, will give you the answer. If you haven't had a brain MRI and/or a LP, then, those tests may be in order.

I'm glad you found us, I hope you feel better and I hope you get some definitive answers soon..

[karilann]

In the meantime Karen, look up on the internet some easy back excercises to do and see if they help. Sometimes a pinched nerve will get some relief with stretching out the lower back muscles and or butt muscles. I've had the back pain you are talking about and it was awful but the stretches really helped. I had to keep persuing answers to the back issue and now (after a year) I am getting better. I wear a tight band (like you can buy to make you look skinnier) and it helps give my back the right amount of help.

Many times back pain can be caused from hip problems and/or walking issues. I found to my surprise that my hips were crooked and everyday now I do the moves to ensure they are straight.

Keep hanging in there and don't give up. Tell your doc....I NEED HELP! Otherwise I have found some will just send you home with Tylenol. However; the numbness etc must be addressed asap. Sometimes these things all of a sudden go away before we can see the doc. Write down everything that has happened to you and make sure your docs understand how uncomfortable you are. Whatever is wrong could be many things.....the nervous system is complex and affects EVERYTHING and many things can affect it!
Big hug to you and keep us informed as to how it is going.

[karenreb]

Originally Posted by karilann

In the meantime Karen, look up on the internet some easy back excercises to do and see if they help. Sometimes a pinched nerve will get some relief with stretching out the lower back muscles and or butt muscles. I've had the back pain you are talking about and it was awful but the stretches really helped. I had to keep persuing answers to the back issue and now (after a year) I am getting better. I wear a tight band (like you can buy to make you look skinnier) and it helps give my back the right amount of help.

Many times back pain can be caused from hip problems and/or walking issues. I found to my surprise that my hips were crooked and everyday now I do the moves to ensure they are straight.

Keep hanging in there and don't give up. Tell your doc....I NEED HELP! Otherwise I have found some will just send you home with Tylenol. However; the numbness etc must be addressed asap. Sometimes these things all of a sudden go away before we can see the doc. Write down everything that has happened to you and make sure your docs understand how uncomfortable you are. Whatever is wrong could be many things.....the nervous system is complex and affects EVERYTHING and many things can affect it!
Big hug to you and keep us informed as to how it is going.

Thank you so much for the advice. I have already started the log and when presented to the docs, they look @ it for about 10 seconds and then diagnose me with numbness. I was also diagnosed by the neuro with having carpel tunnel and thats why i go numb. I dont see how that can make my lips, and legs go numb. I am so tired throughtout the day. I have a 7 & a 2 year old that want to play, but all I do is watch them as I lay on the couch.
Trying to get tests done is like pulling teeth with these people. I had to beg for an MRI on my back, and unfortunately my symptoms came right after the test. I have another appt with the Neuro this coming week. Well see what happens. Thank you again for your advice!!!

[NurseNancy]

hi karen and welcome to NT,

you've gotten some great advice.
CT can be dx'd with a nerve test of the arms/wrists. a hand dr could do it.
you just can't blindly dx it.

when trying to dx MS sometimes the dr first has to make sure you don't have other things. so it's a process of elimination. often an mri of the brain and c-spine is done to check for MS lesions.

keep up your journal. and be firm but calm when talking to your dr.
keep a list of Q's. it's also a good idea to bring a friend or family member with you for a 2nd set of ears.

good luck and keep us posted.