Two years ago my legs suddenly went numb from my hips to my toes. I went to my family doctor and he referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist tested feeling in my legs, and we determined that the numbness was worse the farther down my legs he tested, with my toes being the worst. He also noted that my reflexes were hyper sensitive. My MRI showed 6 white spots, or "lesions" on the brain, however they were all located away from the center of my brain. He suggested that until I have more symptoms, he would not give a diagnosis.
During the next two years, my legs and toes continued to be numb and I started noticing other symptoms. I had become increasingly sensitive to "smells" with perfumes and fertilizers being the worst! I would instantly have a pounding headache, nausea and would quite frankly become quite irritated, almost feeling angry, which was out of the blue! My neck and shoulders are stiff and painful everyday, I am exhausted by the time I am home from work and am in bed by 7:00pm most nights. I also began to get comments from fellow co-workers and friends that they noticed that my hands were shaking/trembling. Being that I am sensitive to caffeine, I avoid drinking soda and coffee, so it was determined that my hands were trembling for some other reason, and sometimes the trembling got very dramatic and embarrasing.
I just went back to the neurologist a week ago and he ordered another MRI to compare to the one from two years ago. Three days after the MRI, the doctors office called and said that they want me to come back in to discuss the findings. The MRI showed that I have several new "white spots" on my brain.
Do any of these things sound familiar? I feel like I am alone and that there is something that I am doing that is causing these things to happen to me. To top it off, since I am 40 now, I had to go in for a mammogram too. I was called back to have a follow up ultrasound, which turned into two other mammograms and another ultrasound all in the same day! I was told that I need to come back in 6 months for another ultrasound/mammogram because they have found some cysts in my right breast that they want to keep an eye on! So much for being 40! I only had my birthday three weeks ago!
I am sorry to babble on, but I am feeling frustrated, sad, confused, helpless......

you are not alone...welcome

Hey sorry about the numbness..and other symptoms...although I am not diagnosed, I suffer with the numbness...right over night especially my legs to toes..from hips are numblike feeling...usually they get to tingling painfully. Now I am on neurontin..which helps the tingling pain part.

Good luck at the neuro visit, if more spots..thinking maybe he will diagnose you. Know that no matter what, there is help for symptoms and support for the harder days. We are here. hugsss,sarah

After two years of all you described, it is totally understandable!! Welcome to NT. You will find many of us that know exactly those feelings. Neat thing is we help each other through those rough spots, it truly helps knowing you are not totally alone.

Hopefully your doc will piece together the puzzle and figure out a treatment plan for you....hopefully sooner than later.

Hi amy and welcome to NeuroTalk! I'm so sorry for all the things you're currently going through. It helps to be able to vent those frustrations and have others understand what you're experiencing. I hope your doctors can figure out what's going on with you. Have they considered MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity)? There is a forum dedicated to this condition. here it is......http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum90.html. Hope to see you around the site and good luck with your diagnosis.

Hello and welcome to Neuro Talk, do not hesitate to explore the site and get to know the many wonderful people here again welcome to NT

I know how you mean you feel totally helpless, maybe a new neuro, it takes a while to find the right doc. Maybe a specialist neuro for the brain. , and is Do you live in a big city? Hang in there, Cycts are normal, and most are nothing. Lynn

hello and welcome to neuro talk ... there are lots of friendly and supportive people here .... as for venting ... well that's is what we are here for ... giving support to others ... and receiving support when it is our turn to get frustrated ... i sure hope you find some answers soon from your doctors as the not knowing can really raise the stress levels ... anyway ... welcome to neurotalk

I can not help with the numbness b/c I too have neuro symptoms that have not been dx. But the breast thing I can give a little peace for your mind. My Mother goes for a mammo and every year they call her back and do a sono to check cysts. Some women (like the ones in my family) have very dense breast tissue and have knots in them, and it is completely fine. They check her every year because they always show up on mammo and they want to check the size and location of them. They fluctuate their size within your cycle, but their location does not change, nor the shape. The fact that they want you to come back in 6 months is good, don't worry, they have to do this b/c of lawsuits and proper medical care. They just want to compare with the one you just had, and they will do a sono again, and maybe every time you go. I personally think that every woman should have a sono as it is far better on readings and not harmful to the body like x-rays are. Other countries do MRIs instead of mammos, but it costs more so U.S. (health ins co) doesn't do it here. If they were worried they would have done a biopsy right then, not wait for 6 months.

My friend felt a lump while breast feeding and went for mammo. They immediately gave her a sono and in the room called in a Dr. They then said call your husband because this is cancer. There was no waiting, no question. She said it looked like Sponge Bob, fingers branching out like a star. Not round and symmetrical. I write this to make you feel better b/c it was instant, not a waiting game. She had a lot of treatment and will find out soon if she is in remission.

I have many knots in my breast (cysts) and I fully expect the follow up sono like you had. I hope your neuro symptoms get the diagnosis so you can begin the treatment and the emotional healing you need.

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene