MS or something else?
 

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on where to go investigate next, I have a brief summary of symptoms/timeline/tests/results below, hoping someone can see some alignment with their symptoms and provide some pointers.

about a year ago I started to get muscle spasms in my shoulder and neck muscles, typically resulting in headaches - this was followed with tingling/numbness in the left side of my neck/face, MRI and blood tests all normal. XRay shows straight cervical spine. I worked with a Physical Therapist to try to remove the knots in my neck/shoulder, only marginal improvement.

Over a couple of months the numbness/tingling in the left side of my face gradually migrated across my nose to the right side of my face, and also started to get symptoms in my hands, forearms, right leg below the knee, and tongue. I also noticed some muscle spasms in my calf muscles. A second head/neck MRI (several months after the first) was also normal.

I've had two MRIs, multiple blood tests, all appear to be normal, a nerve conduction study (EMG), also normal, and autonomic test (also normal).

Currently taking B12, Omega-3, and Magnesium supplements which appear to have reduced the frequency and severity of the numbness/tingling, but the muscle spasms/pain are still about the same.

I'm working with a neurologist who is asking questions that appear to be leaning in the direction of MS.

Do any of the symptoms/progression match your experiences? - I'm really trying to get to root cause so I can start appropriate treatment. It's been a year since the first symptoms started, and at this point we don't appear to be any closer to determining what this is.

Thanks.

Hello Explorer,

The supplements you are taking would not make a difference on symptoms such as numbness and tingling if related to MS.

I would suggest letting your Neurologist know what you are taking and the positive effects they have had.

Hi Explorer,

I had some muscle spasms early in my MS, and still have them, but there were other things going on too. The bladder was acting up, I had several different problems with my vision, and I tended to fall a lot and drop things a lot. Sometimes I drew a blank mentally too--like a sudden failure to understand what was being said to me.

Usually MS symptoms turn up in a variety of ways and at a variety of times.

Some neurological symptoms can be brought on by a diet deficiency. Has someone gone over your diet with you to make sure you're getting the needed nutrients?

I agree with Snoopy. Letting your neurologist know about the supplements if you haven't already done that sounds like a good idea.

I hope you'll get some answers from your doctor soon.

Explorer,
 

I was originally diagnosed with ms in 1974, recently 3 neurologists have said that I have a neurogenerative disease. Since that is an umbrella term, with a lot of neuro diseases under it, I asked for further explanations. The neuros said that I have symptoms of several things like parkinsons, huntingtons, multiple sclerosis. Since it is several things involved I was told they don't want to put a name to it and are not sure how to treat it so they are treating the symptoms.

I liked it when I at least had a name for it, MS. Attended support groups and was very involved as an advocate. Now I don't know where I belong.

You stay right here Bob..:p:hug:

I got the results for an autonomic test, everything is normal, so far blood tests, two MRI, nerve conduction tests are all normal, the neurologist appears to have ruled out small fiber neuropathy, Lyme disease and multiple sclerosis, but the symptoms continue :( - not sure where to go from here, or what to look at/research next, any suggestions?

Hi Explorer,

If you take any prescription meds you may want to research their side effects.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html