Symptoms of MS?
 

About a year ago I suddenly started getting strange parasthesias - I woke up in the night to find my hands numb and tingly, when I shook them I got normal feeling back but then it came back again (the tingling). It also started happening in my feet. I freaked out - but had been backpacking for the previous 6 weeks and my doc said it was a pinched nerve from my pack and it would go away. It has certainly died down - I dont get it randomly any more - I am still very sensitive to pinched nerve sensations, about 50 times a day I seem to get myself into some position that I have to switch to get rid of a tingling sensation in my fee, calves, hands, shoulders, back or neck.

My doctor is now sending me for a brain MRI and cervical spine scan. I am really worried its a brain or spine tumor, or MS. My family is telling me to stay calm, as the parasthesia always goes away when I move or change position (suggesting Im just pinching about 100 nerves all the time). Im worried now that other symptoms I have which I thought were unrelated - irritable bowel symdrome, recurrent UTIs, and constant fatigue - are associated with this.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Does this - bilateral frequent pins and needles - sound like MS/cancer? Just want to prepare myself for bad news!

Hello Heather and welcome to NeuroTalk.

We actually have quite a large MS group here with our own forum, and I wonder if you posted there whether you'd get a better response?

There are lots of people who've already been diagnosed, as we'll as lots still waiting to see where their symptoms lead. Here's the direct link: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html

I'll look forward to catching up with you there.

HI Heather

Welcome to neurotalk. :hug::hug: Try not to freak out. Fear makes things worse than they are sometimes so don't let the fear get the best of you. And don't assume all the symptoms are connected.

You have found a good place with lots of people who are smart and listen.

I have a couple of thoughts for you. First if you are changing positions and it goes away it sounds like a nerve compression issue. The sensation down your spine sounds like a l'hermitte's sign. I get that too. My injury is in my neck but the effect can be in my legs too.

Lets see what the MRI says. That backpack could have put some pressure on your cervical and thoracic spine. Also be sure to ask the doc to do x-rays to accompany the mri because sometimes when you are laying down the mri does not catch your spine in motion. If he does agree to the x-rays ask him to do flexion x-rays back and forward to see your c-spine in motion.

Thyroid can also cause fatigue and pins and needles. Ask your doc to check you for that too.

So try not to jump the gun. :hug::hug:, we are here for ya!

DON'T PANIC! By any means...
 

First off, it might just be some pressure issues caused by the backpack. I got carpal tunnel in one hand just by replacing a screen in a door! So when I got Peripheral Neuropathy [PN] at first I'd wonderred what I'd done? Turned out to be something complete different!

Not everything leads to MS! Or brain tumors! There are hundreds of neuro and spinal issues that can cause the numbness you are describing...with hundreds more sub-sets of specific conditions in each category.

The MRI is a good solid first step! To rule out spinal/structural issues... Here is an web site [click on the blue] that explains what a neuro looks at to 'eliminate' the testable causes and then get into the more subjective causes. http://www.neuroexam.com/content.php?p=2
Soo, get ready for a round of MRI's CT's and blood work...not to mention nerve conduction studies [necessary but bothersome for many]. This is all part and parcel of the whole neruo diagnosis process! How far you have to be tested depends on the test results of each step along the way. I truly hope you have a short series of steps and the whole thing goes away SOON!
Remember that there is no question too simple or silly! I've asked my share of them, I guarantee you! So don't be shy, please - j

dermatomyositis
 

I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis in aug of 2005

I have those feelings you described and go through periods where it is quite pronounced. I got checked out for MS included an MRI, the results from which triggered a lumbar puncture.

But I fortunately, was not diagnosed with MS. With the dermatomyositis diagnosis comes much cancer screening. So far, so good. so it is an annoyance and very unnerving, but take heart! It MAY:confused: just be one of those things!

oak1day

Hey!

I was just wondering what your diagnosis ended up being if you don't mind sharing? I am experiencing similar symptoms. My back as an injury in the thoracic area, not sure what it is but I have a pulling sensation sometimes or sharp pain. My back is also SUPER tight and painful. However my tingling is what worries me. It goes away or switches areas when I move. Sometimes it's in my arms, legs, trunk. Trying not to worry about it but I do! I got an MRI on my lumbar spine last summer and then had PT and it helped but I still have tingling and I am wokdering if it's related to my back or brain. Or MS.

Thanks

Hello Robynanne24 and welcome to NeuroTalk.

This is a very old Thread and the original poster has never been back online.

Have you had a MRI or x-ray of your Thoracic or cervical spine? If not it might be worth getting one. Lumbar spine problems effect the person from the Lumbar down and would not be responsible for symptoms felt above the Lumbar.

This makes me wonder about a spine problem.

Multiple Sclerosis is not positional. A symptom like tingling, in Multiple Sclerosis, will not go away or change places it's affecting by moving.

Have you continued your PT exercises on your own?

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the Central Nervous System(CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The damage the disease does can show up in any or all areas of the CNS.

There are numerous conditions, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, some medication side effects and mental health issues that cause the same type of symptoms as those seen in Multiple Sclerosis. A diagnosis of MS is one of exclusion, all other causes for a person's symptoms must be ruled out.

Information about diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis:
Diagnosing MS : National Multiple Sclerosis Society