OK Dis Drs. I need your thoughts on this.

[phorsenuf]

Let me preface that I am under the Drs. care (although my favorite and best Dr. left the practice) and this is not life-threatning! LOL I'll also try not to make this too long.

In the last few months I've been experiencing some odd symptoms. I've been clumsy, knocking things over and dropping things. I also have developed a bit of a balance problem. Sometimes I just kind fall off to the side. I don't actually fall, but list that way while standing. I've also developed memory problems, like I'll ask my DH something a few times because I don't rememebr asking him. Last night he said I did something and I don't recall doing it at all. Weird things like that. The thing though that is really bothering me is my speech. Sometimes when I talk my words are garbled. Not all, but maybe one or two in a sentence. I'll say the completely wrong word too. That I do alot. Like I may say driveway instead of oven, hand instead of plate. It's getting worse and its sooo frustrating!

I had an MRI done about 2 months ago and saw a nuerologist about 2 weeks ago. I was sent to him because of my dropping things but he thinks its carpel tunnel. He didn't even seem interested when I wanted to talk about my other symptoms. He said my MRI was completely normal (aside from a pineal cyst) so that seemed fine with him. About 3 years ago there was some concern about MS, but my MRI's have never supported it.

Now I do have some health problems, so I guess they could be related. I have fibromyalgia and right now my thyroid numbers are out of whack. (I've had hypo-thyroidism since I was 16).

The nuero thinks my carpel tunnel syndrome is related to my thyroid.

Anyways, I'm 42 years old and beginning to think I am losing my mind!

I'm thinking of calling my Dr. (whoever it is they assigned me to) and seeing if I can see another nuero.

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations of where to go from here? Could this all be fibro and thyroid related?

 

[Christine]

I'd really like to know how out of whack your thyroid is. Yes, it can cause carpal tunnel. When my TSH was at about, oh 100, I had very painful wrists. Also, my hands and feet fell asleep all the time. One of the times I was severely hypo, I felt like I was walking on a boat when I was going down the hall in my office. Also had the mental issues. But, I was severely hypothyroid when that happened and, if you were, I think you would know it.

I'm not sure a neuro is strictly the doctor you want to be seeing. I know that specialists are necessary, but they get so focused in their own area that I think they miss things.

An internist specializing in endocrinology would probably be good.

Also, have you checked simple things like a B-12 deficiency. Do you take other meds?

 

[disneynutt1225]

Personally, I'd be getting a second opinion from another neurologist. My mother has MS and a lot of the symptoms you're describing are her to a tee. She has balance issues, memory issues, and occasionally her speech is slurred. She had seen neurologists many times when her symptoms began (mid 80's); she had optic neuritis at one point in 87; and she was finally given an official diagnosis of MS in 1988 after she gave birth to my brother and became really bad.

For my own peace of mind, and knowing what I know about MS, I'd definitely be getting a second opinion - preferably from someone who listened to all of my symptoms instead of brushing me off.

 

[Rajah]

I would see about getting a second nuero's opinion, personally. Doesn't sound like the first one was taking your concerns seriously.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I agree about the MS...I have heard clumsiness can be a sign

 

[phorsenuf]

Christine, My last blood work showed my tsh at about 30. That was about 2 months ago so I haven't been retested since my dosage change. I know I need to get in and have that done. They did complete blood work on me last time too, both at the Drs. office and the ER. My Dr. sent me to the ER because of my dropping problem and I was having a horrific headache at the time. All tests were normal.
I see a rhuematologist for my fibromyalgia and my regular Dr. is actually an internal medicine Dr.

Disneynutt.....did your mom have a normal MRI though? I think that's part of the problem is mine shows normal. I also get numbness/pins and needles on the left side of my face and arm, but that seems to not matter at all.

I had a migraine one time that mimicked a stroke. Kept me in the hospital 3 days till they determined it wasn't a stroke. I never was convinced with that diagnosis because I've had problems ever since then.

It's so aggravating. I probably sound like a hypochondriac to my Drs office LOL
How can one person have so many symptoms with nothing being found???

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Cathy - read this
http://www.csmc.edu/3005.html

Maybe see a Neuro who handles MS as their speciality?

Edit to Add:
My dad was told he had a normal MRI too...his symptoms started with leg cramps..then his gate was off so that sometimes he would shuffle his feet. Finally, he was walking in the yard one day and his legs wouldn't hold him up. Sadly, he DID have a brain tumor...PLEASE see another Dr.. The internet is full of every possible Dx, but MAKE someone find out what is going on...do NOT accept "all tests are normal"

 

[disneynutt1225]

Disneynutt.....did your mom have a normal MRI though? I think that's part of the problem is mine shows normal. I also get numbness/pins and needles on the left side of my face and arm, but that seems to not matter at all.

I just asked her, and she really can't remember.

She also has numbness on occasion on her left side - her mouth droops a little once in a while on the left side.

Please get checked again, talk to someone who's 100% willing to listen to your problems. It's one of those things that is commonly misdiagnosed for years. Whether you have MS or not, you need a doctor that is willing to listen to you.

 

[minkydog]

This sounds neurological to me. My DH was acting similarly about 5yrs ago, and had sensory seizures too. It got so I couldn't even leave the kids with him because he couldn't make appropriate decisions or read a clock or understand a phone number. I thought he had early Alzheimer's . It turned out he had scar tissue in his brain. What we came to understand later is that he has neurosarcoidosis, a fairly rare presentation of a common lung ailment. With steroids his symptoms went away and he has to take seizure meds.

I think your symptoms need to be reconsidered. If the neuro doc isn't interested, then see a new doctor. I don't know if it's MS, that's to be determined, but it certainly isn't normal. Best of luck to you.

 

[phorsenuf]

Cathy - read this
http://www.csmc.edu/3005.html

Maybe see a Neuro who handles MS as their speciality?

WOW! Those symptons are so me it was almost like they had been watching me! LOL

But again, they can't confirm with the MRI and as far as a spinal tap, you best knock me out first!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

it says only 90% can be confirmed with a MRI...read my edit too!

 

[phorsenuf]

it says only 90% can be confirmed with a MRI...read my edit too!

BTW-I forgot to say thank you for the link. Thanks! (and for the other info too!)

 

[drgnfly30]

I've work with a couple of people with very similar symptoms, their diagnosis was MS.. it took a long time to finally diagnosis them. I'd get a second opinion from another Neurologist. Good Luck

 

[phorsenuf]

OK, so I went online and found a neuro that specializes in MS. I called their office and spoke to someone there about how I was unhappy with the neuro I had seen and I was interested in seeing someone within their practice. She asked what was going on and I told her and I told her that the other Dr. said it was my thyroid and wasn't interested in my other symptoms. She seemed concerned (not worried, but actually listened like there was a problem) and agreed that I did need to be seen by one of their MS Drs.
So now I am on hold with my Drs, office so that they can call there and get me in.
Hopefully I am getting somewhere now and won't have to wit to long to see them.

 

[RadioNate]

It sounds like MS symptoms to me too. How are your eyes? My aunt has Myasthenia Gravis which is commonly misdiagnosed as MS.

Aspertaime poisoning also mimics symptioms of MS.

 

[golfgal]

When my thyroid was way out of whack (TSH of 95) I had similar symptoms too. The neurologist I saw when they were trying to figure everything out said my reflexes were really slow too. They have all disappeared, at least mostly-sometimes the memory isn't quite there , since my thyroid has been under control.

 

[phorsenuf]

It sounds like MS symptoms to me too. How are your eyes? My aunt has Myasthenia Gravis which is commonly misdiagnosed as MS.

Aspertaime poisoning also mimics symptioms of MS.

My eyes are OK, except on ocasion I get what I call a "dead spot" it's like someone put a little dot in my eye and I can't see where it blots it out. I mean I can see out of the eye, except for this one little area in the middle. And it's only my left eye.

I do drink caffeine free diet coke, but hardly enough to do anything. Maybe a glass or 2 a day.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I'm so glad you're getting another opinion! Will you let us know what the outcome is?

 

[Disney Doll]

I would definitely do the 2nd neurologist's opinion. It really sounds like MS.

I would also go to an endocrine specialist, to get that thrroid business under control.

It is possible to have 2 separate things happening, you know...MS & thyroid.

 

[phorsenuf]

I would definitely do the 2nd neurologist's opinion. It really sounds like MS.

I would also go to an endocrine specialist, to get that thrroid business under control.

It is possible to have 2 separate things happening, you know...MS & thyroid.

My Dr. has been real good about my thyroid, the last bit was all my fault. I stopped taking my meds and well you can just imagine what happened.

I have felt for the last few years that I do have MS. Everything I read about it is me. I know its not a diagnose to easily throw about and perhaps they don't want to until something "shows" but I don't think that's the way to go about it.
My balance and walking have been so bad at times that I have seriously considered getting a cane. Sometimes I just stop walking because it seems like my legs don't want to move so I just stand there until I can get going again.
Like I said, it's so frustrating!