Tremors

[rose54]

Hi I am new here. I have had diagnosis of Hashimotos,Lupus and Fibro, but this is different. My rheumatologist is referring me to a Neurologist for MS evaluation. My MRI showed unspecified foci in periventricular white matter, it looks like there is about 20 lesions. Radiologist report says, chronic ischemic or demylinating process cannot be excluded. I am ataxic, blurry vision and weak legs, sweats and tremors all day unless I take baclofen. And even with baclofen it still happens, just better to deal with. Today the tremors were terrible, felt like I was going to have a seizure. I don't like all of this, wondering if it will go away soon, the neuro symptoms have been hanging around now for about 5 months. Tremors have increased. So has the urinary incontinence. Feels like MS to me.

[SNOOPY]

Hi rose54 and welcome to MSWorld

Have you seen an Ophthalmologist for your blurry vision? If not it would probably be a good idea as vision problems are their specialty.

A Urologist could help diagnose and treat urinary incontinence.

The tremors you are describing sounds different than what I am aware of for MS tremors. That doesn't mean it isn't MS, just not what I have read and experienced as MS tremors.

Baclofen is used for muscle spasms/spasticity and is not known to help with tremors. There are medications that can be prescribed for tremors.

Information about MS tremors:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...ymptoms/Tremor

Feels like MS to me

It might be MS but it might not be. Only testing will give you that answer. There is no symptom(s) that are unique to MS and other conditions need to be ruled out.

Best wishes on your diagnostic journey and hope you get answers soon.

[rose54]

tremors

Hi, I did not understand your reply about tremors. You said it did not sound like tremors in MS. I did not describe them. My tremors are postural and intention. I have been to all other doctors and specialists, they all refer me to a neurologist. What are your tremors like?

[rose54]

tremors and baclofen

Hi Snoopy, Another thought; I notice when my muscles get tight I start to have leg and arm jerking. I get fasiculations. Then my tremor gets worse. My incontinence is worse and so is my swallowing ability. It becomes a nightmare. I notice when I take baclofen, the muscle spasms start to relax, hence the jerking slows, less tremor and better bladder control and better swallowing. It relaxes. So that is how it gives me relief. but the tremors are always there. It is all I have right now because my other doctors do not want to give me anything until I see the neurologist in 4 days.

[SNOOPY]

Hi rose54,

sweats and tremors all day unless I take baclofen

My assumption about your tremors was based on the above quote. I am sorry if I misunderstood what you wrote.

If you are on any medication you may want to research medication side effects. Some medications can cause the symptoms you are having and Drs. are not always very good at considering a medication as the cause of symptoms.

I good resource is Medline:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

What are your tremors like?

My hands shake.

Sometimes it's not very noticeable, sometimes it is. More times than not I wear some of the food I may be eating.

When holding a drink I usually need to hold the glass with both hands or the liquid spills out due to my hand shaking.

Those examples are visible to anyone watching.

I also experience internal tremors. This means I have the shaking internally and it is not visible to anyone who looks at me. The internal tremors are the only ones I will treat and that is only after many hours or even days of no relief. At that time I use Klonopin.

Hope that helps and best wishes on your Neurology appointment.

[rose54]

hand shaking

Hi, Yes my hands shake especially the right hand. Things fly out of them sometimes and my legs jerk. I get an internal tremor also, and that is what upsets me. It feels weird. I saw my neurologist today and he ordered blood work and a mri of my cervical spine and a lumbar puncture. He said I had abnormal neuro exam and reflexes. My gait is not right and he thought the lesions in my brain were not consistant with strokes or just age. I asked him if it were MS and he said it could be. He was pretty sure that a lumbar puncture is accurate. I am not looking forward to the procedure.

[Jennagain]

Been There

Hi rose54:

I wanted to respond to you as your symptoms sound very similar to the ones I had 8 years ago. I too had all kinds of cerebellar symptoms which included intention tremors, ataxia, and balance problems. The good news is the symptoms resolved within a matter of months and I went on to live quietly until now.

My best advice is to pursue a diagnosis and try and remain calm. I got really anxious and I think it made my symptoms worse. Also there was nothing they could do anyway and in the end I got no treatment or explanation for my symptoms. I figure if it truly is something diagnosis worthy they will eventually label it.

[rose54]

tremors

Hi Jennagain,
I appreciate the feedback. Every little bit of validation helps. I had these same symptoms 5 years ago and then 2 years ago before this. In the last 5 months my symptoms have become increased and have not gone away. So I am worried about this. All the other times, these came and went. I am wanting treatment. I had a solu medrol treatment 5 years ago when they thought I was having lupus, and the treatment helped, I was fine until a few years later so I hope I get something soon. I am having swallowing problems now and also tightness around my waist which is uncomfortable.