What is happening?!?

[Steve636]

Hi all,First let me say I haven't been diagnosed with MS. But I have been having many strange symptoms for a while now that have me concerned.

For the past year I've been having non stop muscle twitches daily, everywhere across my body. This is my main concern but is not the only thing happening. I also get tingling in some areas. I get this strange electric shock in my lip by my nose that has a pulse pattern and stays for a few seconds. Also crawling sensation behind my left knee and bottom of left foot. Occasional tingling in finger tips.

My hearing in my right ear was not right for a while either. Any small noise caused a static sound in my ear and I had a fullness feeling. Also get a tight pressure feeling in my temple from time to time, no pain. I started noticing floaters in my vision that I never had before, and a couple of months ago my jaw hurt so bad I could barely chew. The jaw pain lasted for around 2 weeks and right before going to see a dentist it went away thankfully. I have also been having myoclonic jerks especially when falling asleep or even if I'm just sitting still for a while.

Here is what doctors said and tests I had done.ENT doctor: Hearing test confirmed mild to moderate conductive hearing loss in right ear. ENT specialist said it could be otosclerosis, but usually that is hereditary and no one in my family has.Bloodwork: Got blood work done on muscle enzymes, folates, magnesium, calcium, thyroid levels, and whatever else can cause muscle twitches. All came back normal.Neurologist: He didn't seem concerned at all as I passed the neurological tests and an MRI didn't reveal anything of concern. Eye doctor: Nothing wrong with my eyes after imaging and vision tests.

I was also on Citalopram for anxiety for a few months as my primary doctor figured that was what is causing the twitches. Nothing changed being on the drug and I'm now off and not any different.Has anyone else had similar symptoms before being diagnosed? Not sure if I should get an EMG test done or not. Sorry for the rant but any advice is very appreciated. This is driving me nuts because I feel that something is just not right and doctors keep telling me there is nothing they can do basically. Thank you,

** Moderator's note - Post broken into paragraphs for easier reading. Many people with MS have visual difficulties that prevent them from reading large blocks of print. **

[KoKo]

Hi Steve - Welcome

Neurologist: He didn't seem concerned at all as I passed the neurological tests and an MRI didn't reveal anything of concern.

Has anyone else had similar symptoms before being diagnosed?

I did have similar symptoms (crawling sensations, tingling).

But then my neurological exam revealed neurological deficits, and the MRI findings were consistent with MS lesions.

Not sure if I should get an EMG test done or not.

If your doctor thinks that this will help provide more information, getting the EMG couldn't hurt.

Sorry you are having so many symptoms, with no answers. Maybe over time, if symptoms persist, your doctor will try another MRI. Or if he thinks it's anxiety related, he will try something else for that.

Wishing you the best.

Take Care

[pennstater]

At onset, MS doesn't usually present with all over body symptoms. It usually presents one-sided. It may be worth trying another anxiety medicine as you try to more thru this. Did the neuro suggest a follow-up at some point?

[Steve636]

Thanks for the replies.My doctors haven't told me to follow up. I'm guessing they assume I would come back to them if things get worse. I'm only 26 so its harder to convince doctors it seems. Something new that started happening is my left thumb keeps involuntarily twitching. I can feel the twitch through my forearm as well. I also started having aching legs, mainly around the knees and also some aching in my lower back. Not sure I've read anything about finger twitching in MS but can be a first sign of Parkinsons.

[SNOOPY]

Hi Steve636,

I'm only 26 so its harder to convince doctors it seems.

Multiple Sclerosis is diagnosed in all age ranges. There are those diagnosed that are under the age of 18 and the reason there are Pediatric MS Centers. I, myself, was diagnosed at the age of 24.

Your age has nothing to do with convincing a Neurologist.

You currently do not meet the diagnostic criteria for the disease. Your Neurological exam was normal which would be quite unusual if you did have MS. Your symptoms are all over which is not common in MS.

Anxiety/stress can cause Neurological type symptoms and can cause physical symptoms body wide. You might also evaluate your lifestyle for possible reasons to your symptoms.

I would suggest treating you anxiety. The best Dr. to see for anxiety is a Psychiatrist. The medications/combination of medications to teat anxiety is their specialty. A common fear for many with anxiety/panic is the fear they have Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson's.