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    Unsure what next step should be

    About 6 weeks ago I all of a sudden had a odd numbness in both hands (not really numbness as I still have sensation, but kind of that feeling), mainly the pinky, rinng finger, and middle finger, and that half of the hands. I went to the chiropractor with out any change and also went to the Dr. The Dr. said with that pattern of numbness it would be a problem in my upper neck at the base of my skull, and she thought it was very odd that I did not have any pain in that area (like from a buldging disk or something). She said we should give it 4-6 weeks or stretches and chiropractic care and if it is not better by then or new symptoms develop we would do an xray of my neck or possibly an MRI.

    I have seen the Chiropractor a few more times and the numbness has not really changed a whole lot except that it is a less pronounced in my left hand and I also noticed that I do not feel the numbness when my hands are cold only when they are warm.

    Then about a week and a half ago I started noticing a tingling in my feet, that kind of felt like vibrations when I hit my legs. This tingling has since progressed to go up my legs and my lower back (I can describe it is very mild vibrating pretty constantly and more noticiable when something hits or taps my legs). And my arms, hands, and legs just feel achy/tired/weak. I went to the chiropractor again last week and we both kind of mentioned MS, but she didn't think that was likely and wanted to give it a couple more weeks before getting imaging.

    My Drs assistant called to check in yesterday and I told her of the new symptoms and she wants me to get an xray of my neck and then refer me to a spine Dr. for further work up, testing. I never actually go to talk to the Dr about the new symptom or my feelings that it could be connected to my fatigue and possibilities of MS.

    I am kind of feeling a strong possibility that it could be MS (but I also have a tendancy of being convienced that something is wrong, like for the longest time I was convience that my thyroid was the cause of my fatigue even though I had it tested several times and always comes back normal). I feel like it would explain a lot of how I have been feeling the last couple years. I have been experience a lot of fatigue and lack of energy (which any provider I have seen always brushes it off as having three kids and needing to exercise but I just feel off but then I also wonder if I am just being lazy and need to exercise).

    I keep wondering if maybe I'm depressed, but I don't feel depressed, just physically depressed. Also trouble concentrating, bad memory Also have had a lot of back/hip discomfort since having kids. I have had a pretty extensive blood work done in september including vit B, thyroid, vit D etc, all of which have come back normal nothing since these symptoms started.

    I am just wondering if going to the spine Dr is the right next step or if I should go to a neurologist? I'm just not sure if I should really feel like this could be MS or something serious or If I am just reading into something and conviencing myself that I have something like I have done in the past. Any guidance? Thanks

    #2
    I can relate, especially about how confusing it all can be. MS has so so many possible symptoms (that each then have their own set of variations) but at the same time no 1 symptom that rules out all other conditions. You can google just about any symptom and MS will show up somewhere on the list so I follow the advice of one of my favorite doctors who said to stick to just a handful of reputable web sites (like Mayo Clinic, NIH, MS Society) and avoid the little mom & pop sites, and countless blogs until you have a better handle on what is happening.

    I myself am in Limbo (have been for ~3 years) and am not actively seeking a diagnosis but I do come here often for insight & information from those who have been in my shoes. I just recently got up the courage to contribute myself. There are many great people here with lots of good advice from their own experiences. They can better help you figure what to do next. There are also many strongly opinionated people here who don't always back their statements with facts so beware.

    If you live in an area with any large teaching/research medical centers that would be a good place to start, possibly with a general neurologist and then you can seek out specialists as need be. I wish you luck and hope you are able to stay open minded and patient during this confusing period.

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      #3
      A spinal doc may not be a bad place to start. They may get spinal MRIs as well and will be able to see any lesions you may have in your spine, at least cervical spine where it seems like that is where your troubles are coming from with tingling in the hands and feet.

      If you develop new symptoms like problems with your eyes, then I would go see a neurologist.

      Tingling doesn't scream MS. Good luck and take care. Let us know how it goes, OK?

      Lisa
      Disabled RN with MS for 14 years
      SPMS EDSS 7.5 Wheelchair (but a racing one)
      Tysabri

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