Not diagnosed, but multiple paresthesias and fatigue

[lichelle]

So I am 38 and a female. I've been having some paresthesias moving about my body for about the last year and I've had a ton of fatigue for the last month. It started with both of my ear canals itching furiously on and off throughout the day which I trumped up to allergies (although I've never had it before ). Silly ear itching isn't as bad, but is still happening at least weekly. Then the last 6 months I've started having the left side of my face feeling like bugs are crawling on it (I know it sounds funny but any person who has had a bug crawling on them knows what it feels like) on and off throughout the day and especially when I am trying to sleep at night (assumed that was a pinched nerve in my neck). This is still happening multiple times every day and when I'm trying to get to sleep.

Then the last few months I have had little intermittent sensations that the left side of my scalp is "crawling" or one toe feels like it's tingling. Had extreme fatigue for the last month (I have congenital heart disease so I figured it was that). And finally the last two weeks the left side of my rib cage feels like it's vibrating on and off throughout the day. Ultimately I hope that I just have pinched nerves all over my body, although I have no injuries to cause that. Or possibly a vitamin deficiency despite the fact I take a multivitamin and eat tons of fruits and vegetables.

I have finally made an appointment to see my doctor on Tuesday, under the guise that I have neck and back problems. So just wondering if you folks out there that have MS diagnosed has this been your course? I know it varies from person to person, but just wondering if the paresthesias are similar. I really have my hands full with my congenital heart disease at the present time so if you all can just tell me not to worry, that none of you have experienced this, it would be blissful, but let's face it I'm here to face the facts. My nervous system shouldn't be so haywire and I shouldn't be this tired.

** 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. **

[Kimba22]

Hi lichelle,

Welcome to MSWorld! Sorry for the delay in responding and to hear about your symptoms. I haven't experienced all the same one's you have, but they do all sound very familiar. Intense itching was one of my early symptoms, which also happened most frequently at night. Read somewhere it was often a nocturnal symptom. Never had the bugs crawling on me sensation, a few times lately have had one that feels like insects are stinging me, though.

Like you said, everyone has their own unique course with MS. You may not even have MS, for which there is no single test that is used to diagnosis it. It's a diagnosis of exclusion, after other possibilities are ruled out.

Good luck with your appointment Tuesday and hope whatever going on is 100% treatable and not MS. Your heart condition sounds like more than enough to have to deal with. Pease keep us posted

[lichelle]

Thank you!

Thank you Kimba! I was starting to feel like I've lost my mind with all the paresthesias. It's one thing to read about it and a whole other thing to know other people experience it...kind of a how the heck can I be feeling this?!? It looks like I am in for lab work. Then referral to a neurologist. Contemplating that route because I'm not having a real deficit like motor skills. And I'm not in pain. Just having lots of annoying sensations and fatigue.

Then I have to think about the fact that if I do have MS, or some other neurological condition, better to be diagnosed earlier rather than later, as to get it treated sooner.

[JerryD]

Hi ! I read your post and IMO you are going the 'right' way. You should definitely talk to your PCP . Then, you should see a neurologist, general or MS 'specialist'. If you talk with a general neurologist, ask about an MS 'specialist' in your area. I hope that you have something that can be treated, easily. I hope that you don't get a diagnosis of MS. good luck

[Kimba22]

Your, Welcome! . Guess it's hard for anyone who doesn't experience any of our symptoms to really understand what they feel like. Like saying I have numbness somewhere, but can feel something if it hurts in the same spot! Drives my husband batty!

I agree with Jerry, see a neurologist. It's not a good idea to wait until you have other/ more problems. There can be "silent damage" with MS, which not manifest into recognizable symptoms for many years. Best of luck to you.

[lichelle]

Lab results

My labs came back yesterday that I am mildly anemic. So no luck with the labs. :-(

Today while I was at work and walking, my left leg felt like it was suddenly asleep... lasted about two minutes. I was right in mid step when it started. Intense tingling, buzzing feeling; I couldn't tell where my foot was going...how hard I was stepping... I was really freaked out I might fall.

I am actually scared now. I have been able to control my feet for 38 years... what the heck?!? It happened just like that one more time today; then the rest of the night left leg is still buzzing, tingling very mildly and some weird pin pricking mildly in my big toe only.

My doctor is getting me a neurology referral. It can't come soon enough. Having strange sensations is one thing, but not being able to walk normally out of the blue is a WHOLE other story.

All I can say productively is "silly nerves, shame on you I have things to do". Silly nervous system interfering with my day. How dare it impede me! The audacity!

On a good note my left cheek hardly bothered me today. Although thinking now my left cheek doesn't help me walk.

[SNOOPY]

Hi lichelle,

My labs came back yesterday that I am mildly anemic. So no luck with the labs. :-(

Anemia can be caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency. A B-12 deficiency can cause neurological symptoms and is considered a mimic of Multiple Sclerosis. You should ask your Dr. what your B-12 level is.

Information about Anemia:
http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/

[lichelle]

B12

My docor checked B12 and it was normal. Would've been an easy fix, so a bit disappointed. My TSH and the rest of my CBC were normal. My fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1C were minimally elevated, not enough for a diabetes diagnosis.

I got a referral today for a neurologist. Still having some buzzing on and off in my left foot and great toe of that foot.

The night after the freaky left leg "going to sleep" midstep, my great toe of that foot kept having muscle spasms and a sensation like somebody was stabbing me in the toe with a needle...it actually woke me up. The next morning I was scared to use that leg fearing I'd be walking and it would do it again.

On a good note my funny facial sensations only happened a few times today.

Once again I say my nervous system is silly. How dare it not cooperate!

[lichelle]

Snoopy

Thank you! Thank you!

[lichelle]

Pick your brain

Hello all! So I had my neuro appt and passed neuro exam. My neurologist stated that without any functional deficits such as muscle weakness he didn't feel any other testing was warranted and to call if I had any increased neurological issues. He also stated my paresthesias were cutaneous level (skin).

I asked him what he thought could be causing them and he said "It could be a virus" (ie he has no idea). My question to you folks is if many of you passed a neuro exam yet ended up diagnosed?

Any input is much appreciated as I feel stuck between "don't worry " and "something is clearly wrong because of all these weird sensations". I know my body...lived in it for 38 years now and I know my nervous system is being goofy.

Thank you for any ideas!

[Kassi]

I too am not diagnosed but I have the bug crawling feeling and some tingling. Also numbness in face and hands and legs. I hope I don't have Ms. Seeing neurologist in a few weeks. I do have anxiety which has the same symptoms and gets worse when I think about the problem. I hope it's just anxiety.

[Kassi]

Curious

I've been having tingling all over and numbness. My numbness seems to be positional. My back hurts and I've been having my leg or foot, toe go to sleep until I move. Does this sound like Ms?

[SNOOPY]

Hello Kassi,

I've been having tingling all over and numbness. My numbness seems to be positional. My back hurts and I've been having my leg or foot, toe go to sleep until I move. Does this sound like Ms?

No, it doesn't sound like Multiple Sclerosis.

MS symptoms are not positional. When we have numbness, tingling or something like a toe that goes to sleep we can't just change positions, shake it and make it go away. It would be nice if it was that simple