I'm hoping someone here can help me, because I am at the end of my rope.
I have been having strange symptoms on and off for about a year now:
-Thumb/Index finger issues: Usually happens on left side, occasionally happens to both sides. They aren't exactly numb and tingly, but they're numb and tingly. They don't feel like they are asleep, just weird. My thumb gets kind of paralyzed, bent backwards and stuck in my palm (hyperextended, not bent). Eventually, my index finger gets kind of "pulled into" my thumb. I can open my hand, but as soon as I relax, it goes right back to that stuck position. Lasts about 5-6 hours stuck like that, when it is finally relaxed, I still feel shaky and like I need to vomit. Weird feeling travels up my arm.
Saw my GP, said it was trigger thumb, sent me to the ortho dr. Ortho said carpal tunnel, sending me to neuro...can't get into the neuro until Sept.
I would have been okay with the carpal tunnel dx, until:
-Same thumb/finger issues, but in feet and legs!!! Starts exactly the same way, but in big toe (looks pulled back towards foot), eventually involved 2nd toe, numb/tingly up foot towards knee. Only difference is that the sole of my foot is on fire. It feels like I am walking on hot coals. Even socks hurt.
Like I said, I would have been okay with CT dx, but as far as I know, there is no carpal tunnel FOOT problem!
Also have shaking/tremors in hand and forearms, weakness in legs (I can be walking normally, and all of the sudden, for one step, it's like my leg is a noodle), headaches, double vision/floaters.

I have a neuro appt in Sept...too long to wait to be practically unable to walk!

Any ideas?

Hi,

I think you need to call the neuro's office, explain the increase in symptoms and the difficulties you are having and ask if they can see you sooner. If that doesn't work - do you have a primary care dr. that you can talk to? Sometimes if the primary care dr. calls the specialist, they will get you in a lot sooner. Good luck to you.

I totally agree with the above poster, you need to be seen and evaluated much sooner than Sept.Have your doc call that neuro and see if HE can arrange a sooner appt.most specialists have 'emergent' appt time set aside for patients who need quicker attention or evaluations.this request can only come directly from your doc, and no one else.I have had to have my doc do this with different specialists I have had to see,and it always works.Talk to your doc.If nothing else, go to the emergency room when this spasm with your thumb and forefinger occurs.You DO need an MRI of the brain and the C spine area of your spine to check for any abnormalities in there.The spasms you are feeling and seeing are indicative of some sort of CNS involvement,either in the brain or upper C spine.This really needs to be looked at much sooner than later.Something is affecting the CNS at some point, you just need to find out what and where.By the way, your primary CAN refer you himself for an MRI,you do not have to wait to see the neuro to have it done.this would actually save alot of time if you could get it done before you see the neuro,as he will send you for one anyway.This way, you save yourself like the months wait to go back to see him for the test results and consult.Good luck and please keep us posted.FB

Here's an update...
I went to see my normal PCM today (who has been deployed, but is finally back). She did a very quick exam and said "You have a textbook case of MS."

She kept poking me with a "sharp" stick...I told her it wasn't sharp at all. She poked herself and yelped! I could barely feel it! And when she touched my feet and legs with the "dull" side of the stick, I just sat there with my eyes closed. I didn't feel a thing. She made me open my eyes and watch her, and I went "Oh, you're touching me!"

She called the neuro and got me an ASAP appt and I have an MRI on 4Aug.

She also put me on Neuronten (which, evidently, takes up to a month to work) and Percocet for pain until the other med starts working.
Thank you all for encouraging me to go in sooner!

What did the MRI show, do you know yet? I have many of your same symptoms after a severe head injury and burst fracture (in 4 places!) of the c1 (broken neck)....went to neurologist yesterday and told him all my neurological symptoms...he did same test on me as you, but very briefly...sharp needle felt dull to me too but he didn't ask me that! I have tremors, paraesthesia in hands/feet, weak and very shaky, cognitive disfunction, etc....and he "poohed poohed" all my symptoms saying I have post-concussive disorder and told me to stop riding my horse for six weeks as he thinks I'm reinjuring the brain. anyway, my MRI last year showed two lesions and guy who read it said it could be MS, but this neurologist said adamantly no. So, I get to wait another six weeks to see him and see if I can again ask for a MRI or SSEP....

Hello Momolots,

Just wondering how you are doing and what you found out from the neurologist.

Take care, Bern

I am wondering, too, what you have found out. My almost-teen has had many of the same symptoms and a bunch of others. She has the burning and pain in her feet, pain in arms, legs, hands, numbness in legs/arms, slurring speech at times, problems coordinating speech, facial/mouth numbness, taste impairment, early satiety (getting full after a couple bites of food), tremors, balance/coordination problems, dizziness, hot/cold sensations, fatigue, all symptoms made worse by heat and activity, all sensations are messed up (feels like rubber bands around limbs at times, or cannot feel things at all), over/under judges limb movements, cannot feel sharp objects in certain areas on her legs, and the list goes on. First neuro noted weakness on her left side especially, but problems with their practice led us to another we haven't seen yet. She did have an MRI of brain/spinal cord that showed no problems other than reversal of cervical lordosis and arachnoid cyst. But I know MS sometimes doesn't show on MRI. I think they are going to do an EMG and spinal tap on her.

Again, just wondering what you've found out, if anything.

Shadow, just really curious here as to how long ago was your actual injury?i do think that riding on a horse would not be a great idea right now at least until you find out just exactly what is wrong.You could be doing some damage or irritating/aggrevating some sort of problem.better safe than sorry espescially when dealing with brain/spinal cord area.just my opinion,I tend to worry alot since my injury.and of course, being a mommy,well, you know.marcia

Feelsbad,

Thanks for your note. My injury was on April 9, 2004. I know you are right about not riding right now, because we need to isolate what is causing the symptoms and that is the easiest one to try. I don't think that is it, but you know, it could be! Of course there is a risk if I were to fall but there's risk in everything. I'll wait the six weeks and we'll see! Sure sounds like you've been through so much. I hope you are feeling better and not bad anymore. So many people in so much pain! I had wondered about that thalamic syndrome, as well, because everything I've looked up about post concussive syndrome, I don't see anything about paraesthesia. Perhaps anyone out there reading this who has PCS can let me know if they have the para. going on or not?

All best to you!
Shadowrider (but not for the next five weeks!)

If your injury was located somewhere around the thalamus or if your spinal cord sustained an injury to the thalamic tract, central pain could be a culprit.you might not always show all symptoms right away.What symptoms are you having right now that lead you to think you may have posterior thalamic syndrome?just tryin to help.marcia