Maryduralde
09-01-2006, 10:30 PM
I posted this in Fibromyalga board. I'm new, this was my first post and didn't know how it worked. Still don't know much but will paste my post below. I would so much appreciate a reply. It's very frightening to be alone and scared. I forgot to mention that the numbness is mostly on the front part of my legs, ankles and top of my feet. Thank you kindly for reading. Here is my post.
I'm at a loss. I'm in my early sixties, have high anxiety and stress. I've had numbness or tingling, not sure what to call it, which started about 4 or 6 years ago and doesn't let up. The soles of both feet burn occasionally but then the ball of my feet are rather worn out. These are my only symptoms and my doctor has sent me for an EMG/NCV which is negative. I have FMS, scoliosis, low back pain, stomach muscle are/have been very weak due to surgery in 92'. Now my doctor wants me to see a neuro specialist. Would some of you folks please help me. Do you know if these are symptoms of MS? I'm widowed with no one to turn to should I get down and this is really scary. I have terrific health anxieties, panic disorder too. Thank you so much and may God bless all of you.
I'm at a loss. I'm in my early sixties, have high anxiety and stress. I've had numbness or tingling, not sure what to call it, which started about 4 or 6 years ago and doesn't let up. The soles of both feet burn occasionally but then the ball of my feet are rather worn out. These are my only symptoms and my doctor has sent me for an EMG/NCV which is negative. I have FMS, scoliosis, low back pain, stomach muscle are/have been very weak due to surgery in 92'. Now my doctor wants me to see a neuro specialist. Would some of you folks please help me. Do you know if these are symptoms of MS? I'm widowed with no one to turn to should I get down and this is really scary. I have terrific health anxieties, panic disorder too. Thank you so much and may God bless all of you.
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snowmelts
09-02-2006, 09:53 PM
I'll be 60 next spring myself.
I too live alone, but I do have relatives within a half hour or so driving distance.
I can't claim elderly status yet since my mother is the elderly one in the family,
but I do take advantage the Senior Citizen discounts whenever possible!
I do understand your worry about being sick and not having someone else there.
Believe it or not I just read a newpaper article not long ago that said a lot of people have feet whose pads of the feet get thinner. Kind of supprised me since I don't know anyone it happend to.. but I thought I'd mention it so you know you are not alone in that problem. I have no idea what to do about it.
YES, I agree you should see a Neurologist.
The tingling sensations you feel in your limbs is called Paresthesia.
Here is a link to info on that:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paresthesia/paresthesia.htm
There are literally hundreds of reasons people get Paresthesia.
The numbness may indicate an entrapped nerve, or something else..the tests will help pinpoint the probable cause of problem.
The Neuro will (most likely) order a blood test, checking for Diabetic problems, vitamin/mineral imbalances, ANA, and things like that as well as perhaps an MRI of your spine to see if any nerves are entrapped causeing your Paresthesia. If MS is suspected he may order a CT scan of the brain.
Paresthesia is one of many unhappy symptoms of Periphal Neuropathy us board memebers share, (no matter other symptoms we may also have).
Be aware many of us haveing Periphial neuropathy never find the cause because there are so many diff problems lumped under Neuropathy!
But we keep searching.
Good luck.
I too live alone, but I do have relatives within a half hour or so driving distance.
I can't claim elderly status yet since my mother is the elderly one in the family,
but I do take advantage the Senior Citizen discounts whenever possible!
I do understand your worry about being sick and not having someone else there.
Believe it or not I just read a newpaper article not long ago that said a lot of people have feet whose pads of the feet get thinner. Kind of supprised me since I don't know anyone it happend to.. but I thought I'd mention it so you know you are not alone in that problem. I have no idea what to do about it.
YES, I agree you should see a Neurologist.
The tingling sensations you feel in your limbs is called Paresthesia.
Here is a link to info on that:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paresthesia/paresthesia.htm
There are literally hundreds of reasons people get Paresthesia.
The numbness may indicate an entrapped nerve, or something else..the tests will help pinpoint the probable cause of problem.
The Neuro will (most likely) order a blood test, checking for Diabetic problems, vitamin/mineral imbalances, ANA, and things like that as well as perhaps an MRI of your spine to see if any nerves are entrapped causeing your Paresthesia. If MS is suspected he may order a CT scan of the brain.
Paresthesia is one of many unhappy symptoms of Periphal Neuropathy us board memebers share, (no matter other symptoms we may also have).
Be aware many of us haveing Periphial neuropathy never find the cause because there are so many diff problems lumped under Neuropathy!
But we keep searching.
Good luck.
Maryduralde
09-04-2006, 11:26 AM
Thank you for replying Vet. I'll be seeing the neurospecialist on Sept 13. Meanwhile I am going to try a reputalbe chiropractor. I believe the EMG/NCV elininated a pinched nerve, problem with disc. He told me the test was neg except for bilateral carpal tunnel which really doesn't bother me since I don't work. He did both arms and one leg. I HATE getting old! My vision started going at 40, at 50 I was DX with hypertension and at 60 all HEL* broke loose! Thanks for letting me vent and God-bless you for taking the time to reply.
6foot3
09-04-2006, 03:12 PM
Hi mary....Have you had your blood sugar levels tested for diabete's or pre diabete's as this a cause of numbness in the areas which you described..Is this MS that you have? ...well no one knows but only a skilled neurologist who can properly diagnose your situation and even if you do have MS there's different ways to fight it medically and nutritionally...
take care !!.....
take care !!.....
Maryduralde
09-04-2006, 08:35 PM
Thank you for the reply 6'3. Yes, I've had the test done, all neg. I just read a post by a neuro doc on another board that mentions my symptoms. He stated that the problem could be due to cervical cord compression. I'm not well versed in medical terminology but I think this is the upper spine? I have scolosis and have problems with my left side of my neck, a result of whiplash years ago. Sometimes if I turn my head a certain way, it will catch and for a few seconds, I can't move my head. I've been thinking 'small fiber sensory neuropathy' until I read this post. The doc said sensory problems over the front of the shin, top/inside of the feet could be from an L5 root lesion. I have no idea where this is. Thank you for your post S6'3, you seem very knowledgable. I've read many of your other post. God-bless.
Tomy999
09-15-2006, 12:16 PM
Hi, Small fibre nerves are responsible for the feeling of heat, cold, and vibration.
They can usally test how much damage to small nerves by a thermal test, can't remember the excact name of the test, but all it does , is measure your responses to heat or cold and vibration, if that isn't enough they can do either a skin or nerve biopsy, which is time consuming and expensive, so the thermal test is normally done initialy.
The L5 is lower spine, and an MRI will pickup any pressure on the spinal cord that MAY be causing your problems.
Stress and or Anxiety are one of Neuropathies worst enermies, they can bring on worsening of symptoms, if possible try to keep as calm as you can, i know its not easy.
I hope you are seeing a neuro that is an expert in Nueropathy, no other will do.
good luck :)
They can usally test how much damage to small nerves by a thermal test, can't remember the excact name of the test, but all it does , is measure your responses to heat or cold and vibration, if that isn't enough they can do either a skin or nerve biopsy, which is time consuming and expensive, so the thermal test is normally done initialy.
The L5 is lower spine, and an MRI will pickup any pressure on the spinal cord that MAY be causing your problems.
Stress and or Anxiety are one of Neuropathies worst enermies, they can bring on worsening of symptoms, if possible try to keep as calm as you can, i know its not easy.
I hope you are seeing a neuro that is an expert in Nueropathy, no other will do.
good luck :)
dahlek
09-15-2006, 12:40 PM
I'm sorry I've not responded before, other issues intervened.
First, MS & neuropathies are NOT the same...while they are nerve-related, MS problems affect the nerve stations IN the brain, with neuropathies-the nerves OUTSIDE the brain. True, both relate to aspects of nerve damage, but the source of the 'programming errors' is different. MRI's of the brain can include or exclude that issue. MRI's of the whole spinal column can include or exclude issues from that source. Unfortunately, purely nerve issues are harder to detect as most nerves are minute. The only things to do are keep on learning about neuropathies and asking as many questions about YOUR problems as you can.
As for anxiety? Who wouldn't be a bit anxious about all this? Golly! Anyone who ISN'T has a problem! But, PLEASE turn that worry effort into a learning effort...one that helps the docs better to help YOU. Before I'd completed my first year with this deliteful illness, I was POSITIVELY sure I wouldn't have another....I've had a few. So, what did I do to help? I read, learned from others, and learned some more to help me understand what's happening and how I can cope to live with it.
As for feet, ask your docs for PT...the kind that teaches you how do exercises you can do safely, easily and cheaply [no big $ for equipment] at home. I've gotten such a program and it makes a biig dif in how I walk and my balance.
So, read on, learn on and ask away! Promise?
First, MS & neuropathies are NOT the same...while they are nerve-related, MS problems affect the nerve stations IN the brain, with neuropathies-the nerves OUTSIDE the brain. True, both relate to aspects of nerve damage, but the source of the 'programming errors' is different. MRI's of the brain can include or exclude that issue. MRI's of the whole spinal column can include or exclude issues from that source. Unfortunately, purely nerve issues are harder to detect as most nerves are minute. The only things to do are keep on learning about neuropathies and asking as many questions about YOUR problems as you can.
As for anxiety? Who wouldn't be a bit anxious about all this? Golly! Anyone who ISN'T has a problem! But, PLEASE turn that worry effort into a learning effort...one that helps the docs better to help YOU. Before I'd completed my first year with this deliteful illness, I was POSITIVELY sure I wouldn't have another....I've had a few. So, what did I do to help? I read, learned from others, and learned some more to help me understand what's happening and how I can cope to live with it.
As for feet, ask your docs for PT...the kind that teaches you how do exercises you can do safely, easily and cheaply [no big $ for equipment] at home. I've gotten such a program and it makes a biig dif in how I walk and my balance.
So, read on, learn on and ask away! Promise?
mbs60
09-16-2006, 08:39 PM
Hi Marydularde,
I had high anxiety problems and depression way before I had neuropathy, an in the gene family thing.
Do yourself a favor and see a shrink, one that is very versed with medications. Get a good recommendation from your GP or Neurologist. Pills are a funny thing, the side effects can drive some people to stop using them. The right one can literally change your life. If something doesn't work for you, don't give up, try, try again.
Good Luck.:wave:
Marty
I had high anxiety problems and depression way before I had neuropathy, an in the gene family thing.
Do yourself a favor and see a shrink, one that is very versed with medications. Get a good recommendation from your GP or Neurologist. Pills are a funny thing, the side effects can drive some people to stop using them. The right one can literally change your life. If something doesn't work for you, don't give up, try, try again.
Good Luck.:wave:
Marty
NHone
09-16-2006, 08:56 PM
I think a chiropractor is an excellent choice. See is there is a Chiropratic Neurologist is your area. It is a specialized field. Much more training. Also you very well could be low on magnesium. Stress alone will do it. Low magnesium can cause all kinds of neurological problems, including firbomylagia. You need to have an INTRACELLULAR magnesium test...not just the normal serum test that most doctors do...that will tell you nothing. Spectracell in Houston can do it, and will send you the lab instructions and packaging to send back the blood samples overnight. I know its hard being alone...but you will sometimes have to fight with your doctors to make sure they are listening to you. ALso a doctor that would be an excellent choice is a D.O....they are more skilled than m.d.s on how the body works. It scares me and makes me angry when i see how the doctors have taken care of my parents on their own...what they weren't counting on was my sister and me questioning their every move, (and non-moves).. My parents are only alive and well today,,,because we wouldn't be pushed around...and we don't believe that the "doctor is always right"
Maryduralde
09-17-2006, 09:09 PM
Thank you so much. I am taking all your input and am preparing myself in order to ask questions and insist on some things. I'm tired of being shoved out the door with a new script because of my age. I refuse to take any more medicine until someone can tell me what in the heck is going on. You wonderful people have helped me so much. It makes me feel good to know you care enough to write me. How can I ever thank you enough?! Peace and good health to you. Mary