Hello, this is the first time I have posted on a site:) I think maybe I am worrying about nothing but I would like to ask for some opinions as I fear going to the Doctor at the best of times!
4 years ago i got out of bed and promptly fell over, no dizziness at the time but did end up having a few bouts of vertigo, the whole episode lasted about 2 weeks, would always fall to the right. Brief clinical neurological tests were carried out by the Dr but all were ok. 7 months later was assessed at an ENT balance clinic and was told scored 3 out of 5 on their scale, had a problem, didnt know why, wasnt the ears but the brain, do some exercises and that will sort it. Didnt do the exercises as seemed ok! Eyesight and hearing was ok, general health good.
A few months after balance episode I developed jaw pain, dentist couldnt see a problem and suggested hospital referral if it continuted, it stopped after approx 2 months. Feb this year noticed eye sight must be getting worse: april this year balance problems kicked in, not as severe as 4 years ago, around the same time had pain in left knee and tingling/pain sensations in left leg. Went to Dr who said would have to refer me again to balance clinic (got a telling off for failing to do exercises), was dismissive of leg and knee problem and said need to see a physio. Saw a physio following week he confirmed swollen knee tendon and nerve problem, no idea why, come back in 2 weeks after doing some exercises. During the 2 weeks i developed tinging/pain in left hand/arm also, arm is weak and awkward to use. Went back to physio, he said he couldnt do anymore for me because in his opinion my tingling nerves/pains etc were neurological in cause and that my left side was signifcantly weaker than my right, he would write to my Dr advising I be referred to a Neurologist. Last week suffered very brief blurring in left eye (40 seconds) and flash of white light in left eye with eye closed, both occured on separate occasions. Had an eye test, vision deterioated in both eyes, now need glasses, have to go back for pupil dilation test. Jaw is begining to play up again and very slight tingling in left side of cheek occasionally, throat feels odd when swallowing and voice gets raspy quickly (i am a smoker), im also very nasally (no cold or sinus probs that im aware of). I know my short term memory is not good and I seem to have dyslexia of the mouth at times (my husband calls it "glendon" language). Bascially body seems to be giving up, could it be a stroke, is it likely to be neurological or something else, I would like anyones opinion as I dont want to waste the drs time by complaining again to him about this and that. Sorry i went on for so long.

You should go back to your Doctor and tell him about the new symptoms.

Thank you for replying, I know I must go to the Doctors, just dont want to appear to be a nusciance. Thanks.

did any of the docs you saw ever bother to just do a good look into your brain at all with an MRI with contrast?this really should have been done long ago just to see if there is something triggering all of your ongoing symptoms.since this is an ongoing problem with no real explanation as yet,i would think at least one of your docs would think,hey,lets take a good look into the brain??it would seem a logical thing to do by now ya know?your symptoms do not really "sound' stroke like,you know what i mean?they seem more in tune with an ongoing type issue?which could be any number of other things from some sort of vascular malformation(there are many different types there)or some other more serious issue going on.i am just a bit suprised that they haven't gone into the brain area itself by now since this is where all of your symptoms appear to be generating from.it would just make sense to at least take a good hard look into it.if nothing else,it would rule out(or in) a huge list of possibilities for them and you.

you may have already had an MRI but just didn't happen to mention it here,but if you haven't gone there yet,i really DO think its way past due at this point and just needs to be done.do not settle for a CT,you DO most definitely need an MRI done,with contrast.the contrast just helps highlight the vascular structures much more clearly than without it,it highlights other areas too,but you really need a good look at the arteries in your brain.I wish you lots of luck with this and hopefully you will find out the real Dx of your symptoms soon.please keep me posted,K? marcia

Hello, this is the first time I have posted on a site:) I think maybe I am worrying about nothing but I would like to ask for some opinions as I fear going to the Doctor at the best of times!
4 years ago i got out of bed and promptly fell over, no dizziness at the time but did end up having a few bouts of vertigo, the whole episode lasted about 2 weeks, would always fall to the right. Brief clinical neurological tests were carried out by the Dr but all were ok. 7 months later was assessed at an ENT balance clinic and was told scored 3 out of 5 on their scale, had a problem, didnt know why, wasnt the ears but the brain, do some exercises and that will sort it. Didnt do the exercises as seemed ok! Eyesight and hearing was ok, general health good.
A few months after balance episode I developed jaw pain, dentist couldnt see a problem and suggested hospital referral if it continuted, it stopped after approx 2 months. Feb this year noticed eye sight must be getting worse: april this year balance problems kicked in, not as severe as 4 years ago, around the same time had pain in left knee and tingling/pain sensations in left leg. Went to Dr who said would have to refer me again to balance clinic (got a telling off for failing to do exercises), was dismissive of leg and knee problem and said need to see a physio. Saw a physio following week he confirmed swollen knee tendon and nerve problem, no idea why, come back in 2 weeks after doing some exercises. During the 2 weeks i developed tinging/pain in left hand/arm also, arm is weak and awkward to use. Went back to physio, he said he couldnt do anymore for me because in his opinion my tingling nerves/pains etc were neurological in cause and that my left side was signifcantly weaker than my right, he would write to my Dr advising I be referred to a Neurologist. Last week suffered very brief blurring in left eye (40 seconds) and flash of white light in left eye with eye closed, both occured on separate occasions. Had an eye test, vision deterioated in both eyes, now need glasses, have to go back for pupil dilation test. Jaw is begining to play up again and very slight tingling in left side of cheek occasionally, throat feels odd when swallowing and voice gets raspy quickly (i am a smoker), im also very nasally (no cold or sinus probs that im aware of). I know my short term memory is not good and I seem to have dyslexia of the mouth at times (my husband calls it "glendon" language). Bascially body seems to be giving up, could it be a stroke, is it likely to be neurological or something else, I would like anyones opinion as I dont want to waste the drs time by complaining again to him about this and that. Sorry i went on for so long.
Some of these symptoms are similar to MS symptoms. Maybe it would be worth your while to post your query on that board. I've only had it a few years & its not severe so I wouldnt know all symptoms etc but some of the members there might be able to help you out or recommend another board for you.

Take care - I do remember how frustrating it is when you dont know whats going on.

I would have guessed MS as well. I would definitely go to the MS forum, but also try looking up some information on the symptoms, on the web. I agree that you should have had an MRI done, if you haven't had one already. Best of luck to you figuring out what is wrong. :)

Hello Feelbad and thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I have not had an MRI nor has one been suggested, when I went to the Balance Clinic they just said if I had scored 5 or more on their scale I would have had more tests (they didnt say what those tests were). Like I said in the past because I have only complained of odd things the Dr is fairly dismissive and says take a pill. I have decided to go back to the Drs and have an appointment next wednesday so will see what he says about the pins and needle probem (plus he should by now have the letter from the Physio). I fully expect this to be a long haul with the Drs, will see what he says and I will let you know. Once again thank you for showing an interest.

Again thanks for both the suggestions re MS, I will look further into it and maybe post a query on that site.