k2626
08-29-2008, 08:26 PM
Hi all....about 3 months ago I started getting pulsating sometimes stabbing joint/bone pain, along with that my joints started cracking to the extreme (15 times in one minute). A few weeks after this onset, I started getting a buzzing feeling on and off in my feet. Two weeks ago I started getting muscle twitches all over my body.
I have had blood tests for SO many things- all came back okay just somewhat low D. I had a bone scan, colonoscopy, ultrasound of heart-all fine.
I went to two neuro-one said it was stress (Ummm I dont think stress causes body wide joint cracking) the other one said I was fine as the basic neuro exam was fine and I had an MRI for migraines 1.5 yrs ago (BUT I did NOT have these symptoms THEN)
Do you think I could have M/S or something neurological? Do neuro symptoms show up on MRI's before symptoms?
Thanks for helpingme
I have had blood tests for SO many things- all came back okay just somewhat low D. I had a bone scan, colonoscopy, ultrasound of heart-all fine.
I went to two neuro-one said it was stress (Ummm I dont think stress causes body wide joint cracking) the other one said I was fine as the basic neuro exam was fine and I had an MRI for migraines 1.5 yrs ago (BUT I did NOT have these symptoms THEN)
Do you think I could have M/S or something neurological? Do neuro symptoms show up on MRI's before symptoms?
Thanks for helpingme
Sponsor
MSNik
08-29-2008, 08:52 PM
whatever you have, it does not sound like MS. MS is a disease of the central nervous system, the eyes, brain and spine...its not a joint disease. However, what you describe could be neurological in nature. An MRI can change as rapidly as week to week, and depending on what they are looking for, sometimes "symptoms" have nothing to do with the results of the test. Blood tests and other things wouldnt necessarily tell you what is wrong, but they do help to rule out what MIGHT be wrong. You mentioned a D deficiency? Thats a big deal and can give you symtoms like you describe. Are you doing anyting about it? Make sure if you are taking extra vitamin D that it is D3 - called calcipherol in the bottle.
If you are still having pains and aches- and are still concerned then you have every right to pursue more testing...time to find a good Neuro, the one you describe doesnt sound very competent. Starting new, now- might give you answers.
good luck and dont panic...ok?
Nikki
If you are still having pains and aches- and are still concerned then you have every right to pursue more testing...time to find a good Neuro, the one you describe doesnt sound very competent. Starting new, now- might give you answers.
good luck and dont panic...ok?
Nikki
k2626
08-30-2008, 12:17 AM
Thanks so much for your feedback. Its hard not to panic when I have no answers and am in pain.
So MS does not cause muscle twitching, feet buzzing and joint/bone pain?
I will take your recommendation and get another MRI-it wont hurt right--no extra radiation?
Thanks again
So MS does not cause muscle twitching, feet buzzing and joint/bone pain?
I will take your recommendation and get another MRI-it wont hurt right--no extra radiation?
Thanks again
MSNik
08-30-2008, 11:08 PM
Hi. No, I never said MS does not cause muscle twitcing. Muscle spasms are a part of MS at times, for many- but not all patients. Feet buzzing, or any other tingling sensation in the extremeties can also be an MS thing, I havent been able to use my left hand or fingers in 2 years due to constant tingling pain...
Joint pain is NOT usually assocaited with MS, but someone here will tell you they have it...no one has the same set of symtoms with MS..
But my point is joint pain can be caused by arthritits- buzzing feet can be caused by restless leg syndrome- so can muscle spasms....all of these things can be caused by Lyme disease, Lupus and a host of other diseases...nothing you said screams of MS by itself.
Yes, you should get another MRI, I now get them quarterly- my brain and spine...no, there isnt radiation in an MRI, its magenetic and it wont hurt you.
Go see a good neuro...now is the time.
good luck
N
Joint pain is NOT usually assocaited with MS, but someone here will tell you they have it...no one has the same set of symtoms with MS..
But my point is joint pain can be caused by arthritits- buzzing feet can be caused by restless leg syndrome- so can muscle spasms....all of these things can be caused by Lyme disease, Lupus and a host of other diseases...nothing you said screams of MS by itself.
Yes, you should get another MRI, I now get them quarterly- my brain and spine...no, there isnt radiation in an MRI, its magenetic and it wont hurt you.
Go see a good neuro...now is the time.
good luck
N
Bearygood
08-31-2008, 10:43 AM
k2626, while some of the sx you're describing can be found in MS, the "cracking" makes me wonder if you've been tested for Lyme and if so, to which lab your blood was sent.
k2626
08-31-2008, 03:17 PM
Thanks guys. The twitching is getting worse I counted 28 twitches all over my body this morning just in 10 min! The cracking is getting worse too and seems even worse when I have alot of bone/joint pain
I got tested for Lyme through lcorp came back neg...just got tested through igenex and waiting results. I too feel I have it as everything else has been clear and it all onset at once for the most part aside from the twitches. However I live in san francisco so how could I have gotten it!
I got tested for Lyme through lcorp came back neg...just got tested through igenex and waiting results. I too feel I have it as everything else has been clear and it all onset at once for the most part aside from the twitches. However I live in san francisco so how could I have gotten it!
Bearygood
08-31-2008, 06:37 PM
I don't know the answer to that, LOL, but it's a good thing you're repeating the test through IGeneX. Please keep us posted. :)
k2626
09-02-2008, 05:22 PM
UPDATE- My doc is sending me in for an MRI to rule in (or OUT!) MS. This weekend it felt like a sock has been on my left leg--kinda like numb but not. He said this, the muscle twitching and vibration are all signs of MS. However, he said that the cracking is not. At anyrate, I also requested an MRI of my spine.....
Nenu
09-02-2008, 06:25 PM
UPDATE- My doc is sending me in for an MRI to rule in (or OUT!) MS. This weekend it felt like a sock has been on my left leg--kinda like numb but not. He said this, the muscle twitching and vibration are all signs of MS. However, he said that the cracking is not. At anyrate, I also requested an MRI of my spine.....
Sounds good, and glad to hear you did request the spine MRI as well!
I did not have my spine imaged during my MRI. There were actually enough lesions on my brain MRI alone, in the right places for MS, that the MRI was enough for them to dx me (along with LP results, blood work, evoked potentials).
Do keep us updated (as I'm sure you will!).
Sounds good, and glad to hear you did request the spine MRI as well!
I did not have my spine imaged during my MRI. There were actually enough lesions on my brain MRI alone, in the right places for MS, that the MRI was enough for them to dx me (along with LP results, blood work, evoked potentials).
Do keep us updated (as I'm sure you will!).
k2626
09-02-2008, 06:42 PM
Can MS show up in the blood to>
Nenu
09-02-2008, 07:05 PM
Can MS show up in the blood to>
Nope. The reason they do the blood work (in my case I had 11 vials taken) is to rule out all other possibilities. These include other autoimmune conditions, diabetes, thyroid, vitamin deficiencies. Quite a number of things!
MS has many mimics that CAN show up in blood work, so that's why they do a lot to check over things.
Nope. The reason they do the blood work (in my case I had 11 vials taken) is to rule out all other possibilities. These include other autoimmune conditions, diabetes, thyroid, vitamin deficiencies. Quite a number of things!
MS has many mimics that CAN show up in blood work, so that's why they do a lot to check over things.
Bearygood
09-02-2008, 09:56 PM
Hi, k2626. As Nenu said, blood work is done to rule things out. Even a vitamin B12 deficiency can mimic sx of MS. You might want to go to the link provided in the post at the top of the page called "The Differential Diagnosis...". It talks about what is involved in getting an MS dx and lists many other conditions that can mimic MS.
I'm glad you're getting those MRIs. It might be a good idea to bring the old films and give them to the radiologist although I'm not sure if it will be applicable because a migraine study might be different and if your MRI was normal, a comparison might not be necessary. But, it wouldn't hurt to bring them just in case, or at least call in advance to ask.
I'm glad you're getting those MRIs. It might be a good idea to bring the old films and give them to the radiologist although I'm not sure if it will be applicable because a migraine study might be different and if your MRI was normal, a comparison might not be necessary. But, it wouldn't hurt to bring them just in case, or at least call in advance to ask.
k2626
09-03-2008, 12:13 AM
Can MS symptoms develop in 1.5 yrs? My neuro said no, but I asked my GP to order the MRI for that anyway ( and to rule out other things)
My pain in my bones/joints is horrific at times and is all over the place. Does joint cracking ( I mean EXTREME cracking) go with MS?
My pain in my bones/joints is horrific at times and is all over the place. Does joint cracking ( I mean EXTREME cracking) go with MS?
Bearygood
09-03-2008, 12:25 AM
Yes, sx can develop gradually or (at least seemingly) overnight -- and everything in-between.
k2626
09-29-2008, 04:02 PM
Hi all, my MRI came back fine but he did it without contrast. Should I be concerned? I still have the non stop muscle twitches, had a nerve study and it was fine. Also I have been getting more pressure behind my eyes. For teh past 3 days I have had a right sided headache that hurts tremendously when I move around.
I feel so helpless not knowing what is going on.
Going to see a lyme specialist next week as well
I feel so helpless not knowing what is going on.
Going to see a lyme specialist next week as well
Nenu
09-29-2008, 04:10 PM
If they're looking for MS, then yes, it should have been done with contrast.
Definitely good that you're going to the lyme specialist. Did you have a full blood panel done already to rule out other conditions?
Definitely good that you're going to the lyme specialist. Did you have a full blood panel done already to rule out other conditions?
k2626
09-29-2008, 04:34 PM
Yes, I have had boat loads of blood work-all good. I am going to ask to retest for lupus too.
Do my symptoms sound like MS? Does it cause muscle twitching, extreme joint cracking and do my pulsating pains sound like it? I am so puzzled as to what is going on with my body.
Do my symptoms sound like MS? Does it cause muscle twitching, extreme joint cracking and do my pulsating pains sound like it? I am so puzzled as to what is going on with my body.
Nenu
09-29-2008, 06:42 PM
Does it cause muscle twitching, extreme joint cracking and do my pulsating pains sound like it? I am so puzzled as to what is going on with my body.
I'm by far no expert on all the symptoms that MS can cause. Joint crackling, I'd rule out. The twitching and pulsating pains, certainly can be seen with MS, but these can also be seen with so many other disorders.
I'm by far no expert on all the symptoms that MS can cause. Joint crackling, I'd rule out. The twitching and pulsating pains, certainly can be seen with MS, but these can also be seen with so many other disorders.
MSNik
09-29-2008, 07:56 PM
Hi all, my MRI came back fine but he did it without contrast. Should I be concerned?
Not necessarily. Contrast will pick up very tiny lesions or ACTIVE lesions- meaning if there is something going on at the time it is done, it will glow and show them; however MS does not develope overnight- that being said if you have MS lesions, chances are very good that something will show up on the MRI with or without contrast....most of us advise that contrast is better, and it is, simply because if something is very tiny, it might not show up without it..
HOWEVER a good Neurologist will know the MS symtoms and not base his entire dx on the MRI...some patients are dx without any lesions at all.
As for the symtoms you describe, they really arent MS like in nature. They can be- do not get me wrong. MS presents in so many different ways that its almost impossible to say something isnt MS...however, your symtoms do actually sound more Lyme like in nature. You might check out the Lyme board here on Healthboards for more info on that...but please, keep in mind, there are just as many false positives as false negatives with LYme....like an MRI, many times it must be repeated more then once to confirm or rule out the disease.
Wishing you luck with the Lyme doctor, and talk to him/her about IgeneX, one of the better labs for getting the results right!
Nikki
Not necessarily. Contrast will pick up very tiny lesions or ACTIVE lesions- meaning if there is something going on at the time it is done, it will glow and show them; however MS does not develope overnight- that being said if you have MS lesions, chances are very good that something will show up on the MRI with or without contrast....most of us advise that contrast is better, and it is, simply because if something is very tiny, it might not show up without it..
HOWEVER a good Neurologist will know the MS symtoms and not base his entire dx on the MRI...some patients are dx without any lesions at all.
As for the symtoms you describe, they really arent MS like in nature. They can be- do not get me wrong. MS presents in so many different ways that its almost impossible to say something isnt MS...however, your symtoms do actually sound more Lyme like in nature. You might check out the Lyme board here on Healthboards for more info on that...but please, keep in mind, there are just as many false positives as false negatives with LYme....like an MRI, many times it must be repeated more then once to confirm or rule out the disease.
Wishing you luck with the Lyme doctor, and talk to him/her about IgeneX, one of the better labs for getting the results right!
Nikki
Nenu
09-29-2008, 09:17 PM
Not necessarily. Contrast will pick up very tiny lesions or ACTIVE lesions- meaning if there is something going on at the time it is done, it will glow and show them; however MS does not develope overnight- that being said if you have MS lesions, chances are very good that something will show up on the MRI with or without contrast....most of us advise that contrast is better, and it is, simply because if something is very tiny, it might not show up without it..
My non contrast portion of my MRI was 'normal'. The contrast portion is where they found multiple lesions, inactive, active, and they certainly were not tiny.
My non contrast portion of my MRI was 'normal'. The contrast portion is where they found multiple lesions, inactive, active, and they certainly were not tiny.
MSJayhawk
09-29-2008, 10:53 PM
Lesions were noted back in the old days (1982) when the neurologists and neurosurgeons wanted to "test me" . Cool new machine......well we have come a long way. If the lesions show up without contrast- fine. If not, then run them with contrast. Still nothing, run an Evoked Potential. Still nothing? Run the gauntlet again in 3-6 months.
MS determination is still in the "infancy" and guidelines are always being reworked. I believe that 10-15 years from now what we are discussing today will seem like flint making fires.
Each of us is unique in his or her development of MS. Would it be good to get the complete work up? Of course, but it is not the end of the world. If nothing was found, ask for a second MRI with contrast. There is no guarantee it will find anything. I hope they find nothing and discover something that has a cure.
In the meanwhile, whatever the case, you are in my prayers.
MS determination is still in the "infancy" and guidelines are always being reworked. I believe that 10-15 years from now what we are discussing today will seem like flint making fires.
Each of us is unique in his or her development of MS. Would it be good to get the complete work up? Of course, but it is not the end of the world. If nothing was found, ask for a second MRI with contrast. There is no guarantee it will find anything. I hope they find nothing and discover something that has a cure.
In the meanwhile, whatever the case, you are in my prayers.
k2626
09-29-2008, 10:55 PM
Thanks guys!
Nik-I am going to see a LLMD on Monday actually. I was tested through Igenex and was pos on 31 but IND on 34 adn 41 on the IGM. So we will see. I dont want to be put on meds though unless I get a true pos.
Nik-I am going to see a LLMD on Monday actually. I was tested through Igenex and was pos on 31 but IND on 34 adn 41 on the IGM. So we will see. I dont want to be put on meds though unless I get a true pos.