Anyone got any suggestions about these symptoms? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

gremlin54 · 02-06-2006, 02:41 PM

Hi everyone.
Can anyone give me any advice? I've had numbness in the right side of my face constantly since last June. It affects the top lip, tip of my nose and, latterly my upper palate. I had an MRI (all clear) and have seen a neurologist who has also given me a clean bill of health. I've had a few migraines (which I never used to get) and I've been referred to an ENT specialist.

My first thought was that it could be MS, but I thought that MS symptoms come and go, while this numbness has been constant. I've also had some difficulty in swallowing, which makes me think that whatever it is affecting my facial nerve.

Anybody have any idea what this could be? I'm stumped and thought that the MRI might shed some light, but it was as clean as a whistle.

Many thanks

StephanieAnne · 02-06-2006, 04:25 PM

Gremlin

hmmm, so the MRI was all clear, does your jaw lock up? What about any sinus problems?
Going to a ENT is a good thing, they should be able to figure it out, I wonder if a CT scan will show anything??
My 1st relapse, my left side was affected, neck to feet nothing, in my face and right down the middle of my body, it was wierd

I hope you get some answers soon!
Keep us posted
Steph

kelpie · 02-06-2006, 05:40 PM

Hi Gremlin, When I first began have sx about 3-1/2 years ago, my eye surgeon told me to remember the "M" in MS stands for "multiple" such as multiple symptoms. I thought this was very good advice, but unfortunately for me, one symptom became two, then became many. But I still haven't been diagnosed and am not certain if I have MS or not.

Numbness can be caused by many things, and so can difficulty swallowing. Have you researched these symptoms?

With a clean MRI (mine wasn't) you may have to wait and see what happens next, unless your doctor thinks there's reason to do further testing like a spinal (also not definitive for MS but then neither is the MRI). It does sound like you might want to explore less invasive tests first. Migraines can do all kinds of odd things. Did your neuro recommend further testing? And if your symptoms continue, you might request another MRI in 3-6 months for comparison.

best wishes - I know it's frustrating to have mystery symptoms.

kelpie

Natatude · 02-07-2006, 12:26 PM

that happened to me a couple of yrs ago,, i have MS for sure,, but went to a friends house in a diff state and her and her hubby smoked some marijuana,, my husband and i do not do that but we went back to our motel after we watched some tv and talked,, and the next morning i woke up and i had that same feeling,,, when we got back home a few days later i called the neuro went and saw him and explained what they did and if that could be the cause he said he didn;t know if it could or could not cause it,,, but within a month or so it went away. i dunno what to tell u that would cause that,,, so i am sorry i can;t help u,, but just a suggestion that i myself blamed my friends and their bad habit.

lilc · 02-07-2006, 04:03 PM

Natatude, you may want to give your friends a break. There is considerable evidence that smoking that stuff actually helps some people's numbness and pain (temporarily!).