This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

In the last 2-3 years I noticed that playing music with my right hand got harder to do. I shake when I use my right hand. Good example is using a spoon or fork. Buttoning shirt, putting on belt,etc, have become hard. I went to the doctor, who sent me to a neurologist. He done a EMG and Nerve Conductivity test and said I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. After 6 weeks of PT they decided to operate. The ortho doc said my symptoms were atypical of CTS, but decided to operate. 8 weeks after surgery I stilll had the syptoms. Ortho doc sent me to another neuro.

After an initial visit he determined that my problem was a "central" problem and that I didn't need CTS surgery. I ask him what he thought he mentioned MS and Parkinsons.

My spine MRI was negative. My brain MRI showed several small white matter lesion possibly due to ................ and demyelinating disease such as MS.

I have done some blood work for Rheumatoid, CBC and other related stuff. Negative. Just had a load of blood work for seemed like it was for lupus and lymes diseas that was negative. I assume the next step is spinal tap.


My question is

Has anyone had slowed ( no rhythm) in 1 hand/arm that just got worst without no remission? After the initial visit he pointed out that my foot on the same side shook some when I used it.

Does this sound like MS?

Hi gatogordo,

I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with these issues - and also that they haven't come up with a firm diagnosis for you. I don't have a dx for you either, however.

But...I had to chime in here to say that my symptoms and experience are very similar to yours (after about 30 years of general weirdness). The only reason I was sent to a specialist (a physiatrist) in the first place 6 years ago was from a complaint about a left-handed finger tremor that slowed my fingers when playing the piano - I'm a pianist/typist. The shaking was an "intention tremor," the type that comes when you make intentional movements, and not an "essential tremor" that's more constant. My EMGs showed carpal tunnel, but he also suspected central nervous damage as well. MRIs showed MS-type lesions in my brain, too. Your post also reminded me that the same thing happened to my left foot.

Later tests confirmed CT in both my wrists & elbows and gave me a dx of HNPP, a hereditary peripheral neuropathy, like my dad. All the other tests confirmed definite MS. So...I was quickly diagnosed with both MS & HNPP, and there's no way to tell which issue is from which one. And I don't really care, because the drugs are pretty ineffective as well as repulsive to me anyway (I'm med-phobic). CT surgery is NOT recommended for HNPP, because my peripheral nerves don't heal well.

The best thing that I've ever done is when I added a really healthy diet, strenuous exercise, and lots of sleep into my lifestyle about 20 years ago. And I've even managed to control the hand tremor (without curing it) with a little finger exercise ball that's been amazing! Although I've lost some speed, I can now hit every single key on either the piano or computer keyboard accurately - and use silverware and nail polish!

There are many other types of peripheral neuropathy and causes for it, and I've posted about them many times. (You might check out this thread: http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-8138.html) The peripheral nerves are all the nerves that are NOT in the brain & spinal cord.

You really need neuros to figure it out since so many different diseases mimic MS. Personally I've found dozens of ways to relieve symptoms of both types of nerve problems over the years without meds, so don't panic.

Best of luck to you!

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Dx'd with MS & HNPP (hereditary peripheral neuropathy) 7/03 but must have had MS for 30 yrs before that. I've never taken meds for MS or MS symptoms except 1 yr experiment on LDN. (I found diet, exercise, sleep, humor, music help me the most.)

I went threw kind of the same thing. Went in for EMG for Carpel and it was normal. I had all the same tests. Blood was normal and just had the MRI today. Now I am waiting. Glad to know I am not the only one who went in for carpel Tunnel and walked out with a WTF line of testing. I have had episodes of stumbling, loss of balance, disorientation, etc. No doctor ever took it serious. Now I just wait for the MRI results...

Thanks for your replies.