This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello,

I have a neuro appointment all the way in to May (May 17th) & so I'm just very anxious. Last week I woke up with the left side of my left foot (less than half of my foot) numb & it hasn't gone away. I also have been experiencing for a year or so periodic times where my entire box has a tremor to it- not noticeable on the outside (except my hands), but I just feel like I'm just constantly shaking. Sorry for symptom dumping, but here's what I have:
- Have been nauseous for a few weeks
- Scalloped tongue for a year
- Extreme brain fog experienced once a month or so. When I have it, I have a hard time functioning at all- driving, typing, anything.
- This is a hard one to describe, but my feet just feel uncomfortable. I find myself standing on the sizes of my feet. It just feels like I have not padding on the bottoms of my feet & I'm just standing on the bones.

I realize these aren't big things, but they are worrying me sick. Would love it anyone had any thoughts to tell me to chill out while I have my long wait!

Thanks

Zak

hi there, scalloped tongue doesn't get reported much here, ime at least, so i looked it up and found this link

http://www.ann.com.au/Nutrition/disorder.htm

no science to back it up, but they are linking scalloped tongue to B3. although i haven't seen much science about ms and niacin, plenty of ms-ers have experience using high dose b3 (niacin).

here's an intro page on niacin - anything in there ring bells for you?

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 002409.htm

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Hi there- thanks for the information. I did a little reading, but this is interesting. It may have to do with the mental confusion- my diet could certainly be better.

no probs

a little more very light reading, and again just on niacin - which may or may not actually be a problem in your case, just one idea
http://www.livestrong.com/article/53374 ... europathy/

what kind of things do you eat most often?

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

This really seems to sum me up pretty well, as far as the symptons, but so many things do! I know that vitamin B12 defficiency runs in my family, where family members get shots routinely.

My diet has probably been worse in the last month than it normally is, and the last month has been especially bad. No red meat, very little fish, mostly chicken, and I do eat a lot of sweets. I don't have a lot of variety as far as vegetables & fruit go.

Do you have any thoughts on my symptoms seeming like or unlike MS symptoms? The numbness & just general shakiness/tremors worry me most.

lots of symptoms that are seen in ms are seen in other health conditions too, so it's pretty hard to answer your question.

b12 deficiency is a major differential dx for ms, and it's found in red meat too. your family members could have familial habits that lead to low b12, or perhaps inherited problems with intrinsic factor. if your docs run some bloodwork, see if they can get your serum levels of b12, b3, and b1 for starters.

my own background is b12 deficiency from dietary inadequacy. they ran a PCA test to make sure - i had no parietal cell antibodies and responded to supplemental therapy. back in the days when i could reverse my symptoms with a few days of b12 pills, all i had were numbness and weakness.

the list of deficiency symptoms for b12 looks so similar to that of niacin too (except for that scalloped tongue part):
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... t&dbid=107

a little more light reading on sugar and nutrient depletion
http://www.livestrong.com/article/44219 ... -vitamins/

as for your sweet tooth - how does your diet look for healthy sources of magnesium?:
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=75

it might be a worthwhile step while you are waiting to see the doc, to ramp sugar down a notch and gradually phase in some healthy food options. at the very least it can't do you any harm

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Great stuff. I should get updated blood work done to see.

Agreed on reducing the sugar! I'll focus on the diet from now until doctor to see if that helps.

Thanks again for your help!

no probs! keep us posted

bloodwork is tricksy - make sure you get your actual results, including units. don't let them just tell you it's 'normal' - ever taken a stats course? in many cases, it's *that* kind of normal, but normal sounds reassuringly 'healthy'. it's not though - if you're not normal, it means you're not like ANYONE else they tested, sick or healthy. if you are 'normal', it just means you fit under the bell curve. for example when you get b12 tested, they'll tell you you're normal right down to 180 pmol/L or so. but try to ensure serum b12 is at least 500pmol/L (you have to convert if your lab uses pg/mL - i can help you if you need it, later on).

sry that got a bit science-y there. for the time being, cutting down on sugar and focusing on diet are great ideas

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Scalloped tongue can be indicative of hypothyroidism, which is treatable, and could explain some of your other symptoms.

nice call, tracker. i didn't know scalloped tongue could be seen in hypothyroidism. lots of great nutrition info out there for anyone with dxd hypothyroidism.

had a scout for more of what hypo looks like, in addition to scalloped tongue:
the-clinical-picture-of-hypothyroidism
http://www.holisticprimarycare.net/topi ... thyroidism
"Thyroid hormone underwrites transcription and assembly of glycoaminoglycans. These "water magnets" are building blocks for collagen. Without intracellular glycoaminoglycans, cells can't retain water. Clinically, this manifests as dry, wrinkled skin, lusterless hair, brittle nails and the painful joints of osteoarthritis. Inability to hold water inside cells also results in fluid leakage into extracellular space. This presents as a rounded face, sub-orbital edema, leg edema, and a swollen/scalloped tongue."

tried just searching hypothyroid without specifying tongue, for this detail:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypoth ... n=symptoms
"Hypothyroidism signs and symptoms may include:
Fatigue
Sluggishness
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Pale, dry skin
A puffy face
Hoarse voice
An elevated blood cholesterol level
Unexplained weight gain
Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
Muscle weakness
Heavier than normal menstrual periods
Brittle fingernails and hair
Depression"

no time for more right now. nutrition links later

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com