This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello,

Im looking for some advice or support. I am 39 this year, female, and generally healthy. Last week my right leg felt "rubbery" and I just didnt have full control over it. It started while I was on the treadmill at my gym, and my personal trainer thought that perhaps it's muscle fatigue.

A day later, my right arm started with pins and needles, and felt warm and swollen (its not swollen however). Now, its been a few days, and I have hardly any feeling in this right arm. Its so hard just to type this. I saw my doctor on Friday and he referred me to a neurologist..

Then last night (Saturday) my left hand started to tingle. Fearing that this is spreading, we went to the ER, had a CT scan, and some very very basic neuro tests (roll tongue, squeeze fingers, touch nose, etc). The CT scan came back clear. I will be seeing the neuro on Wed.

Today, me leg feels less "rubbery" but my right arm is almost entirely "asleep" and just wont wake up. My left hand is still tingling, and Im nauseous. I have no fever or headaches.

Did anyone else have these symptoms before MS diagnosis? I discussed the chances with the ER doc and he said it's a possibility, but that it can be many things. Im just looking for advice.

thank you in advance.

hey there, sounds like no fun. it's true that numbness and tingling can be caused by a variety of problems. i'm sure many of us ms-ers had sensory issues like yours prior to our diagnosis, but you personally might not have the full checklist of results that end in a decision to diagnose ms.
nevertheless, your body is obviously letting you know that something is out of whack.
there are a few different questions that can help you figure out what might be going on:
do you train a lot?
what part of the world do you live in?
are there health issues that run in your family?
have you been sick or had any health problems, even minor ones, at all in the past?
any other long-term symptoms or issues, that aren't as obvious and sudden as this numbness?

Hi Jimmy,

Thank you for your reply. I am overweight and just starting working out again in January. I used to work out a lot before my car accident, over 12 years ago.

One of the major symptoms that I can think of which started BEFORE this numbness was a tingling in both feet. It's intense and feels like millions of little bubbles popping whenever the bottom of my feet touch anything.

Otherwise, I have bad lower back pain on the right hand side but my doctors have said that shouldnt cause the arm and hand numbness, its just not the right area of the back. My right leg is also "restless" and spasms a lot lately. My left leg is totally normal still.

I'm just scared. I know it can be so many things, and I guess Im here just searching for ideas, answers, and others experiences. Thanks for caring. Have a great day.

ah the carbonated feet. that's a weird one huh.
do you have a dietary plan as well as an exercise plan?

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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

Yes, the feet. Is that something experienced by MS patients? I was describing it to doctors as "eppervescent". Feels like my feet are in a bowl of Schwepps GingerAle!! Odd.

I do not have a nutrition plan. I have been trying to cut back on sugars and high fats since I started the gym again. I do consume a ton of veggies and fruits. Probably on average, 3x the daily guidelines. Lots of dark greens, and red grapes. I take Omega, MultiVitamin, Calcium, low-dose aspirin, and zoloft (100mg) daily.

My fitness routine has been going to the gym 3-4 times a week, with 30 minutes of fast cardio each of those visits, then weight training and resistance training. Otherwise, Im the mom of two young boys so Im always on the run and doing things around the house.

Are the feet feeling funny a big clue to MS?

well, i had the ginger ale feet for a while. it's not something i hear a lot of people describing though.
you and your docs will need to establish whether your sensory problems are peripheral or central. ms is central. maybe you can get bubble feet from a peripheral issue too, i don't know.
and just because i have had that symptom too, don't get freaked out. i wouldn't take me as a representative ms patient really... when i got my ms diagnosis they discounted my b12 history (my doctor's computer system had a glitch), and never mind the vegan background. since i was diagnosed i have gone about identifying deficiencies and working to correct them, and i haven't had the carbonated feet thing more than maybe once since mid-2006.
dark greens are awesome, good call. do you eat fish? are there minerals in your multivitamin too? how much d3 is in that multivit?

Even migraines can produce sensory symptoms like this.

Please don't go to the worst case scenario before the smaller fixable things have been ruled out, it will more likely be one of those smaller things rather than a serious illness. Otherwise you'll go crazy with worry!

Hope you find out the cause soon, best of luck

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Concussus Resurgo
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RR-MS dx 1998 and Coeliac dx 2003
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Copaxone, Cymbalta. EPO, Fish Oils, Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily, Cal/Mag/Zinc, Multivitamin/mineral, Co-Enzyme Q10, Probiotics, Milk Thistle.

Thank you all very much for your help and encouragement. Ive never experienced ANYTHING like this,, and it all started after going to the gym. Common sense tells me that Im doing some things there that are aggravating my body. But the worry-wart in me says that I have something far worse that will render my limbs numb forever. I see the neuro on Wed. Thanks again!

Miss_Moose.....
Waiting for any diagnosis is a horrible hell. I found it to be far worse than the actual diagnosis itself. The "answer" to the question "what is wrong with me" can sometimes come as a relief.

I hope you find your answer soon and until then, cross the bridge when you get to it.

Take care.