This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hi!
Thank you for having this forum where confused people like me can post and get advice from those with more experience in such things.

I'm a 50 yo female, over-weight but am (or was) in good Health. My 2 big toes started falling asleep and the top of my foot going numb earlier this year ... Didn't think too much of it since it only happened a few times and then went away. Then one day after a long bike ride both feet had numbness and tingling and mild cramping ( just an odd feeling) up my lower legs. I also started with carpal tunnel symptoms in both arms at about the same time. Symptoms in both arms and legs come and go day by day but they are pretty much all there when I wake up every morning. Ick! Most recently I got a totally unexpected muscle spasm and now pain in my lower left back when I bent down. (Also get brain fog but that could be stress.)

I've had all the lab tests so not Lyme or b12 etc. My MRI"s all came back clean (except for scattered foci the doctor thought was from high blood pressure.) My evoked potentials are good except for one
nerve in my foot which has caused the EDB to atrophy. My neuro said my hands were carpal tunnel and feet problems was from crossing my feet at my ankles. He didn't address why they would occur at the same time. He said to go back if the symptoms continue ( and they have)

I wanna wait until I can get long term disability before I go back in case this is MS. (as my regular
doctor suspected since she immediately had a brain MRI done) but am not sure if that's the best decision or not. I've only had the symptoms for a couple months but I'm getting worried since I now have mild cramping in my upper legs as well.

Could this be MS and if so, will it cause problems if I delay seeking care?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Esh

Welcome to ThisIsMS,Esh. You have found an understanding group who generally try to help each other. Although we have all gravitated to this website, we are still unique individuals with unique experiences and unique ideas on the cause and way to treat this hateful disease of MS.

Since my own obsession focuses on insulin as a possible MS cause and you describe yourself as "overweight," I wonder if your physician has ever checked your fasting blood insulin level? A person cannot put on weight without insulin. Too much weight can indicate too much insulin.

Since you asked:

Could this be MS and if so, will it cause problems if I delay seeking care?

I offer you my opinion – it COULD be MS, but it could be many, many other conditions. You and your doctor will have to eliminate the possibilities; if MS is "the last man standing", then…

If by "care" you mean medications, I do not believe that a delay would cause problems. I encourage you to adopt a healthy diet (such as http://www.TerryWahls.org) and exercise program without delay; in my opinion, diet and exercise have the greatest chance of a positive effect on MS – in the event this is your eventual diagnosis. In any event, a healthy lifestyle is good for everyone.

Hey Esh-
sounds more like peripheral neuropathy than MS. Especially since your MRI doesn't look like MS, but more like a vascular condition.
Linda's advice is great...look into taking care of underlying health issues (weight, blood pressure) with nutrition and exercise, and these problems may clear up.
Insulin issues, or being in a pre-diabetic state can cause the tingling in the extremities you are describing--
getting back into good health will really help that.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/periph ... hy/DS00131
best of luck to you!
cheer

Thank you for the reply. You're right. Diet and excercise is important.

The doctor didn't test my insulin but did test my fasting glucose. It was 86 (acceptable range 65-99) so she didnt suspect diabetes. I'm on meds so my blood pressure is under control. I walk 1-3 miles a day and before my extremities started going bad, I rode my bike about 20 miles a week (nothing strenuous, just around town where it's flat) and lost about 15 pounds. (but havent riden my bike since the original incident and my diet isn't as good since then either 'cause I'm a bit nervous about it all) my cholesterol is a little high, 210, but my HDL is okay (61) my tsh is 2.8 (.45-4.5) I'm trying to watch my diet and eat more greens and fresh veggies plus take vit d, and a daily vitamin now and might start with magnesium supplement as well.

Your responses relieve me some what but I wish I knew what was happening (but at the same time I'm scared to know!)

I appreciate your input and will work on my diet. Thanks!

Esh

-Jacque

Diabetes is defined in terms of glucose levels; 86 does fall within the reference range for normal, but seems high for "fasting" conditions. My last fasting glucose was 87, surprisingly high since I eat no carbohydrates and it was also a fasting test.

I still recommend a fasting serum insulin test; this is one of the least expensive blood tests; it was developed only about 50 years ago; I think it will become as routine as cholesterol testing soon. (A good result is under 6 UU/ML; ideal is under 3) My first test was 12; I can't get it under 9 since that time.

Please discuss metabolic syndrome with your physician (in the collection of symptoms –weight, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. – in the definition of this syndrome is excess insulin production).

In the meantime, you seem to have begun a good diet and exercise program.

If this condition does not improve sometime in the future you will have to have a spinal tap to see what is going on with the CSF. MS can be hard to diagnose it took six years then a spinal tap confirmed it.