This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello, there!

A year or so ago I started experiencing phantom (rotten, unnatural, pungent, persistent) smells. They lasted a couple weeks until it gradually subsided. A few months ago they began again, and I became worried it could be a brain tumor. I consulted with an ENT, who performed a CT of the sinus and did not find any possibilities (other than an enlarged Adnoid that he suggested might have dried mucus on it generating a smell). He then sent me for an MRI of the brain, which was read by a neuroradiologist and showed 100% normal. Around that exact time, I started developing a metallic taste in my mouth, which has become more and more persistent and pungent (it is now 2-3 weeks later). I've tried switching toothpastes, using mouthwash & flossing more, eliminating alcohol, spicy foods, changing what source I drink my water from, taking tums to rule out acid reflux (although I have no other symptoms), and other things. Nothing has helped.. Around the same time I also started getting numbness/tingling in my hands, with my left hand once going completely numb. Since then, my right hand has been experiencing some numbness. This could be carpal tunnel (I work on computers for a living), so I've been wearing a wrist brace and doing exercises - which hasn't helped a whole lot. Just a couple times, I have also experienced a numbing/tingling (not painful) sensation at the tip of my tongue, for example after I wake up from a nap. It takes 30-45 minutes to subside. This last thing is what finally trigged me to write here..

I'm a 23 year old male with no other major health issues (other than being diagnosed with OCD, and commonly anxious). Should the MRI I received mostly put me at ease? What should I do next?

Thank you!

My symptoms were numbness that started in my left shoulder and slowly spread through the whole left side of my body. It may be possible that u got ur MRI too soon and now u might have a lesion. Maybe u can tell ur regular doctor about the numbness and ask them to refer u to a neurologist.

Thanks for the reply.. I'll add to this and be more specific. I don't have numbness in my right wrist - just a hint of it in my right wrist when it's at certain angles. I'm hoping this is simply Carpal. Can anyone else here speak more to the MRI being inconclusive? How unheard of is this?

worriedfella wrote:I'm hoping this is simply Carpal. Can anyone else here speak more to the MRI being inconclusive? How unheard of is this?

Welcome to ThisIsMS, worriedfella. We are happy to share our experiences, our ideas, and suggestions; we don't have all the answers to questions, but we will try to help.

It is not at all uncommon to have MS symptoms but no lesions showing on MRI. In fact, in my own case lesions were first found on my FOURTH MRI. My initial EMG test and visual evoked response testing were all normal. It can take YEARS for some people to be given the MS diagnosis because it is an exclusionary diagnosis – many other conditions with similar symptoms are ruled out first.

Thanks for the reply. At this point I should stop worrying and schedule an appt with a neurologist - thanks for the replies, but I'm not sure I need more scary things Unless, of course, your post is about positive stuff! Silver lining and all! Thank you again

I think my first "issues" years ago were optic neuroitis! (sp?) Find your self a GOOD neuroligist that listens to you! Try not to stress/worry. Makes life worse.

gramcjk

Hi guys I'm really!!!!! worried!
Well I had this weakness feeling (which turned out to be spastic feeling) in my left leg below knee as well as that I had a bit of needle and pins sensation in ma legs and a little now and then pains in my extremities 2 years ago. Now I went to the neurologist for my weakness feeling as well as fatiqgue (even after a lot of sleep). He checked my leg reflexes as well as plantar reflexes and one or two reflexes of my hand and checked my walking on my heels and my toes and said to me that he found nothing wrong and that I'm anxious. some months ago I also developed a vibration sense in my left foot which was there for some days and then went away.
I also have this feeling which I'm really afraid it's lhermitt's sign. Sometime when I flex my head I feel a very slight vibration or tingling in the arch of my foot. I'm really worried that these are the early signs of MS
He was right I was anxious about these being the early signs of MS I still am. cause I feel tired even after sleeping. The doctor has a fellowship from UCLA but I still feel worried if I got MS and if he didn't search enough on my medical examination. then I saw this site: http://www.msconnection.org/Blog/April- ... ust-Clumsy and my anxiety got worst! I have no trouble in running however I feel the fatigue though. I feel a bit clumsy in my right hand too which I don't know if it is a right feeling or know cause I have no trouble in typing fast.
Should I be assured by the normal reflexes or should I go visit another neurologist? Is my l'hermitt's sign true? does it mean I'm gonna get MS in future?
2 years ago I had a MRI from my brain (BUT NOT SPINE!) due to my fear about MS and it went out normal. I also sometimes feel a little pain in my eye (which is really little and I have no vision problems) which I fear may be the start of optic neuritis but my pupillary reflex is normal. (I'm a 21 years old male)
I'm feeling really anxious now that doctor put me on Amitryptiline.
Could this be the start of MS?