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About 6 weeks ago I all of a sudden had a odd numbness in both hands (not really numbness as I still have sensation, but kind of that feeling), mainly the pinky, rinng finger, and middle finger, and that half of the hands. I went to the chiropractor with out any change and also went to the Dr. The Dr. said with that pattern of numbness it would be a problem in my upper neck at the base of my skull, and she thought it was very odd that I did not have any pain in that area (like from a buldging disk or something). She said we should give it 4-6 weeks or stretches and chiropractic care and if it is not better by then or new symptoms develop we would do an xray of my neck or possibly an MRI.

I have seen the Chiropractor a few more times and the numbness has not really changed a whole lot except that it is a less pronounced in my left hand and I also noticed that I do not feel the numbness when my hands are cold only when they are warm.

Then about a week and a half ago I started noticing a tingling in my feet, that kind of felt like vibrations when I hit my legs. This tingling has since progressed to go up my legs and my lower back (I can describe it is very mild vibrating pretty constantly and more noticiable when something hits or taps my legs). And my arms, hands, and legs just feel achy/tired/weak. I went to the chiropractor again last week and we both kind of mentioned MS, but she didn't think that was likely and wanted to give it a couple more weeks before getting imaging.

My Drs assistant called to check in yesterday and I told her of the new symptoms and she wants me to get an xray of my neck and then refer me to a spine Dr. for further work up, testing. I never actually go to talk to the Dr about the new symptom or my feelings that it could be connected to my fatigue and possibilities of MS.

I am kind of feeling a strong possibility that it could be MS (but I also have a tendancy of being convienced that something is wrong, like for the longest time I was convience that my thyroid was the cause of my fatigue even though I had it tested several times and always comes back normal). I feel like it would explain a lot of how I have been feeling the last couple years. I have been experience a lot of fatigue and lack of energy (which any provider I have seen always brushes it off as having three kids and needing to exercise but I just feel off but then I also wonder if I am just being lazy and need to exercise). I keep wondering if maybe I'm depressed, but I don't feel depressed, just physically depressed. Also trouble concentrating, bad memory Also have had a lot of back/hip discomfort since having kids. I have had a pretty extensive blood work done in september including vit B, thyroid, vit D etc, all of which have come back normal nothing since these symptoms started.

I am just wondering if going to the spine Dr is the right next step or if I should go to a neurologist? I'm just not sure if I should really feel like this could be MS or something serious or If I am just reading into something and conviencing myself that I have something like I have done in the past. Any guidance? Thanks

klr05 wrote:About 6 weeks ago I all of a sudden had a odd numbness in both hands (not really numbness as I still have sensation, but kind of that feeling), mainly the pinky, rinng finger, and middle finger, and that half of the hands. I went to the chiropractor with out any change and also went to the Dr. The Dr. said with that pattern of numbness it would be a problem in my upper neck at the base of my skull, and she thought it was very odd that I did not have any pain in that area (like from a buldging disk or something). She said we should give it 4-6 weeks or stretches and chiropractic care and if it is not better by then or new symptoms develop we would do an xray of my neck or possibly an MRI.

I have seen the Chiropractor a few more times and the numbness has not really changed a whole lot except that it is a less pronounced in my left hand and I also noticed that I do not feel the numbness when my hands are cold only when they are warm.

Then about a week and a half ago I started noticing a tingling in my feet, that kind of felt like vibrations when I hit my legs. This tingling has since progressed to go up my legs and my lower back (I can describe it is very mild vibrating pretty constantly and more noticiable when something hits or taps my legs). And my arms, hands, and legs just feel achy/tired/weak. I went to the chiropractor again last week and we both kind of mentioned MS, but she didn't think that was likely and wanted to give it a couple more weeks before getting imaging.

My Drs assistant called to check in yesterday and I told her of the new symptoms and she wants me to get an xray of my neck and then refer me to a spine Dr. for further work up, testing. I never actually go to talk to the Dr about the new symptom or my feelings that it could be connected to my fatigue and possibilities of MS.

I am kind of feeling a strong possibility that it could be MS (but I also have a tendancy of being convienced that something is wrong, like for the longest time I was convience that my thyroid was the cause of my fatigue even though I had it tested several times and always comes back normal). I feel like it would explain a lot of how I have been feeling the last couple years. I have been experience a lot of fatigue and lack of energy (which any provider I have seen always brushes it off as having three kids and needing to exercise but I just feel off but then I also wonder if I am just being lazy and need to exercise). I keep wondering if maybe I'm depressed, but I don't feel depressed, just physically depressed. Also trouble concentrating, bad memory Also have had a lot of back/hip discomfort since having kids. I have had a pretty extensive blood work done in september including vit B, thyroid, vit D etc, all of which have come back normal nothing since these symptoms started.

I am just wondering if going to the spine Dr is the right next step or if I should go to a neurologist? I'm just not sure if I should really feel like this could be MS or something serious or If I am just reading into something and conviencing myself that I have something like I have done in the past. Any guidance? Thanks

Welcome to ThisIsMS, klr05. Since you asked for guidance, I am happy to offer my opinion

First, if you have felt that something is wrong, there most likely is. You know your body best.

Next, you need to find a compassionate GP, who is willing to work with you and seriously investigate your situation. Apparently, your current PCP did order blood work in September; discuss with her the following suggestions from the University of Chicago for investigating peripheral neuropathy (Numbness/tingling in the hands, fingers, feet is "peripheral neuropathy."). She can begin ordering some of these tests:

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchic ... #bloodtest

Blood tests

Blood tests are commonly employed to check for vitamin deficiencies, toxic elements and evidence of an abnormal immune response.

Depending on your individual situation, your doctor may request certain laboratory tests to identify potentially treatable causes for neuropathy. These include tests for:
Vitamin B12 and folate levels
Thyroid, liver and kidney functions
Vasculitis evaluation
Oral glucose tolerance test (also a fasting blood insulin test)
Antibodies to nerve components (e.g., anti-MAG antibody)
Antibodies related to celiac disease
Lyme disease
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C and B

Your September blood testing was a good beginning. I encourage especially two areas listed above: #1 antibodies involved in gluten sensitivity (celiac disease); #2 a "fasting blood insulin test" – this is NOT the same as a glucose test which is used to diagnose diabetes.

Gluten sensitivity has been linked to peripheral neuropathy, chronic fatigue, anemia, brain fog, and many other "neurological symptoms." Other symptoms found with gluten sensitivity include: low copper, low magnesium, low potassium, and low zinc.

We are glad to answer any questions you might have. We are good listeners, if you just want to share. All the best to you – let us know how it goes.