Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'll start with my question first & then go into my background & symptoms as my background is very long; thanks if you read all the way through :-) I'm waiting on my 2nd MRI (no contrast, on brain) & blood results (for Lymes dis.). I'm wondering if my results come back normal if I should still try & pursue MS Diagnosis and additional testing & if so what I should request (ex. LP)?
Background: I'm a female currently 36; 3+ years ago (just turned 33 with good health) had upper back & neck pain. Came out of the blue, no accidents. Went to GP doc. Diagnosed pinch nerve and sent to PT along w/ given steroids & other meds for pain & muscle spasms. Started getting intense burning pain in arm, hand & fingers. Muscle Spasms in neck, shoulder & back and pressure at base of head, back/arm weakness all this on left side. Had some odd visual episodes,1 of them occurred while PT working on me; bright lights, face drained of color. They freaked out & wouldn't work on me till GP got it straightened out. Had MRI on spine (normal) and brain (normal). Finished w/ PT still wasnt fully recovered but things did get better over a year w/periodic brief flare-ups. Then very big relapse. GP sent me to pain management dr/specialist who I still see monthly (have chronic daily pain). Went through all kinds of tests (cervical spine again - normal & EMG -normal) & treatments (injections, more PT, different meds, etc.) Diagnosis changed to cervical Dystonia. Have also been to all kinds of doctors/specialists most confused by my symptoms but all can tell I'm in pain. Even though diagnosis is CD doctor not sure, cause have symptoms outside of dystonia or even pinched nerve (which no test gives proof of); he had me go through my 2nd brain MRI last week, cause of increasing symptoms. I suspect he thinks I may have MS, which I do too, but he hasn't really said. I requested a Lyme Dis. test, cause I know some one w/ it & she recommended i have done. He thought it a good idea, "so to rule it out" he said. I'm seeing a Neuro specializing in headaches Monday & hoping she can tell me results of MRI.
So my symptoms (some are more frequent then others):
-frequent, random, weekly migraines
-frequent vertigo (triggered even toward end of mri last week)
-lots of muscle twitching, cramping and spasms in feet, calf muscle, arm, stomach, neck, back, shoulder & eye on one side
-difficulty walking sometimes, feel like alignment is off, left leg cramps up, stiff calf muscle & doesn't flow or move with rest of body
-light bug feeling of crawling up & down back of neck
-exhaustion beyond norm; could easily sleep my life away
-felt like spilled water down or urinated down inner thigh or calf of leg, but haven't (nothing there)
-irritated eye, pressure behind eye, sometimes will tear up or cry from one eye
-burning left side in arm, hand, fingers, leg & toes
-tingling, pins & needles &/or numbness in toes, fingers/hand, left side of face & lips
-sharp pain and at times like an electric feeling
After taking meds pain will intensify & it feels like a spark is lit & running through my body; difficult to stand & painful but eventually calms all down & helps
-on left side: upper back, arm, hand weakness & weakness in both legs (to point of shaking) occasionally
-slight tremors
-Spacisity/tightness in neck, arm, fingers & leg
-sometimes feel like choking from the inside but only on the left side of throat
-lately voice has been getting hoarse and even started losing it one week, but not sick at the time
-sensitive to extreme temps - will sweat on just one side & if very cold extreme pricking pain in palms of hand
-feel spacy, forgetful, often can't think of right words
Okay, this is most or all of symptoms (I think). Sorry so long, but I've had a lot of symptoms over a period of time. I read in a old post that sometimes you can have nervous system/brain scaring that doesn't always show up on mri,cause it's too small. Kind of wondering if that may be my situation, but if so is it expected that eventually (x+ years) show on an mri or what kind of tests might have better results of showing damage?
THANKS!!!