Please Please help ME..I'm going crazy..!!!

[mily75]

I posted before adn it would be greatly appreciated if you guys could reply again.

I live in Canada however I moved to Canada when I was 16 from Peru (South America). Last time to make story short I had complained having tingling fingers in both hands (mainly in the pinky & ring fingers in both)

Well the tingling in my fingers continues on and off and it's gone on for 6 months now. The tingling I can live with as it comes and goes there are periods of as long as 2 weeks without feeling anything and when it comes it usually stays for 2 or 3 days throughout the day.

Now I have a new symptom which has gone on for 3 weeks. Constant lightheadness & body imbalance for 3 weeks 24/7.

The doctor sent me for a MRI in the brain. I had it and it came back clear no signs of MS. However, the MRI was done without contrast. I don't know if this makes  a huge difference. Does it??

I went again to my family doctor to tell him I'm still experiencing the symptoms and he said that he does not know what to say since the MRI is clear so he's decided to refer me  to an Ear/Nose Doctor to rule out inner ear infection and a Neurologist if an inner infeciton is not the cause.

Appointment for both is  ABOUT 1 month away. Gotta love Canada's health system!

However what's driving me bananas is the constant lightheadness and imbalance. It's affecting my work life & family life. I have 2 little kids at home that need my attention and can't function properly at home & my job.

I went to the Emergnecy Room today and the doctors run blood tests, did a quick test with my eyes and fingers to diagnose Inner Ear infection, looked at the MRI results for a second opinion, did a cardio test etc....NOTHING was found based on the doctor's opinon & blood results. Everything is normal. He said maybe the Neurologist could do a more indepth test as he can't see nothing based on testing he did.

I do take Thyroid pills (Eltroxin) but this is under control.


Pls help  I don't know what do!!!!!

[MSNav]

I've heard that the MRI needs to be done with contrast to show what needs to be seen. Also, after being diagnosed for 12 years, I just got my first spinal MRI. Lots of brain MRI's in the past (showing very little progression or no significant change). The spinal MRI showed numerous small lesions. That would explain my newest symptoms.

I'm so sorry you're going through this !  

Usually with MS, there's numbness or tingling or pain or optic neuritis, for example (or any combination of the many possible MS symptoms) on one side of the body.

MS is also characterized by incredible fatigue - but you may be experiencing that related to thyroid or being a busy mom.

A friend of mine has Ménière’s disease, which affects balance and hearing.  

Just some thoughts. I hope it helps.

Lauren

[mily75]

Hi Lu,

Thanks for the response. Do my symptoms sound possible for MS?

[Lulu54]

There will be no going crazy unless I can go along! LOL

At this point in your testing it is ok that there was no contrast used.  The contrast is beneficial to show if lesions are active, but those lesions will also show up without contrast.  

Getting in to see the ENT in a month sounds pretty close to what we experience here in the US.

Please ask your doctor if there is something you can take for the dizziness - I'm sorry you are struggling with all of this.

feel better, Lu