MS Symptoms/concern

[MSR2614]

Hi -
About two months ago,  I started feeling "zap" like feelings in my body..hands, feet..arms and sometimes in other places. I have not experienced  any numbness or other symptoms
I am a 45 year old male and I'm concerned that it's MS based on everything I have read.  I have been to the GP and Neurologist and they didn't seem to think so based on visual exam, but I can't imagine what else it could be. The Neuro was guessing it was something neurotoxic and ordered an MRI to rule things out and for peace of mind
I play a lot of hockey and I guess it could somehow be related to the spinal chord from a fall or a hit etc
Any thoughts?

Thanks Mike

[kwarendorf]

Hi Mike -

Because MS attacks the central nervous system (CNS) the associated symptoms are fairly broad. If you type in almost any symptom, MS is likely to show up on a list of possible causes. Most of the time MS is not the cause.

While there is no smoking gun test for MS, there is a fairly standard diagnostic process to rule MS in or out. AsJJ mentioned the process inc;uses MRI;s of head, c-spine and t-spine done with and without contract, blood tests to rule out MS mimics like Lyme, evoked potential tests, nerve conduction studies and lumbar punctures. All of this testing is done to support or refute clinical findings.

The clinical exam is the most important part of the diagnosis. As such it really should be done by a neurologist that specializes in MS. they are better equipped to notice or dismiss things than a general neurologist.

Kyle

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

In relation to MS, the electric zap feeling is called L'hermittes and it's experienced when the neck is bent forward but just like most sx's associated with MS, there are usually many other more common causes too. Strangely but today's technology related postural behaviours eg gaming, texting etc, can even cause these zaps, due to altering the curvature of the neck.  

"L'Hermittes sign is the name given to an electric shock-like sensation which often presents itself with multiple sclerosis; although Lhermitte's sign is not exclusive to ms and may be the result of some other conditions such as electrolyte imbalance, cervical cord tumour, cervical spondylosis, or even vitamin B12 deficiency.

Typically, the electric shock-like sensation radiates from the neck downwards and lasts for a very short duration; usually less than a second. The sensations can repeat indefinitely so that it might feel almost continuous.
The areas affected by Lhermitte's sign are usually the arms and / or the legs, although the sensations can radiate to the trunk."
http://www.themcfox.com/multiple-sclerosis/ms-symptoms/lhermittes-sign.htm

Athletes commonly sustain injuries, so it's possible you've at some stage sustain a spinal structural issue, that with age is now more of a problem and persistently experienced eg degenerative disc etc. You haven't mentioned bending your neck as the trigger, and if all your neurological tests were normal and testing didn't trigger it, then it's possibly not the neurological L'hermittes sign.

If it's more unpredictable random zaps, happening any where in the body, with no designable trigger or pattern, it's usually not neurological but something else eg vitamin B deficientcy, medication side effect etc etc. Keep in mind that it actually may not be MS, MRI and blood test results will put MS higher or lower on your list of potential causes, so it's in your best interest to keep an open minded and not get too overly worried!  

Cheers..........JJ