Aa
various symptoms
Hi,
I’d like an opinion about the necessity of consulting a neurologist in person before I decide to make an appointment.
Preexisting conditions:
- I was diagnosed with PKC (now known as PKD) 10 years ago, at age 17.
- My knees have had difficulty in the past. They warn me with a dull pain whenever I try activities that are too strenuous, but I usually walk several miles each day without difficulty.
Situation:
- Six weeks ago, my legs began to feel “out of breath.” They felt “old” and cold and I became concerned when I would go up/down stairs because I felt like I might fall: I had to concentrate in order to feel safe.
- Three weeks ago, both knees, without any apparent aggravation, began to hurt badly (*much* more than before.) I also had pains in other parts of my lower legs. “Oldness” increased.
- Two days later, I became quite dizzy and slightly confused. There were a couple of times when I felt like I was somewhat spinning, but most of the time I felt like there was a thick cloud of unsteadiness in and around my head. This feeling became worse throughout the next week and a half, lessened for several days after that, and is now becoming worse again. (I’ve been using a cane and haven’t been able to go to school.) No fever, headache, or vomiting. Occasional, mild nausea.
- Fatigue came with the imbalance. During one day, I felt absolutely exhausted after 2-3 hours of minimal exertion. It took me two days to recover. On another day, I felt like my torso would love to go for a 15 mile hike, but it would be such a tremendous thing for my arms and legs to walk around the block.
- Other symptoms: sore/weird feeling in upper back of neck, left eye twitch, cold hands/feet, intense, “electric” reactions to being surprised (e.g. if there’s a loud noise, etc.), PKD symptoms on left side of body (not new, but unusual).
I was examined by a doctor on campus who wants me to wait to see if it goes away (in case of vestibular neuritis).
Thank you.
I’d like an opinion about the necessity of consulting a neurologist in person before I decide to make an appointment.
Preexisting conditions:
- I was diagnosed with PKC (now known as PKD) 10 years ago, at age 17.
- My knees have had difficulty in the past. They warn me with a dull pain whenever I try activities that are too strenuous, but I usually walk several miles each day without difficulty.
Situation:
- Six weeks ago, my legs began to feel “out of breath.” They felt “old” and cold and I became concerned when I would go up/down stairs because I felt like I might fall: I had to concentrate in order to feel safe.
- Three weeks ago, both knees, without any apparent aggravation, began to hurt badly (*much* more than before.) I also had pains in other parts of my lower legs. “Oldness” increased.
- Two days later, I became quite dizzy and slightly confused. There were a couple of times when I felt like I was somewhat spinning, but most of the time I felt like there was a thick cloud of unsteadiness in and around my head. This feeling became worse throughout the next week and a half, lessened for several days after that, and is now becoming worse again. (I’ve been using a cane and haven’t been able to go to school.) No fever, headache, or vomiting. Occasional, mild nausea.
- Fatigue came with the imbalance. During one day, I felt absolutely exhausted after 2-3 hours of minimal exertion. It took me two days to recover. On another day, I felt like my torso would love to go for a 15 mile hike, but it would be such a tremendous thing for my arms and legs to walk around the block.
- Other symptoms: sore/weird feeling in upper back of neck, left eye twitch, cold hands/feet, intense, “electric” reactions to being surprised (e.g. if there’s a loud noise, etc.), PKD symptoms on left side of body (not new, but unusual).
I was examined by a doctor on campus who wants me to wait to see if it goes away (in case of vestibular neuritis).
Thank you.
A related discussion, dizziness /stomach/bowel probles was started.
In terms of competency, campus docs are hit and miss in my expereince with them. I'm glad your're seeing a neurologists.
Why is everyone always worried about ALS? Look up the symptoms on google. You don't have them.
I'd be worried about Transverse Myelitis if I were you.
I know it's scary to have undiagnoised symptoms. Best of luck to you.
Why is everyone always worried about ALS? Look up the symptoms on google. You don't have them.
I'd be worried about Transverse Myelitis if I were you.
I know it's scary to have undiagnoised symptoms. Best of luck to you.
I'm sort of glad a doctor hasn't answered this yet because some new symptoms have shown up. I'm now absolutely going to see a neurologist (and found some nearby hospitals that offer "charity care," so not having insurance shouldn't be a problem), but would still like an opinion from a neurologist on here.
The last few days I've been having a lot of trouble using my fingers for tasks requiring some amount of precision (e.g. I have trouble writing and typing, but opening doors and brushing my teeth is fine.) This is especially prominent on the left side (and especially the left thumb), but significant on the right side. My hands feel cold and hurt and my left arm has shooting pain that goes up to the shoulder whenever I write/type/etc. The pain isn't intense, but it's cold and feels like nerve pain. Also, my neck is stiff in back and it feels like I'm being slightly choked in front (underneath the jaw, with vertical pain along the arteries.) I've also been having various pains in my head.
Still, dizziness is the most notable symptom.
I can't imagine it being something minor anymore, but I have a decided preference towards something like MS as opposed to ALS. Does ALS ever involve dizziness? Could MS account for all of my symptoms? Please feel free to be open and honest about your opinion. (Also, I'm 27, which I believe would be abnormally young for ALS.)
The last few days I've been having a lot of trouble using my fingers for tasks requiring some amount of precision (e.g. I have trouble writing and typing, but opening doors and brushing my teeth is fine.) This is especially prominent on the left side (and especially the left thumb), but significant on the right side. My hands feel cold and hurt and my left arm has shooting pain that goes up to the shoulder whenever I write/type/etc. The pain isn't intense, but it's cold and feels like nerve pain. Also, my neck is stiff in back and it feels like I'm being slightly choked in front (underneath the jaw, with vertical pain along the arteries.) I've also been having various pains in my head.
Still, dizziness is the most notable symptom.
I can't imagine it being something minor anymore, but I have a decided preference towards something like MS as opposed to ALS. Does ALS ever involve dizziness? Could MS account for all of my symptoms? Please feel free to be open and honest about your opinion. (Also, I'm 27, which I believe would be abnormally young for ALS.)
Since a doctor hasn't answered this yet, I want to add a couple more symptoms that might help ...
- About four days ago I noticed a buzzing in my left ear. It's very mild, but has been present continuously.
- This morning my face, neck, and shoulder on the left side of my body became slightly numb. I noticed it particularly when trying to swallow. This happened about a week ago as well, but since it had only happened once, I didn't think of it as a symptom worth mentioning in my original post.
- About four days ago I noticed a buzzing in my left ear. It's very mild, but has been present continuously.
- This morning my face, neck, and shoulder on the left side of my body became slightly numb. I noticed it particularly when trying to swallow. This happened about a week ago as well, but since it had only happened once, I didn't think of it as a symptom worth mentioning in my original post.
I understand your situation, and I thank you for the additional information. I'm quite interested to see what the site doctor will have to say.
Hi,
Thank you for your comment. I think that I should include some more information for the doctor. My situation is complicated because I don't have medical insurance and only a little bit of money. My experience with the doctor on campus has been strange to say the least -- it's as though I'm imposing on him. But, he's the only doctor that I have free access to, so he's the one I'm seeing. What I'd like to hear from the neurologist on here is an opinion of the potential problems and the potential seriousness. The symptoms just seem to be increasing, but there's a difference in urgency if I might have something minor (or even something serious like MS) compared to a brain tumor, etc. (At first, I was convinced the doctor on campus was going to send me to the hospital, but since he didn't even seem to think of it as an option, I have no idea how serious my symptoms are.)
In relation to vestibular neuritis, I should say that I don't have nystagmus and the position/movement of my head has no effect on my dizziness/imbalance. So far as PKD goes, it has been relatively harmless in my case, but occurs anywhere from 5 - 50 times/day.
Thanks again for your comment and thanks in advance to the doctor.
Phillip
Thank you for your comment. I think that I should include some more information for the doctor. My situation is complicated because I don't have medical insurance and only a little bit of money. My experience with the doctor on campus has been strange to say the least -- it's as though I'm imposing on him. But, he's the only doctor that I have free access to, so he's the one I'm seeing. What I'd like to hear from the neurologist on here is an opinion of the potential problems and the potential seriousness. The symptoms just seem to be increasing, but there's a difference in urgency if I might have something minor (or even something serious like MS) compared to a brain tumor, etc. (At first, I was convinced the doctor on campus was going to send me to the hospital, but since he didn't even seem to think of it as an option, I have no idea how serious my symptoms are.)
In relation to vestibular neuritis, I should say that I don't have nystagmus and the position/movement of my head has no effect on my dizziness/imbalance. So far as PKD goes, it has been relatively harmless in my case, but occurs anywhere from 5 - 50 times/day.
Thanks again for your comment and thanks in advance to the doctor.
Phillip
How much longer does the campus doc want you to wait? Until you can no longer make it to the bathroom?
If it were me, I'd have already made the appointment. PKD patients don't have the same luxury of time as unaffected individuals. Vestibular neuritis may resolve by itself, though your odds are better with physical therapy. But since you need a doctor to write a prescription for it anyway, you might as well make the appointment. If it's not vestibular neuritis, you'll be glad you made the appointment without further delay.
I hope you recover quickly. - Jeff
If it were me, I'd have already made the appointment. PKD patients don't have the same luxury of time as unaffected individuals. Vestibular neuritis may resolve by itself, though your odds are better with physical therapy. But since you need a doctor to write a prescription for it anyway, you might as well make the appointment. If it's not vestibular neuritis, you'll be glad you made the appointment without further delay.
I hope you recover quickly. - Jeff
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