Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been referred to a neurologist by my general practitioner, but the appointment is six weeks away, and I am worried. I would like to know if this sounds like multiple sclerosis (MS) and what scans I might be likely to have. The complaint started with numbness in the distribution of the femoral nerve two weeks ago. Now with some pain and weakness in the knee while walking. Thigh pain when stretched back, lower back pain. There are no hard neurological signs in me. Lower limb reflexes are normal. The SLR (straight leg raising) test is 90 degrees in both legs. I have some subjective altered sensation around my left knee and further down in my left leg. I have soreness in my left hip at night and hot and cold sensations around the leg and behind the knee. I have had on-and-off hip pain since my first pregnancy, eight years ago. I have three children, and the youngest one is 1.5 years old.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your question carefully and would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be related to multiple sclerosis. So, just relax and do not worry about it. In my opinion, your complaints are related to a possible bulging disc in the lumbar vertebral column, which is causing radiating nerve pain and numbness in the leg. It is also the main cause of back pain. For this reason, it is necessary to perform a lumbar column CT (computerized tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to investigate this disorder. Meanwhile, I would suggest having some rest and avoiding prolonged standing or sitting positions. Taking painkillers (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen) coupled with a muscle relaxant (Flexeril—cyclobenzaprine) would help improve your situation. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take the medications with their consent.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am going for a lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tomorrow and hope this will confirm just that. I had to push for this from my general practitioner, as she seemed to think that it was not this due to reflexes being good and movement being good, I think. And because she thought it should be gone after two or three weeks if it was a trapped nerve. So when she said it could be neurological and wanted to consider multiple sclerosis (MS) or something related, I was aghast. And I have been so anxious that I am imagining all sorts of symptoms. I really hope it is a bulging disc or related. Do you think that could account for cold tingling in wrists or hands? I think I will sleep better tonight.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
In the case of an L4-L5 disc, the reflexes are well preserved. As you have lumbar back pain with radiating pain in the leg, it is very likely that you have a bulging disc at this level. Regarding the tingling in your hands and wrist, it could be related to carpal tunnel syndrome. Do you have these symptoms frequently during the night and the need to move or shake your hands to remove the tingling or pain? This would be another argument in favor of carpal tunnel syndrome. A nerve conduction study (electroneurography) would help examine the nerves in your hands and legs and investigate this disorder, as well as the pinched nerves in your legs. You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests. I would be happy to review your magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report for a second opinion whenever you are able to upload it.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I have no bulging disc after a lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). I was able to see a neurologist last week. She said it was extremely unlikely to be MS, as numbness was only in the L4 distribution. She examined me, etc., but no brain MRI. I am just contacting you for some reassurance regarding multiple sclerosis (MS). I suffer from anxiety, and I have gotten myself in a panic over my symptoms again. Currently, I am having physio for nerve tethering in the left thigh (part of my femoral nerve).
My numbness hasn’t subsided as yet, and I’m getting a lot of hot sensations and mild electric shock-type feelings in my calf and thigh. Some pain around the knee. No pain in my back or hips at the moment. I know this can take a long time to come right, but what is bothering me is that I am feeling tingling/slight numbness in my right fingers and right toes. Slight numbness in the sole and slight tingly shocks in the right calf and lower right arm. I think I have a little sensation around my forehead! I think I’ve had these symptoms before, but I always put it down to anxiety.
It’s only that I have this problem with my left leg that I am getting into a tizzy. I also have tinnitus, but I get it all the time on and off. I should also mention that I lost my dad a year ago to cancer, and my mother thinks my bereavement might be at play here.
Sorry to be asking you again; I know that these are all probably anxiety symptoms, but my mind is running riot since the doctor mentioned it to me, and I feel I need your opinion again.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I am glad that your spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is normal. As the numbness persists, I would suggest performing a nerve conduction study (electroneurography) to investigate for a possible pinched nerve, as the numbness persists and the bulging disc has been excluded. I would exclude MS (multiple sclerosis), considering your symptoms. So, just do not think about it anymore. I would recommend performing a lot of physical activity.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for your reply.
Do you mind saying why you think it is not multiple sclerosis (MS)? I am feeling very concerned about this in particular.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Your symptoms are not suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple sclerosis is characterized by spread symptoms through the body (limb weakness, gait imbalance, troubles with vision, double vision, paralysis, etc.), which occur as different isolated episodes that last for some weeks and disappear. You have no such clinical history. In my opinion, it could be just a pinched nerve. That is why it is necessary to perform electroneurography. If these test results are normal, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of your complaints. Fibromyalgia can not be excluded either. Anyway, both these causes are quite benign and can be treated successfully. So, there is nothing to worry about. The probable cause can be a pinched nerve or fibromyalgia.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
That is the sort of information I needed to help my overanxious mind. I feel I need more information than most for reassurance. My neurologist has not given me so much detail. That’s what’s feeding my doubt, I think. Although she feels MS is not the problem, since giving her extra info, the same as I gave you, she thinks I should have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan to give a definitive no to multiple sclerosis (MS).
She thinks it’s the only true way I’ll be reassured. I am so worried in the meantime, and have the worst anxiety I have ever had about this. Since the other day, my right hand and right foot have felt horrible burning/tingling/numbness, especially around the knuckles and little finger. Also unusual numbness sensation (although different from the left leg) from the top of the foot to the knee, and the top of the hand and forearm.
It sort of comes and goes. I feel generally sensitive all over. I do not feel any loss of strength and am walking fine, etc. I am so sorry to be asking for some reassurance about MS again, but I have never felt such horrible symptoms before, and I am hoping it is all anxiety based on the MS seed that was put in my head. I am sure once I have my brain MRI, my anxiety will lift. Wish it were today.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Your symptoms are not typical of multiple sclerosis (MS). I am afraid that these symptoms are related to anxiety, as I already told you about possible MS symptoms in other patients, and your brain is probably stimulating these feelings without being conscious of this. Anyway, as a neurologist, I would like to reassure you that your symptoms are not typical of MS. I agree with your doctor's decision to perform a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as this will definitely help you to calm down and put your mind at peace. In the meantime, I would recommend taking 0.25 mg of alprazolam for some days and avoiding caffeine intake to help manage your anxiety.
I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for the reply.
Thankfully, my general practitioner (GP) interpreted the results as completely fine, and, as you can see, the neurologist has dispatched the scan and report to me. I suppose I am seeking some definite closure from you regarding multiple sclerosis (MS). It seems strange, but because I still have unexplained/uninvestigated symptoms, my mind bounces back to multiple sclerosis (MS) (or should I say I searched for numbness, etc., and MS pops up).
I have developed ulnar syndrome in my right hand (GP says symptoms are definite - ring and little finger burning/numbness on the edge of the hand). The other fingers are totally fine. Sore forearm, upper arm, and elbow.) My leg symptoms, as described before, are still the same - pain in the knee when I crouch and numbness in the knee and bottom leg inside, stopping at the ankle. I am getting slight numbness around my nose and lips, which comes and goes. I believe this is stress from all the worry this year about health.
When I search for ulnar entrapment with multiple sclerosis (MS), etc., it pops up, and the fear sets in again. I know I shouldn't do this, but I need reassurance from a neurologist that these symptoms aren't related to MS and that it hasn't been missed in a scan. I promise that I am not a neurotic person normally; people would describe me as very level-headed and laid-back.
I just can not seem to think logically regarding this matter since the MS seed was planted. My anxiety has decreased dramatically since my brain scan results, but it pops up now and again when my symptoms annoy me, and I make the mistake of turning to the internet. My GP has told me about it. He thinks that my arm and leg symptoms are similar - and due to wear and tear, possibly. I was a dancer in my younger years and have had physical jobs since, as well as three children.
Kindly suggest.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I reviewed your brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report carefully and would agree with your general practitioner (GP) that they are perfectly normal. So, we can completely exclude multiple sclerosis (MS). Coming to this point, you should try not to think about it. Ulnar nerve entrapment and other pinched nerve syndromes are related to a wrong posture, sometimes due to the profession or housework, etc.
MS is out of the question, as all your tests have resulted in normal, and this diagnosis is usually based on certain MRI findings (which is not your case). Anxiety seems to be playing an important role in this clinical scenario. Regarding the ulnar nerve, correcting your posture can help. Anyway, nerve conduction studies are necessary to determine the degree of ulnar nerve compression and determine if there is a need for decompressive surgery (which is mini-surgery).
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Aida Abaz Quka
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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