Numb fingertips

[PenguinsRabbits]

Had numb fingertips for about 3 weeks constantly now on both hands. Is there anything you can do to improve this? Not sure of cause, came on after had funny turn where couldn't speak or move for 5 minutes. CT scan of brain was clear, mri ordered but as non urgent so could be few months and driving me nuts. Blood sugar fine, not cold, arm also affected. Husband thinks I need further tests but not sure they can do anything.

[dreygrey]

Anxiety?

[PenguinsRabbits]

Its not impossible its that, its one theory they are considering though its constant. Failed lots of neurological tests. Just felt fingertips and they are freezing. Online it suggested windmilling your arms and that helps. Husband thinks its not anxiety but hard to know - I am an anxious person but balance has been badly off for 2 years constantly and came on suddenly with no obvious increase in anxiety / stress. Have tried reducing stress levels and no change. But am wary of doing masses of tests incase it is anxiety. MRI should pick up anything neurological anyway.

[avocadochocolate]

MRI is not foolproof. I was reading a story only yesterday about a man who was having all kinds of problems. MRI was normal, lumbar puncture was also normal. He was eventually diagnosed with MS after another test (can't remember what it was called). I'm sure this is unusual though.

[PenguinsRabbits]

Am still awaiting MRI - I think they are pretty accurate on the whole though a few things can be missed but will go with what it says. The CT I had was with no contrast and that was normal but that the doctors said is really rough and misses quite a lot - they said it misses smaller brain tumours, misses MS and some strokes. Though was glad they did it and there was nothing at all.

When I was working (had to stop due to ill health) the private doctor who was the Occupational Therapist said she thinks it will be MS but if MRI is clear her first alternative would be anxiety. I did have a bite matching Lyme though and symptoms are almost identical to MS, timing is right and respond to antibiotics for it but doctors here won't take that seriously. They did get me to do blood test for it at hospital at least (which is now lost and only picks up 33% to 50% of cases anyway and is most accurate much earlier) and the younger doctor said she thought it would be that but was overruled by other doctor who said it would be anxiety then neurologist overruled that and said could be brain tumour. But at least MRI should be able to see stroke, brain tumour or MS. It affects both sides not symmetrically and very few headaches so MS is only one of those I think might show. I have every symptom on MS list but get better with antibiotics so thought it wouldn't be and Lyme more likely. Lyme often doesn't show on MRI but might just. Just keep hoping something will show - certain things have but not enough to explain everything. Thanks very much.

[dreygrey]

I had all the symptoms on the MS list but it was anxiety unless I've had undiagnosed MS for 10 years.

[Silvercatowner]

I had all the symptoms on the MS list but it was anxiety unless I've had undiagnosed MS for 10 years.

Me too. Its very disconcerting.

[PenguinsRabbits]

That's interesting. I have had anxiety for 10 years or so but only had these symptoms for two. Did you have a clear mri then? Did you pass or fail neurology checks if you had them?