Does this sound like MS?

[Mascarponeandwine]

I had some mild symptoms around 12 years ago that lasted, on and off, for a year. They went away completely, 11 years nothing, then recently (a few months ago) came back stronger than before. They include:

Hands going numb at night, usually left but sometimes right, wake me up, goes away when shake hands for a couple of minutes

Random Patches of pins and needles on arm/leg/head/mouth lasting no longer than 3 seconds, and moving around constantly.

Twitches in random places come and go, can usually get rid by pressing the muscle hard for a few minutes. Had one numb toe that went away when I walked on it.

Occasional intention tremor in left hand - possibly related to cubital tunnel injury back in February.

Balance / dizziness - worse than 12 years ago, worse in morning, not so bad that people would notice but on/off travel sickness feeling and positional issues.

Clumsiness (hands) on occasion, and once had an internal vibration inside chest when dropping off to sleep.

Occasional day of brain fog.

I went to a consultant neuro 12 years ago, he did the physical tests and said nothing to worry about, it's all too short lived and transient. I don't have fatigue, no weakness and no vision issues. I've not missed work as it's not bad enough and I plough on through so far. Ditto travelling, which doesn't seem to make it any worse. I have a gp appointment coming up and wondered whether to ask for an MRI. At the very least I'd like to take something for the lightheaded nausea feeling. I'm not sure it's MS as I kind of agree that symptons all come and go like the wind.

Can anyone relate? I am bad at googling but haven't managed to find anyone worldwide who had brief shifting pins and needles who was eventually diagnosed with a neuro disorder. Everyone has lasting symptoms indicating damage to CNS.

If relevant, I'm now mid forties with well medicated hypothyroidism. I also think I'm a bit deaf in one ear, had an inner ear MRI a few years ago for tinnitus which was clear.

Hi there - I have had neuro symptoms (permanent numbness amongst other things) that could possibly be MS since I was 15... which was 30 years ago and even after MRI's nothing can actually be found. Apparently there is something like a 40-60% of people with symptoms like this who never get diagnosed with anything concrete! I have a 'holding' diagnosis of Wartenberg's Sensory Neuritis.... which doesn't help!

You would think while you were in the machine they would just do it all. I hope you get some answers.

You would think while you were in the machine they would just do it all. I hope you get some answers.

I suppose the neuro didn't find any test signs that suggested spine lesions, but maybe the eye thing suggests brain lesions. I was hoping for loads of tests on the same day just to get it all done. I feel I'm making progress though

OP, so much of what you have written rings a bell. I had very similar symptoms to the ones you describe and saw several consultants. MRIs, brain scans and endless blood tests revealed nothing, even though every time I Googled, MS and thyroid issues were the first that popped up. I became exhausted by being in limbo for what became years (from 39 to 42).

Eventually I saw an endocrinologist who made a breakthrough : my estrogen, when tested over time, was all over the place. I went on to learn that tingling, numbness, fatigue, brain fog and vision issues are all less well known symptoms of peri menopause (the odd symptoms occur with sudden fluctuations in estrogen levels as opposed to low estrogen). Since then I've come across many other women who have been through the same thing simply because their doctors weren't well informed on female hormone/Menopause issues.

I have kind of discounted menopause and hormone issues, as my first episode of whatever this is, was in my early 30's, and I had 2 babies after this. But I'm keeping all possibilities in mind for now, thanks!

The neuro did say that if it's ms it's very mild as I've gone 10 years without significant issues

For me, it wasn't so much menopause as erratic estrogen fluctuations. It caused such bad numbness and tingling that I even had to give up the sport I did. Was convinced it was MS but I kept getting the same responses from neuro and GP as you did. Really hope you get some answers too - being in limbo is v lonely x

Had my first consultation with an ENT consultant yesterday. The top one in our county so v lucky. He felt the loss of hearing in my ear was more neurological than an ENT reason, but has booked me in for hearing and balance tests. Both he and the neuro are waiting for the brain MRI results (scan is booked in this week).

He also said he's seen many patients like me who had clear scans and never got an answer, the symptoms just burnt themselves out in time. So don't bank on a diagnosis after the MRI.

Not sure which outcome is better (or indeed, worse)!

So, onward to MRI now

Oh and the eye issue that the neuro spotted - I went to see my ophthalmologist who said I'd had this particular sign since I was a teen and in fact it's improved over the years, not got worse! It's all in my optic notes

Hi just thought I’d pop back to update. Well I ended up having a full brain and whole spine MRI, balance and hearing tests, menopause hormone tests, TSH. All came back normal. There were no lesions on either brain or spine to suggest MS. The abnormal eye movements were put down to a longstanding eye issue(nystagmus) (the consultant read my optician notes dating back to the 80’s). I didn’t get a lumbar puncture but don’t think I would meet the criteria for a neuro diagnosis anyway.

The symptoms tailed off in the autumn and it was amazing to feel normal (for about 6 weeks!). Unfortunately the disequilibrium (dizziness) has returned in the last couple of weeks, though it’s not quite as bad as it was. Hardly any neuro symptoms though, only a couple of minor tingles.

So I think that’s it, it’s one of those things that they don’t know what it is or what causes it. They did tell me it won’t progress though. Guess I just have to put up with it and hope it burns out completely at some point.

Pins and needles like you describe can also be a symptom of anxiety but you really need to talk to your GP.