Question about MRI scan, maybe MS related

[faitch]

Hello, just after a bit of knowledge please.

Quick overview on situ; a few weeks ago I developed pins and needles in my feet, which spread upwards, resulting in extreme numbness in feet and lower legs, saddle anesthesia, reduced sensation (couldn’t differentiate between hot and cold water on feet) and a feeling in my feet like my toes were curling in under. Feet/legs felt like electric current were running through them constantly.

GP Immediately referred me to hospital, saw Duty Orthopaedic who done pin prick tests etc, and referred for a scan, as believed it was herniated disc.
MRI scan of lower back completed, nothing found, disc problems/Cauda Equine Syndrome ruled out, however the orthopaedic GP was very concerned, and banded MS about in the conversation, more than once. I wax then referred for an urgent MRI scan to brain/neck and also a defused weighted brain scan completed. Awaiting results.

The total numbness has now reduced in the feet and legs, however I still have a constant tingling feeling on the soles of both feet, ‘electric shock’ sensation shooting up my legs, and pins and needles after I walk a distance/run up the stairs/drive. If I tap my legs, the feeling intensifies.

Has anyone else ever experienced this, and could this be a symptom of MS? The fact that the Orthopaedic GP was so concerned and flagged my case as urgent has got me a bit nervous!

Just someone to discuss this with would be good, if possible. Thanks.

I have had something very similar and was diagnosed with transverse mylelitis. It is a lesion across my spine which has caused nerve damage ( tingly feet, legs sometimes up to just below my bra line) I had a full spine MRI as well as the neck & brain. They did consider MS but due to lack of other symptoms & the spinal lesion said it is TM

Apparently it is a fairly rare condition so it not easily spotted by gps, so it might be worth bringing it up when you see your doctor - your symptoms sound very similar to mine

Thanks Nancy. Did the MRI pick that up?

Yes, it’s on the MRI but apparently hard to see unless you are looking for it. My lesion is just above the bra line if they only scanned your lower back they might not have see far enough up the spine

They done lower on the first scan, the second scan picked up what wasn’t scanned plus my brain, so hopefully they’ll have a jigsaw style scan of full spine when I see neuro next.

I was briefly diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis before a brain MRI showed further damage and led to an MS diagnosis.
But yes, I had bilateral numbness in my feet etc that resolved itself after a month or so but I do get electric shocks in my heels particularly.

When have you got your next appt?
I have had TM for 2 years, initially my feet & legs were very numb but uncomfortable / tingly over time it has improved but my feet don’t feel normal ( although you get used to it and don’t notice it after a while) Sime people lose bowel & bladder function - I was lucky as mine seems to be a mild form, at first I had a small amount of trouble with bladder but that cleared up fairly quickly.

Thank you for replies. My appointment is early next week. I’ve been very lucky and been seen very quickly for scans and appointments - can’t fault NHS at all.

I had bowel and bladder probs when it first started, weakness etc, about 6 weeks ago, but that’s all ok now. I’ve got incredible fatigue at the moment, but I think that’s a result of additional crap going on in personal life.

I’m not allowing myself to think too much about it all at the moment, but your replies have helped, thanks. I’ll definitely make a note of TM and have a chat about it with neuro.

At the moment, the sensation is mainly on the ball of my feet. It feels like they’re twice the size they should be and constantly fizzing (only way I can describe it!)

I had similar fatigue, I had some days where I couldn’t even walk from car to playground to pick up DD, that lasted a couple of months. I also felt quite spaced out and just a general feeling of unwell - again this lasted for a couple of months. At the time I was terrified, you google and everything you find is either bad or really bad! 2 years on I’m pretty much ok, there are some residual symptoms & sometimes I feel a bit more than normal tiredness but it doesn’t affect my life - fingers crossed for you Faitch xx

Good luck. I have to say TM was a tiny bit scarier than (Relapsing remitting) MS because MS seems better set up and supported.

Next week can’t come soon enough! Will keep you both posted

Do you happen to have what feels like a tight band of numbness arou d your waist also? My Dm had the pins and needles, back pain which all came on suddenly...had every test going and 3 months later she is still pins and needles and just been diagnosed as having had a moderate
spinal stroke :/

Have a look at the symptoms. It's rare but may be worth looking into as tests DM had initially didn't catch it.

Sassy is that what's described as the MS Hug?

Yeah I have the band /hug thing too, I think it goes along with spinal nerve damage in general. I’d never heard of a spinal stroke, looks like it’s definitely something else that’s worth asking about

I hadn't heard of it either. My cat had something that was described as a spinal stroke but that was a life ending emergency :( so not the same thing!
I've not had the MS hug though.

Grocklebocs I'm not sure as don't knowmuch about MS. I know that they ruled it out in my DM case tho. Strangely when I googled her symptoms spinal stroke never came up as a possibility yet when you look at the symptoms they were exactly what I was putting in the search engine. They can be mild to severe, prognosis in DMs case is that with intense physio over the next year and half the tingling and numbness should Wear off and she should be able to walk unaided again and drive etc so fingera crossed.

Hi I was diagnosed with m.s. 14 years ago
My first m.r.i. showed up numerous lesions.
Please don't worry too much x

Please don't worry too much about ms diagnosis, I have had it 31 years am still walking raising my family and running my own business.

We always hear about the worst cases but the majority of us live with it and learn to manage symptoms.

At the risk of repeating what a pp said, an MS diagnosis isn't necessarily the end of your world as you know it. I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting 18 years ago, started with balance problems and optic neuritis followed by some of the symptoms you describe-mainly numbness. There are supposedly 4 types of MS but I firmly believe there are as many types as people who have it iyswim and it is completely unique to each individual. Mine is now described as "behaving benignly" and my main on going symptoms are itching and fatigue, a lot of the time I almost forget all about it. Do keep us posted on how you get on, I am more than happy to share my experiences if that would help x

Bumping this so that op sees it

Thanks for all the posts, guys, all a great help.

I’m keeping an open mind until I see the consultant next week, as it could be anything - all this could just be a trapped nerve that needs manipulating! But it’s also good to hear about others experiences. As we know, the medical world has endless possibilities when we google out symptoms!

I will keep you posted. Whatever it may be, life will go on!

Stay positive, best wishes.

Results received; transverse myelitis. If anyone can point me in the direction of info, I’d be grateful.
The MS team will be in touch with me soon, but in the meantime, I need to think about the treatment, which will be regular self administered interferon injections... any experience and knowledge of this would be appreciated 😊

Started with pin and needles. Turned out to have lesions related to ms. My rr ms is benign type too. Keto diet helps me. Am symptom free and no medication.