Worried about symptoms!

[JOR]

Hi, I am becoming increasingly worried about symptoms and interested to get others thoughts and experiences....

I’m a 43 year old fit and healthy female (normally!)

I have for the past 15 months experienced some shoulder/arm discomfort - general weakness, pins and needles, not consistently. I had a spine MRI which confirmed disk degeneration in the upper back/neck which could explain the symptoms. It has recently worsened which prompted another scan in March, this confirmed that it had worsened but still not requiring surgery at this stage. No other problems identified.

For the past 7 weeks I have been experiencing right arm problems (sporadically initially) which then progressed to the right leg. Feelings of pins and needles, burning sensation, weakness and just general discomfort. A couple of weeks later I started feeling unwell, weird sensations behind my eyes (eye test completed and no problems) along with a general feeling of unsteadiness, a little shaky and a dizzy/brain fog type feeling. I’ve generally not felt well for the past 6 weeks.

4 weeks ago I went to the doctors who conducted a neurological assessment, no concerns at all but referred me for a brain MRI as a precautionary measure given medical history (previous early stage Bowel cancer)

Scan came back with no major problems but did show some non specific changes which a neurologist has confirmed she is not concerned about. (Checked by 3 neuroradiologists!). Earlier this week I had a physical neurological examination by the neurologist who confirmed that it was 100% fine. No real explanation for my on-going symptoms other than the arm being caused by the trapped nerve problem. They are not concerned and have said they will follow up in 4 months!

I am experiencing a weakness feeling in my wrist, the top of my foot/ankle and a slight numb/weird feeling in 3 toes, all on my right side. Joints feel quite stiff and just generally weird. Not affecting my walking at all.

At the weekend I started to think my neck was feeling funny, my voice sounds a little hoarse and I am totally paranoid that I have MND.

In the last 24 hours since seeing the neurologist I have started to experience some mild muscle twitching and my jaw feels tight. Can symptoms progress like this?

Totally paranoid, concerned not been feeling great for so long and no real explanations. Blood tests all complete and fine.

None of this is helped by lockdown, I’m just driving myself insane!

[MNDConnect]

Hi Jor

I'm sorry that you have symptoms which are concerning you. The symptoms that you describe wouldn't be typical symptoms of motor neurone disease (MND). Sensations such as burning, pins and needles and numbness are caused by the sensory nerves which aren't affected by MND.

It sounds as though you've been thoroughly checked over and no issues have been identified which would suggest MND.

I hope that this is some reassurance to you. Please do give us a call if you'd like to discuss this further on 0808 802 6262.

Best Wishes

Rachel
MND Connect Adviser

[JOR]

Thanks, that’s what I thought initially but then it’s the below that is bothering me now:

I am experiencing a weakness feeling in my wrist, the top of my foot/ankle and a slight numb/weird feeling in 3 toes, all on my right side. Joints feel quite stiff and just generally weird. Not affecting my walking at all.

Plus the throat, neck issues.

Thanks

[Lynne K]

Hi Jor, I saw your message yesterday but thought that I wasn’t qualified to respond. It’s good that Rachel from MND Connect has replied to you. I hope that you get some answers about your symptoms very soon, and at least at your 4 month follow up appointment with your neurologist. It must be very worrying for you.

I’ve had a back MRI (and a later brain one). I’ve long-standing spine problems. The MRI showed severe degenerated discs in my mid to lower back and moderately degenerated discs elsewhere. You mentioned having had a similar result. So as well as weakness etc you must have pain. Not good but some things that help such as careful stretches and strengthening exercises. a tense machine on bad days and for me pain killers every night. I hope that you can find safe exercises to do.

If you end up having an operation to release a trapped nerve, then I hope that it goes well. Take care, Lynne