This the first time I have posted on here and I hope you may be able to advise :-). Bit of background for me, I had Optic Neuritis about 2 years ago in my left eye, after an MRI scan was clear, after a few months eventually my vision came back by 90% and I carried on as normal.
A week ago I had a chronic headache just once that day that lastest for an hour, same happened the next 3 days but each time for a litte longer and more painful, it affected my neck, jaw, ear an shoulder on my right side during the headache but once it subsided the pain completely dissapeared. On day 4 woke up with pins and needles in my feet, as the day went on my hands and finger tips started tingling, my right middle finger feels like I have rubber bands tied up it, the next evening my chest became numb, the following day my back and currently my stomach, back of my head and right ear. It hasnt subsided in this time just got more intense.
I went to GP’s who tested all reflex’ which were fine, and my bloods have come back clear, I had an appt for a review with my neurologist in place for the end of Feb, so this will hopefully be made sooner. I have been given no anwers as to what is wrong with me, Transverse Myletis or a viral infection of some sort.
Now in the meantime Im expected to sit and wait for it to wear off and that steriods arnt an option as I have no muscle weakness. Is there anything I could do to eliviate these symptoms, is rest going to make a difference, Im a busy single parent with two children and this could last from 2 to 12 weeks. In some ways just typing this all out helps so any support advise or just a wave or hug would be lovely xx
A condition called ADEM comes to mind especially when you mention headaches and large areas of numbness. It is usually triggered by a virus and patients usually recover very well. The fact that you had an attack o ON in the past may confuse the DX a bit though as usually ADEM is a one off sort of attack.
I feel for you as not knowing exactly what these symptoms are is awful.
I had bad headaches with my ON which eventually went but I was in pain for several weeks. I also have severe pins and needles in my limbs (always worse at night when lying down and then can carry on during the morning).
Although you probably don’t feel like it, exercise has been the best thing for me. If you can try to do 2 forms of aerobic activity a week, (swimming is great as is an aerobics class - I use a DVD at home) it seems to make the muscles ‘reawaken’ and my numbness and any pain seems to diminish, (sometimes for the rest of the day). Although people do say it is important to rest, I think the general opinion is now it is best not to be inactive for too long.
Thank you, Ive manged to get in to see a Neurologist at 12.30 today so hopefully will get some answers, been 10 days now and the numbness and tingly hands have got worse if anything
xx