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Do Dizziness, Confusion And Light Headedness Indicate MS
Question: Hi, I've done considerable research and find that I have several symptoms related to MS. I have difficulty in speech - losing my thought or searching for words and names in the middle of a sentence. I have "shiver or goosebump" feelings especially in the upper back and neck and occasional electric shock sensations. I also have an area on one thigh that has been numb for a long time and occasionally have pin-prick sensations in that area. Dizziness, confusion and lightheadedness also. I was taking trazodone for sleep problems until about a year ago when all of these symptoms were quite severe. My doctor took me off of that medication and there was some improvement of symptoms but now all are back. I get concerned that my doctor thinks that I self-diagnose. I'm sorry to ramble but wanted an opinion. Thanks
Brief Answer:
MS unlikely
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
However I don't think MS is likely.
MS is a condition which manifests usually in young people. While it can manifest in any age it is very rarely encountered after the age of 50. Also the searching for words part, losing your thought etc would be cognitive signs which usually manifest later in the course of the disease as they are a manifestation of atrophy not so much of the white matter lesions which characterize MS. Yes it's true you have sensory signs such as tingling, electric shock and pin prick sensations, which often are present in MS, but those are among the least specific signs, meaning they can be encountered very often in the absence of MS, related to different causes such as anxiety, peripheral neuropathy. They also do not typically affect one circumscribed area in the thigh, more commonly half of the body, or at least a whole limb. Since it seems you have had symptoms for a few years at least chances are you would have had episodes of other symptoms and signs such as weakness of the limb/s, visual symptoms (double vision, visual loss), coordination issues etc.
So to summarize, while I can't exclude MS with certainty, the whole combination of your history, symptoms and age, sounds very unlikely to be related to MS. It is alright to mention it to your doctor, nothing wrong in him testing your reflexes, coordination etc, but if he says he finds nothing on the physical exam and doesn't think further exams like MRI to be necessary you shouldn't insist or think much about it.
I remain at your disposal for further question.
MS unlikely
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
However I don't think MS is likely.
MS is a condition which manifests usually in young people. While it can manifest in any age it is very rarely encountered after the age of 50. Also the searching for words part, losing your thought etc would be cognitive signs which usually manifest later in the course of the disease as they are a manifestation of atrophy not so much of the white matter lesions which characterize MS. Yes it's true you have sensory signs such as tingling, electric shock and pin prick sensations, which often are present in MS, but those are among the least specific signs, meaning they can be encountered very often in the absence of MS, related to different causes such as anxiety, peripheral neuropathy. They also do not typically affect one circumscribed area in the thigh, more commonly half of the body, or at least a whole limb. Since it seems you have had symptoms for a few years at least chances are you would have had episodes of other symptoms and signs such as weakness of the limb/s, visual symptoms (double vision, visual loss), coordination issues etc.
So to summarize, while I can't exclude MS with certainty, the whole combination of your history, symptoms and age, sounds very unlikely to be related to MS. It is alright to mention it to your doctor, nothing wrong in him testing your reflexes, coordination etc, but if he says he finds nothing on the physical exam and doesn't think further exams like MRI to be necessary you shouldn't insist or think much about it.
I remain at your disposal for further question.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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