Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Sensitivity To Sound,light And Smell?

Hi, I was diagnosed with Graves disease 5 years ago. When I started taking carbimazole to treat it, I experienced tiredness and sore muscles/joints. The specialist said these were normal side-effects, but after stopping the treatment after 1.5 years, these symptoms did not go away. And I developed numbness and tingling in my left foot, which gradually spread up my left leg, and down my left arm, into my left hand. I ve seen various specialists, including a neurologist to rule out MS, and had 2 MRI scans over the past 4 years, and had a lumbar puncture done approx 3 years ago. All tests came back negative. I ve now been discharged from all specialists, and since my carbimazole treatment, I ve been in remission for Graves . The neurologist did say that it s possible (though unlikely) that I might develop MS at some stage, and to go back if my symptoms develop. I ve since been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and have tried all treatments but to no avail. I m currently medication-free. The last few weeks, I ve been much more sensitive to sound, light and smell. Please advise. Thanks.
posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014
Twitter Wed, 21 Dec 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 21 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully read your question and would explain that your symptoms don't seem to be related to MS. Your repeated MRI can confirm this.

But, Graves is an autoimmune disease and it is commonly associated to some autoimmune neurological disorders like MS or Myastenia gravis.

Neuropathy from thyroid dysfunction can not be excluded either.

So, I would recommend performing some other tests:

- a nerve conduction study, including repetitive nerve stimulation to investigate for neuropathy or myastenic syndrome
- thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction which can contribute to this symptomatology.
- vitamin D plasma levels for possible deficiency
- vitamin B 12 plasma levels for possible deficiency.

If all the above tests result normal, you should consider chronic fatigue syndrome as the main cause of these symptoms. Duloxetine would be helpful to treat this disorder (considering also fibromyalgia).

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Best wishes, Dr. Aida
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Sensitivity To Sound,light And Smell?

Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I carefully read your question and would explain that your symptoms don t seem to be related to MS. Your repeated MRI can confirm this. But, Graves is an autoimmune disease and it is commonly associated to some autoimmune neurological disorders like MS or Myastenia gravis. Neuropathy from thyroid dysfunction can not be excluded either. So, I would recommend performing some other tests: - a nerve conduction study, including repetitive nerve stimulation to investigate for neuropathy or myastenic syndrome - thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction which can contribute to this symptomatology. - vitamin D plasma levels for possible deficiency - vitamin B 12 plasma levels for possible deficiency. If all the above tests result normal, you should consider chronic fatigue syndrome as the main cause of these symptoms. Duloxetine would be helpful to treat this disorder (considering also fibromyalgia). Hope you will find this answer helpful! Best wishes, Dr. Aida