numbness, fatigue, muscle changes

[videoPro]

Hi I'm new to the forum (sorry for the long post below),

I've been experiencing mild sporadic cramping in my hands and feet, fatigue, and I think my left forearm is smaller than the right and the right thigh muscle is smaller than the left (I'm right side dominant). I haven't noticed a loss of strength when doing normal daily work or if I lift wieghts. I do fatigue faster than before and feel like I need to breath heavily. Although I noticed about 2 years ago that holding a cell phone for more than a few minutes was very tiring for my arms. Then it started to progress about 6 months ago, to where touching my face and combing my hair felt akward. At the same time I began to loose sensation in my finger tips (at the same time I mean when I lifted my arms to touch my head). The numbness in the thumbs, index, and middle fingers hasn't gone away. I've always had poor circulation and last night something very strange happened. Pins and needles have been more common but last night only the little fingers and the ring fingers of both hands fell asleep. I'm sure it sounds ridiculous but when I woke up they were completely usless for 5 minutes (hands weren't cramped).

I also had spasticity in my hamstrings for a 1 - 2 weeks after the cramping started. I started to do some stretching and it went away. It was bad enough that driving home from work was very uncomfortable. I also had "stiff knees" during that time period. When it peaked I had to actually push the leg out to walk, because it wouldn't swing freely.

I've had an MRI and blood work for lyme, autoimmune problems, MS, stroke, etc and everything is ok. I have an EMG scheduled for this week.

About myself:
- I'm 26yrs old, Male
- Never had anything more than the cold / flu
- No family history of neurological disorders
- I work at a computer all day long

[rose]

It's good that you are beginning by giving us some history.
'
I suggest you copy this to both the peripheral neuropathy and vitamin deficiency forums. There is a lot of information for you in both of those places, more than the titles of the forums suggest.

rose

[Tootsie]

In addition to what Rose has recommended, and also following up with any suggestions from your medical advisors, I'd suggest that you look into ergonomic issues involving your constant use of a computer.

It is grossly overlooked, that sitting in unusual and strained positions, can aggravate and initiate all kinds of neurological problems. The human body was not designed to sit and type all day!

When I was working, my left arm and hand would go numb, because the hard drive was under the monitor, and the desk,chair and keyboard did not adjust sufficiently, to allow for my deformities to be supported adequately. In another instance, at a different location, the supervisor insisted I move to another desk. They must have spent about $3000 trying to make that work station suitable for my body. Finally, they moved me back to where I had been for several years. I had never called in sick, or had muscular problems until they insisted I change work stations. What a waste of money, but no one would listen to me. Finally, I was sent to an occupational medicine specialist who wrote in his report that if it was necessary to move me to another location, they move my entire work station with me! THAT made a difference and they stopped trying to move me around. That visit must have cost my employer at least $500. And, they wonder why workmans' comp is so expensive. OK, I've finished my rant. Cheerio.

[Buttons2]

Hi videoPro & welcome to BT. I'm gonna suggest you also go to the Lyme forum & do some research, it's not very common to be tested for Lyme & most likely you were NOT tested properly,there are no definative tests for Lyme @ this time.

Also, you don't mention any supplements or steroid use. Are you ingesting anything like that?

You might get copies of all the blood tests & doctor's notes, if you continue to have strange symptoms, having your records on hand might be helpful for future posts.

After you read the B12 info.....go out & buy some vits! Can't hurt you & just might be the answer to your issues.

Poor circulation & heavy breathing.....this might be a heart issue. Even at your age this might be something to pursue with your doc.

Can we assume since you are working out that you also eat a healthy diet? You mention fatique, is this after working out or do you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning? Any relation of your symptoms to heat or cold? Any family history of diabetes?

Also, might keep a journal of your symptoms. Hopefully you'll pass all the testing & with some adjustments to how you use your arms/hands will clear some of your issues up. Get a headset cell phone? Always remember to take a break from computer & stretch .....

Good luck,Buttons

[videoPro]

Thanks for the advice and concern.

I've been tested 2 times now for Lyme (blot and something else - both negative). I've heard that they believe it's actually a different / additional bacterial strain that's contracted with the lyme and it won't show up in tests. So I took Doxycycline for 20-30 days in August for flu like symptoms and aching joints. The problems went away within a few days of taking the medicine.

The thing that kick started my problems were headaches for two days that wouldn't go away. Then severly blurred vision in the right eye (two times - about a week apart - worse the 2nd time). About 2 weeks after that, physical problems began with very mild cramping in my right hand.

Doctors (family practice, neuro, and another excellent doctor I know as a friend) couldn't find a correlation with the vision loss and the physical problems.

If my symptoms don't progress to atrophy or noticable weakness I'll pursue an antibiotic treatment.

I'd also like to mention what my body was like (i.e. position and muscle tension throughout the day). I typically leaned forward, putting a lot of weight on my shoulders and elbows. I did that while looking at code and playing the video games for hours. Also, while I played the video games the muscles in my shoulders, back, legs, arms and hands were tense / flexed. I did this for about 1 year day in and day out.

I've never taken steroids and I don't drink or use drugs. Sometimes the fatigue is present in the morning, somedays it's almost unoticable. I feel balanced in terms of strength throughout my body and the twitching here and there isn't that bad. I get it in my neck, legs and arms throughout the day but it wasn't the initial problem.

[videoPro]

It's good that you are beginning by giving us some history.
'
I suggest you copy this to both the peripheral neuropathy and vitamin deficiency forums. There is a lot of information for you in both of those places, more than the titles of the forums suggest.

rose
Thanks for the advice, I will.

[rose]

It is common for Lyme to go undiagnosed for long periods. Probably would be a good idea to check with the Lyme forum.

The strange collection of undiagnosable problems, which often do not seem connected and are frequently rationalized away is a very common scenario when B12 deficiency is subtly gaining ground.

Extra B1 would be a very good idea.

Again, the vitamin and mineral forum is loaded with good info.

rose

[Tootsie]

VideoPro, I don't think this is an either/or/ proposition. I think all of the suggestions are valid and you should pursue all of them.

For me, the red flag is your description of your posture over a period of one year. Your body weight is meant to be carried by your spinal column. You had all your weight on arms and shoulders. Can you imagine what that did to all the nerves that supply those muscles? It took a year to develop the symptoms. It may take that long to resolve them.

Check out www.alexandertechnique.com. It is basically posture lessons and teachers help you learn how to correct and monitor your body position to avoid any ergonomic issues. For me, it was life changing. I now know how to fix myself and I practice daily. Cheerio.

[Buttons2]

Ok, videoPro, first I'm gonna suggest you stop playing video games for just one week & see if you improve, that is unless this is how you earn a living!

About the Lyme, you need to do some reading, there are several different co-infections that usually attack the body along with the Lyme. These have to be addressed or nothing improves! Just the fact that you were on Doxy for a month & got better says alot.....but that probably wasn't long enough & perhaps not even a high enough dosage.

PLEASE go to the Lyme forum here & read all the info you can about Lyme & co-infections! The fact that you were tested twice tells me that one of your docs suspects Lyme. I have no idea where you live but there are docs that specialize in Lyme treatment. It's all VERY complicated.

My Lyme test was negative, I have/had nearly every symptom & was naive enough to think I'd solved my health mystery & could get cured....no such luck, not one doctor,eye doc, even dentist would believe me. I've been suffering for about 8 yrs now & finally gave up on doctor's. Please don't let this happen to you! You are young,otherwise healthy,lead a healthy lifestyle, don't ignore how totally devastating Lyme can be if left untreated! Our forum here isn't very active, but there are other websites, I suggest you check out Lymenet,very active & lots of people there with knowledge.

I'm not saying this is your problem, what I am saying is that it's crucial you do some research. Lyme can be fatal-is that scary enough for you? It can cause blindness,heart problems,paralysis,the list is pretty long!

Good luck,Buttons

[Dadkins]

have you had an ALS workup?

[uvamomb]

My whole scenario began with severe migraines (lasting 4- 8 days.) You may want to read up and research fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain, dystonia, cervical malformation.
I definitely would see a cardiologist ASAP, but do try not to worry that this is the worst possible diagnosis in the world.
It doesn't sound like ALS to me at all, but have it checked out (with a neurologist.)
Do you smoke? I do - need to quit.
Anyway, take good care of yourself and check on all these things, including the lyme disease - it is extremely hard to diagnosis and to treat, especially after a long time has elapsed.
Please keep us informed of what you find out. You're so young, and I just hope you can get back to complete health ASAP.
Hugs from the Mom in me,
Kathy:)

[ainee]

videoPro - I wonder if you've every had an accident or injury to your head or spine - even many years ago, which may be the cause of your symptoms now.
Years ago, I had head and spinal injuries. Over the years, I remember having many slight cramps, twitches, itchy skin, numbness, cold hands, pins and needles etc., but in 2001, I began to suffer horrific nervous symptoms - cramps, twitches, tics, involuntary movements, facial grimaces, etc.
I had many tests - no cause was found. My research found that my symptoms were similar to many neurological illnesses and conditions - many with unknown cause.
After many years, I stopped trying to find a cause - I concentrated on experimentation with a simple treatment which suppressed the symptoms and eventually my symptoms started to reverse. It wasn't an over night "fix it all," but I have reasonably good health now.
I've posted info on many BT threads, including in Success Stories in a thread - My Story May Give Hope.
Hope it helps.
ainee.