How common is tingling hands and feet with MS? (and normal EMG)

Hi everyone, I am still looking for answers for my symptoms. I don't have many symptoms of MS but I do have tingling hands and feet, dizziness, numb cheeks, eye discomfort, get fatigued easily when stressed, and electric feelings. However, I also have aches and pains throughout my body which is more common of fibromyalgia. My mom has Fibro and my Aunt (mom's sister) has MS.

I initially started with hip pain-- that has lasted 7 months but it is not as bad now. THen just a month ago, started with the tingling hands and feet, also sore hands and feet at times and sore spots throughout my body. The reason I suspected MS and not fibro is because I am not sure how common numb cheeks and "electric" feelings is with MS. but that doesn't explain all the aches and pains, or is that common with MS as well? It's not shooting pain at all, just more like sore spots, but with aches in my hands is more like weakness.

I just had the EMG and nerve test and that was all normal.

I am still waiting on the blood test-- got tested for all the typical stuff- lupus, RA, hypothryoid, B12 deficiency, etc.

If I don't have any peripheal neuropathy, where does the tingling come from?

He did say if the blood test is normal I can get a brain MRI. So far, I just had a lumbar MRI and waiting on results from that.

I know none of you can diagnose me but just looking for some experiences and if you can relate.

oh, I also get muscle twitches (not spasms) all over my body. seems to happen mostly when i am hot or stressed.

I was also thinking you needed to be tested for Lyme disease.  Your symptoms are right on for Lyme.  MS doesn't typically have general aches and pains or sore spots.  Pain is MS is usually either nerve pain or spasticity pain (overy tight muscles from dysfunctional nerve messages).

EMG is not a test used for MS.  EMG tests for peripheral nerve disfuntion.  MS is a central nerve disorder/disease.  MSers frequently have nerve pain that is similar to peripheral nerve problems but that is not what causes ours.

The most common test for MS is an MRI.  This usually is ordered after someone has seen a neurologist.  That neurologist should have given you a neurological exam that tests for certain reflexes and responses.  In addition to an MRI, other tests might be .............evoked potentials (this is the test of the central nervous system), a lumbar puncture, blood work, and a thorough check of symptoms.

okay, now I see some people never see a rash, however, I don't have a fever or headache, or a lot of of the symptoms mentioned. It is something good to think about though, thanks!

bridget10,

I'm gonna jump in with what betterhealth said:
I don't have an MS diagnosis, but I do have experience in dealing with Lyme so this is just my 2 cents.

It is a common misconception that you must have the rash and/or the joint pain in order to have been infected with Lyme. Lyme symptoms can be just about anything and they can hit you in any combination and have a tendency to change, even jumping around to different parts and systems in your body. And as far as exposure, don't forget any trips you have taken to regions where Lyme is endemic, and even if you don't spend much time outdoors its all to easy for one of those ****** ticks to jump from an unassuming household pet on to you. I would make sure you get the blood test for Lyme added to your list of tests. If you are in a position to make requests (and baring any insurance issues), I would ask to skip the often unreliable ELISA titer and have the Western Blot done. Keep in mind that even if the test comes back negative and you feel that you really might have Lyme you can seek a diagnosis based on your symptoms, its just a little harder. But you'll cross that bridge if you come to it.

Best of luck to you! I know how such multi-focal health issues can really make you feel crazy, and with so many illnesses with similar symptoms (all, it seems, cruelly lacking black-and-white diagnostic criteria) it can be a long road to diagnosis.

just an update, blood test results were all normal but they didn't test for Lyme. however, I did find out I have a bulging disc. I still have a feeling though that there is more to it. unless I also have a bulging disc in my neck. The MRI was only of my lumbar spine.

Here are all of my symptoms:

tingling feet AND hands
electric feelings once in awhile
dizzy, especially when hot
aches throughout body (especially my hands, feet and left elbow, but also my shoulder and triceps get sore and sometimes my upper back)
a weird crawling sensation in my head. It is so noticeable that it distracts me from what I am doing
partially numb cheeks
partially numb mouth (that started last night, then went away and came back this morning)
get tired easily
bump into things easily (maybe because of light headedness)
feel like I have to squint my eyes a lot, seems like I am sensitive to light
chest pain once in awhile (not sure if that is related)
muscle twitches all over my body
face gets flushed easily also (although doesn't look red, just feels flushed, especially when i am warmer than usual)

I think that's it! I am glad the blood test was normal at least

would a bulging disc cause all of those symptoms? Maybe I at least need to ask about Lyme testing and also an MRI of my cervical spine. I am also not ruling outr MS just yet since my Aunt has it and she said I do have a lot of the typical symptoms, but I know that could be anything.

really? Do you have MS? I'll let you know.

where is your bulging disc at, if you don't mind me asking?

Bridget10,

Have you posted on the fibro board?  They may answer your questions about the electric feeling as well as the numbness.  I know that your sore spots sound much more like fibro than MS.  I also know that numbness can be an issue with fibro, but I don't have any personal experience with fibro and they may be able to better help you. 

thanks for your reply, TC444.... I hope you can figure out w hat is going on with you as well! It's so frustrating! Although part of me wonders if I should just forget about anymore testing and assume it is all just from the bulging disc...... but then the cautious side of me wants to rule out all other conditions first. I guess I feel that way because my mom has degenerative disc disease AND Fibro...... and my Aunt has a bulging disc AND MS..... so it makes me wonder if finding out about the bulging disc was just all coincidence. I do wonder if I should just go ahead and see a Reumotologist, but I do want to rule out MS first.... it's hard since MS and Fibro share a lot of the same symptoms... however, it is the tingling and light headedness and muscle twitches that bother me the most..... I do have soreness but it is really pretty mild. I looked on your profile and it said unavailable for email.

Hi Bridget10,

Do you have tingling on both sides in your hands and feet?  I also have the tingling in both sides hands and feet.  It started slowly back in 2001.  I wasted alot of time going to a Neuro that told me it was from the bulging discs in my neck.  At a routine visit to my GP many years later I mentioned the tingling because it had gotten worse.  She told me that the tingling on both sides couldn't be caused from the bulging disc it would only affect one side not both, and that I should have it checked out.  It turns out I had Lyme, the one thing the Neuro wouldn't test me for.  She asked me if I ever had a Bull's Eye rash and I said I never saw one and she said then you can't have Lyme.  When I went back to be re-evaluated per my GP's suggestion she re-ran all the test she did the first time and I asked her to run a Lyme test (she didn't want to but she did).  It came back CDC positive!  I had Lyme all along.  I pretty much have all the symptoms you listed.  I would suggest you read all you can about Lyme, because most doctors don't know anything about it eventhough they act like they know everything.  Good luck and I hope you don't have Lyme.

KO

Is this an MS forum or a Lyme forum, lol?