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Numb leg and 2 toes that curl under at times

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Posted 10/11/2006 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have another 6 weeks before my Neuro visit.  My left leg became completely numb to the touch, 2 of my toes curled under and I could not stand on the leg for about one hour.  The numbness slowly subsided, but not totally (I have a numbness like wearing a thick glove all of the time).  This really frightened me!  I called my Neuro,but still cannot get an earlier appt.  He wanted to refer me to another Neurologist with a smaller pt list.  Since he is head over MS clinic, I asked to stay with him even though it meant having to wait.  The first Neurologist I saw stated that he did not know what was wrong, just to "buy a cane and learn to live with it."  I don't want to risk getting another MD that is not familiar with MS.  I have not been able to walk the track without severe pain in my left leg and hip for almost 8 months.  Has anyone experienced this and does anyone have problems with cognitive thinking?  Thanks for input.
Posted 10/11/2006 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Just curious, but have you had any part of the MS work up yet? By this I mean a MRI of the brain and cervical spinal cord (with and without contrast), spinal tap, and visual evoked potentials. If you haven't yet, you could ask your PCP or a different neurologist to order these things for you so that you can bring these results to your appointment at the MS clinic. You should also have blood work done to rule out the many MS mimicers suchs as collagen vascular disease, nutritional deficiencies, infectious diseases, etc. This way, you won't have to wait longer to have these tests scheduled and performed after you see the MS doc.

Any neurologist should at least be familar with MS. It sounds like that one you saw is especially crummy. Geez I can't believe the morons practicing medicine these days. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 10/11/2006 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pegleg,

Welcome! Sorry you have to wait so long for your appointment, but it sounds like you really feel comfortable with your current doctor and that is great :-) Pain and numbness in the hip and legs is something my husband experiences, started in the feet and moved up. Yours sounds a bit different though with the toe curling. Are you having any problems with mobility or is it just all pain and numbness? A cane might actually help keep the foot from putting full pressure on the floor. Mike used a cane for a while in the beginning, not only for mobility issues but it helped tremendously with the pain (it hurt him to just put his feet on the floor). He does also have a lot of cognitive problems as well. Hope you feel better soon!
Posted 10/11/2006 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the 2 replies.  :-) I had a full workup including blood work, MRIs, spinal tap, etc.  I don't think there is anything else they can do except start my meds.  I have several lesions on the brain, but none on the spinal cord.  I was informed that I am one of the 5%-10% without lesions on the cord.  My neurologist (heads MS clinic in Mobile, AL) was hoping IV steroids followed by oral steroids would put me back into remission and nothing further would have to be done.  It did take care of the imbalance, but now the imbalance has returned to some degree.  I can still walk across a parking lot, but have trouble maneuvering around furniture.  So far I have lost my balance and fallen 3 times in the last 2 weeks, not to mention my poor bookcase which became a casualty.  I also have a fantastic primary physician, but since she is not a neurologist, cannot start my txs.  I left a message for her asking if I can start some type of physical therapy which, to my understanding, helps in balance.  It just seems that my balance and left leg and are becoming worse very fast.  I left a message for my neurologist this morning since I again bounced off the dryer.  Hopefully he can see me earlier, I am willing to even see one of his Residents (since they are educated by him, I think they will be able to give me some insight).  It's nice to talk to someone who actually experiences what I'm going through.  I'm glad I found this sight.  What type of meds are ya'll on (yes, I am definitely from the South)?  Right now I feel like a Swan trapped in an Albatrose body eyes and I'm eager to try to regain some of my daily life.  I am a Respiratory Therapist, but unable to return to work due to disruptive cognitive thinking and imbalance.  Fatigue is sometimes a major problem, also.  Thanks again for your input. :-)

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