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Constant Low Back Pain, Pins And Needles Feeling In Feet. Foot Feels Asleep When Crossed. MRI Normal. Chances Of MS?

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Posted on Mon, 27 May 2013
Question: IM A 37 YRS OLD FEMALE EVERYTIME I CROSS MY LEGS MY FOOT FELLS ASLEEP ALSO HAVE CONSTANT LOW BACK PAIN ALSO HAVE PAIN IN LEGS HAVE PIN AND NEEDLES FEELING ON BOTH FEET. HOW LIKELY IS IT MS? BEEN LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 7 YRS HAD 3 BRAIN MRI NEGATIVE AND CERVICAL ANDTHORACIC MRI NORMAL
doctor
Answered by Dr. Achuo Ascensius (2 hours later)
Hello,
thank for the query.

MS is a chronic disease in which myelin sheath that protects nerves in central nervous system ( brain and spinal cord) are progressively destroyed. The symptoms are diverse and include
- numbness or weakness in one or more limbs
-visual impairment
-tingling or pain in parts of your body
-tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait
-slurred speech
-fatigue and dizziness
-heat intolerance etc
Age range of 20 to 40 years, being female and a family history of MS are all predisposing factors for developing MS.

However, there are other conditions that could explain the symptoms you feel such as diabetes, lupus etc.
A detail physical examination and laboratory test will be required for you in order to have an appropriate diagnosis. Tests such as fasting blood sugar, Rheumatoid factor, and other auto-immune markers, ESR should be done.

Low vitamin B 12 is also known to cause pins and tingling. Vitamin B12 is
obtained from animal products such as meat, liver and dairy products. Vegeterians suffer a great deal of vit b12 deficiency.

Hope this answers your query. If you have more query, i will be glad to help.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Achuo Ascensius (13 minutes later)
Yes i know but what are my chances of it being ms had emg done normal
Blood work all normal also
doctor
Answered by Dr. Achuo Ascensius (4 hours later)
Hello,
thanks once more for the query.

The test used in the diagnosis of MS are;
-MRI: sensitive for identifying active MS plaques and shows abnormalities of the brain in 90-95% of MS patients and spinal cord lesions in up to 75% of patients.
-Analysis of Cerobrospinal fluid: which will have abnormalities in over 90% of people with MS
-Electrical activity of certain portions of the central nervous system.
Your MRI and electrical tests have all been negative and the only test so far you have not done is an analysis of CSF fluid which will show abnormality ( presence of oligoclonal antibodies).
However, the fact that two of such tests are negative and that your symptoms are not evolving makes the diagnosis of MS less likely. With a negative MRI, negative electrical activity and with a negative CSF analysis your chances of having MS are below 25%.

Hope this answers your query. If you do not have further query, you could close the discussion and rate the answers.
Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Achuo Ascensius (7 hours later)
What about every am i wake up with bodyaches Primary dr thinks fibromyalgia or stress and anxiety. Just a little nervous
Fibromylagia can it cause pins and needles feelings
doctor
Answered by Dr. Achuo Ascensius (1 hour later)
Hello,
thanks once more for the query.

Fibromyalgia presents with generalized widespread pain and increase sensation of pain when pressure is applied to particular points of the body including the back of the head, top of shoulders, front side of neck, inner knees, sides of hip etc. More so the pain has to be on both sides of the waist (above and below). Female sex, family history of fibromyalgia, emotional trauma are all risk factors to fibromyalgia.

Pins and needles are not a common finding of fibromyalgia but in some rare cases it is possible. Diagnosis of the fibromyalgia is made based upon clinical finding and when all other possible diagnosis have been ruled out and the main points are; Characteristic wide spread pain for over three months with tenderness in a good number of the tender spots and with no underlying possible diagnosis.

According to the American Psychological association, stress could manifest with
Muscle tension or pain and fatigue amidst other symptoms. But it is less likely that your symptoms could be attributed solely to stress if at all you do have stress.

In addition of being screen for fibromyalgia and stress, you should do some blood work ups such as; blood electrolyte to rule out abnormalities in electrolytes such as calcium and magnesium, blood sugar to rule out diabetes, ESR to see if there is an ongoing inflammation etc

One other important diagnosis to consider is the irritation of the sciatic nerve which could cause the pins and needles of your lower extremity and could result from a process causing you the lower back pain . To this, an MRI or CT Scan of the lumber vertebrae could be helpful or at least an x-ray.
You should discuss the above in detail with your doctor for an appropriate approach to be taken.

Hope this answers your query. If you have further query i will be ready to help. If you do not have further query, you could close the discussion and rate the answers.

Best regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Achuo Ascensius

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1040 Questions

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Constant Low Back Pain, Pins And Needles Feeling In Feet. Foot Feels Asleep When Crossed. MRI Normal. Chances Of MS?

Hello,
thank for the query.

MS is a chronic disease in which myelin sheath that protects nerves in central nervous system ( brain and spinal cord) are progressively destroyed. The symptoms are diverse and include
- numbness or weakness in one or more limbs
-visual impairment
-tingling or pain in parts of your body
-tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait
-slurred speech
-fatigue and dizziness
-heat intolerance etc
Age range of 20 to 40 years, being female and a family history of MS are all predisposing factors for developing MS.

However, there are other conditions that could explain the symptoms you feel such as diabetes, lupus etc.
A detail physical examination and laboratory test will be required for you in order to have an appropriate diagnosis. Tests such as fasting blood sugar, Rheumatoid factor, and other auto-immune markers, ESR should be done.

Low vitamin B 12 is also known to cause pins and tingling. Vitamin B12 is
obtained from animal products such as meat, liver and dairy products. Vegeterians suffer a great deal of vit b12 deficiency.

Hope this answers your query. If you have more query, i will be glad to help.
Best regards.