Unexplained numbness, loss of taste and smell, possible MS?

[law.para.ti]

I have been having left-sided body numbness from my neck (sternocleidomastoid muscle) down, to my left forearm, hand, and pinky and ring fingers, down to my left hip, buttox, and in my big toe. Again, predominantly secluded to the left side. I have similar sensations on the right side of my body, but this has mainly manifested itself on the left side of my body. My head experiences the most discomforting of the numbness because it begins in my neck, and exists in my lips, chin, and top forehead, on both sides. I frequently complained of a feeling of a frog in my throat, and this all seems to have started shortly after I started methimazole 5 mg (very small dosage) to control my hyperthyroidism caused by graves. So far, no one has addressed that feeling other than by saying I have muscle spams. I also get regular headaches, secluded to top of my head. I have also had a severe loss of taste and smell, and this has also been the most discomforting thing in all this (numbness #1 and #2 near total loss of taste/smell), and so far the doctors are still attempting to make a diagnosis. I had a brain mri in December, and won't know the results until the end of January. I find myself a little too patient to wait for the results, but the way I see it, if it were something truly bad, then they would have called me to tell me about it instead of making me wait. So, that's something I'm holding onto and certainly is comforting. I have advised both the regular md and the neurologist that stress is a factor that cannot be ruled out, and they have decided to rule out other things before they diagnose me with stress. I have had blood tests which came back fine, including the lyme disease test (but nothing for bells palsy as I never brought it up). So, stress is definitely something I am dealing with, but not mentally. Amazingly enough, I have had severe life changes, and my mind has not emotionally dealt with this. I have no emotional reaction whatsoever. My theory is, barring anything bad going on in my brain or having some cancer due to smoking for 7 years (although I have been smoke free since December), since I'm not dealing with my stress emotionally, then my body must have found a way to manifest stress in a physical way. I know this can case many symptoms and eventually lead to problems. The thing is, I find myself impatient in waiting for the doctor to tell me the results at the end of this month. My unreasonably overly critical eye (the other eye's lazy/amblyopia) observes odd things in the mri I just had. Since I'm waiting for my doctor to tell me what's going on, I decided to get the pictures ahead of time on the off chance someone can tell me their general impression of things, and I do know it definitely does not constitute any advice whatsoever. I'm merely seeking an internet opinion, so that I can continue my search for similarities amongst the possibilities that may be afflicting me. My doctors seem to be focusing no seizures, strokes, and MS. I am of the opinion this is stress. However, after memorizing my MRI pictures, it raises a few questions. With the research I have done thus far, it is unclear to me whether the small little spots, and a few bright ones, are something to worry about in my MRI, in conjunction with the location they are in. So, if this forum gives me the option to post my pictures, I intend on posting my pictures in the hopes that someone, even if it's not a qualified person, to make such an opinion/impression, can opine as to what the little black spots are. I find that with my lack of ability to communicate effectively with words these days, sometimes the pictures themselves can be worth a thousand words. Any information offered in response to this inquiry will be greatly appreciated. Nothing will supercede the information that my doctor will provide, but I am interested in other opinions so that I can be prepared to ask the right questions should my doctor seem dismissive. Thank you in advance again.

[law.para.ti]

The link to my pictures is:

http://s958.photobucket.com/albums/ae65/law_para_ti/

[hersister]

I am just another patient, so I have no opinion about your images and will NOT even look at them.

However, I HAVE been through very similar problems with numbness, complete loss of taste and smell, and headaches. The loss of taste and smell was total and bothered me the most. Being a smoker, I knew it was not from smoking.

I have regained my sense of taste and smell, plus many of the other issues are gone. I was finally treated for hypothyroid, which may be part of it. BUT I also had extremely low cortisol levels and very low vitamin D (even after months of high dose prescriptions). I was given hydrocortisone 10mg four times per day along with the thyroid meds and after just a few days everything started getting better. My taste and smell are back! The headaches are not a problem like they were, and I rarely if ever experience numbness anymore.

This may or may not have anything to do with your issues, but if you have very low cortisol levels it might be worth a try. Good luck and hope you feel better.