This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi,
I have yet to be diagnosed with MS, but I have a feeling that my health problems are because of it. It started back in February. I was getting headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and pain in my hip that went down my thigh. I thought it was an OBGYN problem, but they said that nothing was wrong with me there. Then I went to one neurologist and he said- its migraines, and slammed the door in my face. Then after about 6 weeks my issues magically went away. Hazaah! I was so happy...but then, about a week and a half ago, I started getting the same symptoms, only they were much worse. I was at work, and felt so dizzy and the vertigo that I wanted to collapse. I get this HORRIBLE thigh pain that runs down to my foot sometimes. It feels like a contraction. It be sort of there, but not really, and then all the sudden it will surge up and get so painful, and then it settles down...and then surges back up again. It only happens in one leg and that leg feels so heavy. I dont even want to walk, and nothing kills the pain. Also my left eye is really cloudy, and my arm (the same side as the leg with pain) feels heavy and sore; like I just did an intense work out. If I dont do much in the day, and sleep for 18hrs, then I'm fine, but the second I move around, do errands, go to work (I have 2 jobs where I am on my feet all day), then I am in such intense pain. Also sometimes I get tingles in my fingers or toes and little shocks at the base of my neck. I go to another neurologist on Wednesday...I'm hoping he'll actually listen to me. Does anyone else go through this? I really appreciate any feedback. thank you so much!

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Allison. Many people here will read and identify with your symptoms; many have had even longer journeys to get a diagnosis. Every one of us will probably have our own unique ideas. I am surprised that you will have seen two neurologists soon. Do you have a GP, internist or family physician, who can coordinate your case? Since you described your thigh pain as feeling like a contraction, it may be a problem in the muscle. Perhaps for the same reasons your "leg feels so heavy." Personally, I think that many modern health problems stem from too much insulin in the body; if this is the source for your problem, perhaps it is more logical to see an endocrinologist. I suggest starting with your GP, a thorough baseline examination, and a series of blood tests. Keep notes on every appointment; keep your own file with copies of every test result. All the best to you.

If I were you and I had blurred vision in one eye and a heavy leg I would go to the outpatients of the best hospital you know and tell them you don't know why you feel like this. It can takes hours but someone should see you and either conduct some tests or consult a specialist for advice. Neurologists have a bad habit of being very pleased with themselves and are usually not that helpful.
Go to a hospital when you are unwell rather than wait. You may not have MS at all.

Regards

You may want to go directly to the ER. If you tell them you were dizzy or faint, they will most always do an MRI. I had a Family Doc and Neurologist who was a friend dismiss my symptoms. Not that they didn't lister or care, it was that they were minor and people getting MS at my age (55 at the time) was highly unusual. When I had some stronger symptoms show up, I simply went to the ER and got the MRI that showed the problem.

hey there allison, do you think there could be any reason why your nutrient status might be off? there are quite a few nutrients that are known to be subpar in ms. low intakes of these are relatively common, but because they do so many different things in your body, how it affects each individual can vary widely. going beyond low intakes, certain food combinations impair retention of nutrients.

given the pain and vision issues, i'm interested in your magnesium and zinc status. these are very common 'problem' nutrients and both are known to be poor in the average ms patient. whether you have ms or something else altogether, nutrition is something you can control. maybe you could get some relief by testing serum magnesium and serum zinc and then working both into the upper half of the 'normal' range. if you're interested in reading any more about nutrition, my 'signature' links below have some additional info.

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my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Hey newbie, I had the same symptoms when I was first diagnosed. My legs felt so heavy that I was having trouble jogging a mile. I deteriorated quickly until I got my diagnosis. You need a true diagnosis to proceed. This site has been an incredible help in building me back up.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I went to my neurologist and he dismissed it. He said the time I was sick previously (with the exact same issues, mind you), that it was some sort of virus. (for 6wks that caused me a lot of pain?! What?)...I said to him that the heat makes it worse (its 90 something here on the east coast, and woulda ya know, Im in pain). I told him it moves around from my hip, to the front of my thigh, to the side, and then to the back. He decided, that I am to go to an orthopedist. He does not think my symptoms are related, even though they occur together, and they go away together. He also dismissed me because I have Bipolar and because, Im 20. Nobody takes a college kid's health problems seriously. I really want to figure this out before I go back to school in the fall. I had to take a leave before in the spring because of these issues. I am trying to transfer to Arizona State, and if gets worse in the heat, I really don't think I want to live there. I'm so frustrated!

Hi Again,

Most of us have had problems with Neurologists. They specialise in arrogance first and medicine as a secondary concern. Often they are hopelessly behind the research and they subscribe to journals they never read. I know that's a generalisation but it will ring true for many of us. We should really be seen by immunologists and virologists but neuros hold the keys to the door.
Find another neuro. Ask your GP for a reference to one who will order an MRI. If your neuro gave you a diagnosis without conducting any basic test then that is woeful. You don't deserve that sort of dismissive behaviour. You may not have an MS attack but if there is no test then how can there be a reliable diagnosis? You will have to try again but don't go back to that person again.

Good luck.