Heaviness in legs? I'm scared....

[mexigrl]

Hi -

I've just started experiencing heaviness and burning in both legs. I'm assuming it has to do with my MS. I was dx'd 5 years ago after some visual and hearing problems. To date I haven't had any spinal lesions on my MRI - perhaps that is changing

Does anyone else have this symptom and if so how to they manage it? I'm going away on a very special vacation to Key West in two weeks and am just praying this is a fleeting symptom. I'm feeling very afraid for the first time in a few years with this illness.

Thanks for your advice/experiences

Mexigrl

[OddDuck]

Hi, Mexigrl.

Your question is a bit of a tough one to answer.

Number one, though is try not to let your fear get too strong. That will only cause more stress, which may make the situation worse.

Two: Yes, I'd say what you are describing is a very common symptom of MS. It "appears" from your post that until now, you have luckily experienced very little in the way of MS symptoms.

Ok..........having said that, though, I'm thinking you should call your doctor. If this is a new symptom that you've never had before, and it has lasted more than 24 hours straight so far, you should check in with your doctor, because you may be entering into an exacerbation. If it is, and if caught early, possibly with a round of oral steroids or something, you may be able to ease it and thereby have less risk of any permanent damage being done.

That doesn't mean you ARE having an exacerbation, but like I said, it sounds like a new symptom for YOU...........that's the determining factor here.

Call your doctor. Chances most likely are that s/he can get things back under control for you so you can go have fun on your vacation!

(I'm jealous, by the way. Sounds like a blast!)

Hang in there!

Deb

[BeckyLA]

My second attack came in the form of a heavy right leg that burned when I tried to use it. I was even having trouble driving. My doctor sent me to the infusion center for a cortosteroid infusion. The infusion was an hour a day for five days, but by the third day, I'd almost regained the full use of my leg. As far as I can tell, I have no lingering problems from that attack. You should call your doctor right away and tell him what's going on because if it is an attack, he could do something to help you and maybe even prevent any long term affects.

On a different note, if you are still having some symptoms when you go to Key West, let us know if they get any better while you are there. After my own experiences and talking to a few other MSers, I have this theory that flying to tropical locals relieves MS symptoms, where flying to higher latitudes actually makes it worse.

Have fun on your trip and try not to freak yourself out. Just talk to you doctor.