This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hey, I'm Marissa, and I'm 21 years old.

I've had a doctor suspect MS when I was 16, but I ended up never going to see a neurologist because i moved. I've had symptoms since at least 14. They have slowly gotten worse. Right now, the heat is killing me and I don't have air conditioning. The palms of my hands and the bottoms of my feet are burning and stinging so much. That's my main issue at the moment. Sometimes my arms and legs go numb. The arch of both feet feel really tight. I have fasiculations sometimes. Random jolts of nerve pain here and there, usually hip and spine. My muscles spasm, and the muscles in my neck and shoulders are rock hard, professional massage didn't even help. Fibromyalgia runs in the family, and I get it a little bit in a couple spots but all my other pain is different. I'm pretty sure I experience the ms hug, it's only happened maybe 6 times, always in the summer, that I can recall over the years, maybe more but I usually attributed it to anxiety and panic attacks. It feels like my ribs are crushing me.

I'll be seeing a neurologist eventually, but it takes forever to see a specialist in Canada.

welcome

hi marissa, sorry to hear you're going through all this.

i'm in canada too, but i lucked out in the early days, had a long term overseas departure looming so they rushed my dx testing. when i was back from my trip (postponed - thank you travel insurance, whew!) and the pressure was off, i remember being asked by my neuro at one appt, did i need anything further? i said 'how about a follow-up mri?' and he said 'okay, brain only 3 months wait, brain and spine 6 months' (or something like that anyway). ick! but i chose the latter b/c i was going to be out of province for 4 mo anyway, and why take less info when you can get more

if you want to try something on your own while you wait to see a specialist, i have spent the last few years researching nutritional health management. for the heat sensitivity, pain, muscle spasms/tics, panic/anxiety, and familial tendency to fibro, these all point to magnesium deficits. the hip and spine bone pain point to vitamin d3, which is closely linked with magnesium status also. both extremely common nutritional issues that can manifest in many ways depending on the individual. both nutrients are also known to be lower in ms patients compared to controls. (although often still within the 'normal' range - that's a whole other subject though). if you have a doc that will order nutritional testing, and will give you the results, that's a good start. what province are you in? in ontario patients have to pay for 25(OH)vitamin d3 now (unless you qualify for one of the listed exceptions) - they delisted that particular test from the OHIP schedule of lab benefits in the last year or two.

if these ideas interest you you might like to read some of my 'signature' links below.

welcome to the forum!

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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