Just diagnosed..not sure what's next

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c21
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2016 11:02 am

Just diagnosed..not sure what's next

Post by c21 »

I have been having symptoms of severe leg pain (like someone is in the back of my leg ripping my muscles out), headaches that never go away, all over body pain, heavy arms, finger and toes tingling, blurred vision (like spacing out and not able to see), memory loss, & extreme fatigue.

I went to my neurologist yesterday for a review of my MRI on the brain, she pulled me back and showed it to me. I had around 10 lesions all over the brain, she said I had MS. She also said my cerebellum is lower than the "normal" person.

She is sending me for a spinal MRI next week and to a specialist in a month. I'm just so anxious that I want some insight on what may be going on.

Much love!
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lyndacarol
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Re: Just diagnosed..not sure what's next

Post by lyndacarol »

c21 wrote:I have been having symptoms of severe leg pain (like someone is in the back of my leg ripping my muscles out), headaches that never go away, all over body pain, heavy arms, finger and toes tingling, blurred vision (like spacing out and not able to see), memory loss, & extreme fatigue.

I went to my neurologist yesterday for a review of my MRI on the brain, she pulled me back and showed it to me. I had around 10 lesions all over the brain, she said I had MS. She also said my cerebellum is lower than the "normal" person.

She is sending me for a spinal MRI next week and to a specialist in a month. I'm just so anxious that I want some insight on what may be going on.
Welcome to ThisIsMS, c21.

There are many possible conditions that may be going on, the many likely possibilities must be ruled out first before MS can even be considered. Lesions in the brain are not unique to MS – lesions can be found with migraine headaches, celiac disease, and other conditions. There is no definitive test for MS; nor is there any symptom found only in MS.

Since vitamin D deficiency can result in the same symptoms you are experiencing, I hope your GP or neurologist has ordered the easy, inexpensive vitamin D blood test (the "25-hydroxy D" test). It is estimated that over 70% of the US population has suboptimal vitamin D levels – in my opinion, this is logically the first place to investigate. By the way, request your own copy of any test results – it is important to have the actual numbers.

If you have the actual test result numbers for the vitamin D test, please share the results with us. In January, I had the test and my results (24 ng/mL) were low – frankly deficient.

If your vitamin D level is good (40-60 ng/mL), move on with testing for vitamin B12. (A B12 deficiency can also result in neurological symptoms such as yours. Estimates are that 40% of Americans have suboptimal vitamin B12 levels.) If you have these test results, please share them.

Other nutrient testing may also be a good idea. Have your doctors ordered the RBC (red blood cell) magnesium test? A zinc test? Deficiencies here can also lead to neurological symptoms.

Have you had thyroid tests? These are only the beginning areas that should be ruled out before jumping to the idea of MS. I hope your doctors have thoroughly checked these areas.
ElliotB
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Re: Just diagnosed..not sure what's next

Post by ElliotB »

You need to give your doctors time to do their job.

In the mean time (until your diagnosis is confirmed), there are many things you can do to improve your situation/health with regard to diet, exercise, supplements and lifestyle change. Maximizing/improving all these areas will only help you. Have you had complete blood work done?
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