This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

For the last five years, I've been actively seeking medical treatment to find an answer to my many ailments. I first started having issues with Raynauds type symptoms first, but my labs were repeatedly negative for autoimmune conditions. As time progressed, I started having stroke like symptoms - difficulty speaking, connecting words, and loss of balance. These flares would last a short period of time. However, the memory issues I've been having are the worst. If I come down with a simple cold that is going around, all the above symptoms start happening, and then I become almost absent minded. It's almost as though my brain is not connecting as it should. To the extreme, my husband pointed at the stove and said it was still on. I walked over to it, saw the burner was bright red, and reached my hand out to touch it. It's clearly something I wouldn't normally do, but something wasn't connecting. Now, I am starting to have very bizzare hand spasms, to the point that my hand completely closes at times. I am wondering if any one else has experienced this same symptoms, as my labs again have completely come up normal? If so, what are some things you've done to help with them? I'm finding that I can recover some of my cognitive function by re-reading what I've lost and playing games that enhance brain function.
To add to the experience, my case is slightly more complex and less understood then some other MS cases - as it is definitely linked to a long term chemical exposure that I experienced. My neurologist definitely agrees there is something wrong, but the closest neuroepidimiologist is another state away. 100+ doctors visits in a year, almost every test run under the sun; except for a LP. He's leaning towards MS, but since there were so many chemicals I was involved with - even dealing with my case is difficult for him. Then to add, I also have stage 3 kidney disease. So, doctors are extremely hesitant to add any new medications. Therefore, if any one has any suggestions from a non-medicine based standpoint, I'm willing to try anything. 33 years old, and my husband is starting to get scared to leave me home alone! Thank you in advance.

AnnValley wrote:...Then to add, I also have stage 3 kidney disease. So, doctors are extremely hesitant to add any new medications. Therefore, if any one has any suggestions from a non-medicine based standpoint, I'm willing to try anything. 33 years old, and my husband is starting to get scared to leave me home alone! Thank you in advance.

I am not a physician. I suggest that you ask your doctor for a "fasting blood insulin test," (This is NOT the same as a glucose test!). The optimal result is 3 UU/ML or lower. Insulin is very caustic and I think an elevated level of this hormone is responsible for many MS-type symptoms; since it goes through the kidneys and is in the urine, I would not be surprised if it could contribute even to kidney disease. It might be helpful to look into the experience and regimen of Dr. Terry Wahls (http://www.TerryWahls.com).

Thank you, I appreciate that you clarified between the two tests. I checked my labs this morning, and a fasting glucose was pulled, but they never checked the insulin levels. I was asked, by more then one doctor, if diabetes had been ruled out. I thought it was, with the fasting tests I undertook. Therefore, I'm glad you pointed this out, because I know it can be related to transient vision loss; which, is another thing that I've been experiencing.
Thank you for your help!