This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

My family practice doctor has referred me to a neurologist.
While my family practice doctor did not mention MS specifically...I feel that
it's likely, as it appears to fit the symptoms I have.

I am 31-year old, male.
About 4-months ago my feet were burning/stinging and hurting me so
bad that I went to the ER. I had tests done for my kidneys, diabetes, B12, etc...
and everything came back fine. No problems. This lasted for 2-3 weeks and then went
away completely....no problems at all (I was completely normal feeling) until about 4-weeks ago.
So that's about a 4-month gap between symptoms.

With this second episode my feet started just like the first episode, but it also involves my hands.
Same exact feeling as my feet (burning/stinging and physically sore sometimes, especially in the morning when
I first get out of bed). I also sometimes get a slightly shaky/panicky/anxiety type feeling
that produces a slight itch on my arms and legs. This seems to happen if I try to get out and about,
go to the store or whatever. If I just stay at home and relax I'm usually fine, or it's at least not as severe.
Today for example I felt pretty good, not much problems with my hands or feet or anything else until I decided
to go get some groceries, and by the time I was loading the car up, I felt a little cloudy, with a bit of the anxiety/shaking
and itching skin, and some of the hand and feet burning came back.....when I rest it gets better slowly over time.

I see the neurologist next Thursday...
Thoughts? Any questions I should be asking? Etc...

Much appreciated.

I don't know if this would be of any help..my guess is not, but just in case here are my blood work results:

If I were you I would investigate Lyme, cpn, bartonella and babesia. They are often misdiagnosed for MS. I would educate yourself on the controversy of Lyme and I would read Dr. Burrascano's Lyme disease Guidelines thoroughly!! Your neurologist will laugh at these suggestions. I would also start talking about the possibility of Lyme with friends and family as they might be able to lead you to help through someone they know etc... This is a real growing epidemic!! Do Not treat with immunosuppresive meds including steroids until you have knowledge as this will make you worse.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, JMan. As you asked, here are my thoughts: I commend you for the prompt action you have taken with your situation. I understand your concern about MS – it could be the reason for your symptoms OR it might not be the reason.

Your family practice doctor is to be commended also for his quick action and testing for possible causes.

I am the "insulin girl" here at this website – I think the MS cascade starts with excess insulin. In my case, I think the "raw" or "sunburned" feeling I have in my feet and legs is due to damage in the capillaries and other blood vessels caused by the caustic hormone insulin excess (blood tests have shown repeatedly that my insulin levels are elevated – I'm always above the optimal 3 UU/ML or below level). From childhood, my diet has been heavy on carbohydrates which I believe pushed my pancreas into chronically secreting too much insulin. I suspect that your "episodes" have been times that your pancreas has been "on the fritz" – producing too much insulin, perhaps in response to a diet temporarily high in carbs and sugar or perhaps because of a virus/bacterium or for another reason.

I encourage you to ask your family doctor for a "fasting blood insulin test." Here is my reason: I assume your glucose test was done on fasting blood; the 99 is on the high end under those conditions. You are not yet in the type II diabetes range, but in the progress toward type II diabetes hyperinsulinemia (or excess insulin production) comes before the high glucose level which defines diabetes. Your observation of the burning sensation in your feet "especially in the morning when [you] first get out of bed" does not precisely fit my insulin idea because insulin production usually decreases overnight when we sleep… UNLESS your pancreas is not operating properly.

Concerning the TSH test (thyroid problems are good to rule out because they can manifest in "MS symptoms")… but the pituitary gland-produced TSH test does not give the whole picture of the thyroid. Your thyroid may be just fine, but a more complete picture would include testing for Free T4, Free T3, Total T3, Reverse T3, and anti-thyroid antibodies.

All the best to you on Thursday with the neurologist. I tend to believe these specialists can only see a problem to be within their area of expertise.