This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hi all,

I've not been diagnosed with anything yet (and this isn't another "do I have MS?" post!), but for a few months I've been back and forwards to my doctor with a list of symptoms (numbness, weakness, pins and needles on left side, extreme cold in hands and feet, memory problems, difficulty swallowing...)

Doctor initially thought some kind of peripheral neuropathy(!), and put me on NSAIDs for a trapped nerve. Those didn't work, and the next doctor I saw thought maybe it was some kinda autoimmune disease and sent me for blood tests.

I've just got the results back and they're all absolutely fine. Problem is, I'm not. The weird sensations have moved up to my neck, which is crazily uncomfortable, and I've noticed that I'm having trouble completely emptying my bladder when I "go".

I actaully went to the emergency room the other week as I was feeling so bad, and the dr I saw there said he was going to suggest to my dr that I'm referred to a neuro. However...I mentioned this to my dr and he basically said "there's no way it can be neurological if the symptoms aren't there ALL the time".

Is he right?? Was hoping to get an answer from the bloods just so I could be done with all this, but I'm still really worried about the possibilty of MS...

see a neurologist as a first & high priority. do not pass go, do not collect £200, do not take a no from your dr.

LondonGirl wrote:I actaully went to the emergency room the other week as I was feeling so bad, and the dr I saw there said he was going to suggest to my dr that I'm referred to a neuro. However...I mentioned this to my dr and he basically said "there's no way it can be neurological if the symptoms aren't there ALL the time".

MS symptoms can vary esepecially with stress levels. I find that if I'm more physically stressed then I get increased burning sensations in my leg. These appear in patches and can be in different locations from one incident to the next. I agree with CureOrBust, go see a neurologist. It might be MS or it might not but a neurologist will hopefully have the expertise to figure out what's going on.

NHE

found this neat blurb on stress and nutrient depletion, looks like a pretty good match for some of the standard ms regimen items:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... 45412/pg_2

Vitamin A: 15,000 international units (TU) daily (10,000 IU for pregnant women). This vitamin helps adrenal gland function and promotes healthy growth of epithelial cells, including those lining the blood vessels.

Vitamin B complex: 100 mg. daily. These vitamins help the nervous system function, reduce anxiety and immune system damage, and improve brain function. Also include 50mg. daily of pyridoxine (B-6), which influences neurotransmitters and helps convert tryptophan to serotonin.

Vitamin C: 2,000 to 4,000 mg. daily. A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C boosts the immune system and is needed to produce connective tissue, which helps maintain the structure of tissues, including blood vessels. Vitamin C reduces some allergic responses and helps offset the depletion of adrenal gland hormones caused by stress.

Vitamin E: 800 IU daily. Vitamin E is the strongest antioxidant and works with vitamin C and selenium to help strengthen the immune system, fight heart disease, promote healthy nerve function, and minimize the damage to muscles caused by free radicals.

Calcium: 1,500 mg. daily. Calcium relaxes muscles, builds bone, reduces intestinal irritation, and lowers blood pressure.

Magnesium: 800 mg. daily. This element is vital for nerve conditioning, muscle contraction, and transmission of impulses through the nervous system. Low intakes of magnesium are associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.

Potassium: 2,000 mg. daily. Potassium is especially needed during stress because it promotes adrenal gland functioning. It also helps muscle contraction, nerve conduction, heartbeat regulation and energy production. It interacts with sodium to regulate the body's fluid balance and can help lower blood pressure. [JL notes this dose is well under the recommended daily amount]

Selenium: 70 mcg. for men, 55 mcg. for women daily. Selenium is a trace mineral with antioxidant properties that helps prevent some cancers and heart disease and boosts the immune system.

Zinc: 50 mg. daily. This essential element is involved in the production of more than 200 body enzymes. It helps heal wounds, promotes healthy skin and boosts immune function.

Thanks all. I started taking a daily B complex before I got my test results were back in case that was the cause but will definitely try some of the others too - thanks Jimmy!

Will see what dr says. Considering he doesn't think it's neurological I could struggle to get a referral Everything I've been told and everything I've read suggests otherwise though. Think it could be a while between referral and actually getting an appointment but hey, that's the NHS for you!

no probs LG
the big thing missing from that list is vitamin d3. 4000IU per day in winter, if you live outside the tropics.
you want at least 100nmol/L vitamin d3 [the right metabolite to test is 25(OH)d3] in your blood to promote immune health, and get d3's anti-depressant benefit to help you deal with stress when you must.

i used to have trouble swallowing and magnesium helped me with that a lot. my throat is not totally perfect but at least i'm not scared of it seizing mid-swallow and suffocating me any more.

with magnesium you want to take some with your daily intake of vitamin d3, and some at a different time.
magnesium is hard to supplement because it is not very soluble, which means it goes right through you.
magnesium oxide is the worst for this.
magnesium citrate is a more soluble option.
don't hit 800mg per day right away! try to work your way up and identify your tolerance level. when i have a bottle of 250mg capsules, i can deal with 2 per day but when i up it to three, i find i'm spending a little too much time in the loo ;)
right now i have a citrate powder i can mix with hot water for an evening drink, and a calcium-magnesium liquid for other times.

and yes yes yes, do what you can to get that 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinion LG! you're the one that lives with you 24/7 right?

HTH,
JL

Hi LG
Oh my, I had such a severe first atack that I could not bend anything from the waist down I walked on stiff legs! My attack was that dramatic and it still took 2 years to be referred to a neuro, who figured it out first visit in about 5 minutes...and by then my legs had calmed down and I could walk, he didn't even see the bad part.

I am with Cure, get the referral and don't let anyone say no. I am an American so don't understand NICE but can't the ER persons recommend stand you in good stead there?

Good luck!

Well...I've just had my appointment wiht the doctor, and he's finally referred me to a neuro This is despite him saying "I don't think there's any point, your blood tests are fine, you've just got an infection IMO". Hmmm. I think I'd rather let a specialist tell me what THEY think!!

Not till April 2nd, but I guess it's not that long to wait really...

well good. doctors are not infallible and you may as well go to someone with the specialized know-how to assess your problem.
at least he didn't tell you your appt would be april 1!!

LG
If your doctor thinks you have an infection did he start you on any antibiotics? And did he say what type of infection? What tests did he do that would indicate an infection?
I am happy for you that you got an appointment with a neurologist. April is not too far away!
Lori

Neruologist. Neurologist. Neurologist.

Done!

Even if you don't have MS, it certainly needs to be ruled out.

LondonGirl wrote:despite him saying "I don't think there's any point, your blood tests are fine, you've just got an infection IMO".

I have MS, and any infection (ie a cold or flu) is what triggers a relapse in me.

My GPs told me for 2 months that I was just having muscle spasms. I had to push to see a neurologist and finally one of them relented and gave me a referral. In the mean time I ended up in the emergency room barely able to walk or talk. I wish I had been more assertive and demanded they listen to me sooner. We have to take charge of our own health and not just accept that doctors know all. Good thing that you are finally getting in to see a neurologist. At least maybe you'll be able to get some answers. Good luck
Judie

Jimmy - ha, that would have been brilliant...!!

Loriyas - No antibiotics, no. I think he's just talking rubbish because he's got no answers and doesn't seem to care!! Despite the fact I've been to see him twice in a week it seems like he thinks nothing's wrong!

Judie - I know what you mean. I've been working from home over the last week but actually went in yesterday...and ended up in the ER in the afternoon when my whole left arm just refused to do anything. 5hrs later when I actually got to see a doctor I was told that my reflexes were fine and the fact that I could move it now meant that there was no point in them admitting me and doing some tests. Not happy!!

Hi LG

Yes it's frustrating when you know there's something up and no-one can tell you what it is. I was on the case for 5 years. The neuro knew within 10 minutes of checking me.

I hope for your sake it is something simple and easily treatable that has been overlooked. I wish that for you.

Having said that you have found one of the best places to be should you need this wonderful bunch of people and all the knowledge and support that is here.

Good luck

J xx