This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I am new here and have not been diagnosed with MS or anything yet, so it is probably too premature to post. I am undergoing testing (blood work and soon an MRI). I had a recent episode of vision loss and eye pain, and now am very light sensitive. I had this happen two years ago. Notice problems with occasonal slurred speach, balance probs, vertigo, leg falling asleep while walking, memory probs, etc. Noticed that the symptoms line up with MS but I don't want to jump to any conclusions. I seen a neurologist yesterday, he was very matter of fact - I guess they don't know anything until they rule things out. I am in a wierd place: I don't want to have an illness. Yet, I am sick of being told by friends and family that it is all anxiety related. I am scared of the doc finding out something horrific, but also scared of not finding out anything. If no medical condition, how do I explain my memory probs, balance, occasional slurring, fumbling for words, etc to my boss - who will not buy the "it's just anxiety" thing. Plus, I know a lot about anxiety disorders and I don't have a fear when my events happen, more just a strange curiosity as to why these are happening to someone who considers himself otherwise healthy.

If the doc can't come up with an explanation other than it being due to stress or anxiety, I couldn't survive with my family if I ever had to be on disability, AND if I did anyway, my work policy only covers two years for mental disability. I want an answer, not because I am impaitent, but because my job, my coworkers, and my sanity needs that explanation. So, don't want to hope for a lifelong physical illness, but don't want another doc to tell me "That's strange...I don't know". So, now I am waiting for some blood work, am scheduled for an MRI, and am awaiting the journey to find some explanation, and hopefully, this neurologist will give me some answer. Anybody else been in my boat or have any comments?

Hi ChrisinKC,
Welcome to ThisIsMS. I hope that you find a supportive community here. While your symptoms sound like they could be consistent with MS, they could also be caused by a variety of conditions, many of which are also treatable. Sometimes, it can take a while to find the correct diagnosis. Determined persistence would be a good approach, i.e., never give up looking for answers and let the doctors run the tests they need to in order to figure it out.


NHE

HI

My advice is take precautions now on the basis you may have MS. Managing MS is all about limiting damage. I would therefore suggest the following;

Vitamin D supplements 3000-5000iu a day
Omega 3
A good all round iron free multivit and mineral
zinc

Diet. Lots of fish and white meat, limit red meat, tonnes of veg especially leafy greens, moderate fruit. Minimise milk and wheat.


Hopefully you dont have MS but by doing the above you have nothing to lose.

Okay, had MRI and MRA, radiologist thought there was "bilateral narrowing on carotid arteries" but neurologist said something that since I present as healthy and eat right, that he seen stuff but didn't think it was plaque or narrowing like the radiologist thought. Anyway, they want a CT scan of my spine with contrast of iodine stuff injected. I admit, I am scared. I seem to be allergic to everything (but have never been exposed to iodine). I have asthma and fit the mold of being the one with a dark cloud over him. I also made the mistake of looking up the odds of death from having a reaction to radioactive contrast - it was like 1 in 75000 to 100,000. That seems pretty high, but with asthma, one report said 1 in 2000. I inquired about this to him and he seem to blow it off "the chances are low". I want to find out what is wrong with me yet I also don't want to die right there on a CT scan table. What are your thoughts?