Uncertain - Please Help?
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:50 pm
Hi, folks.
I haven't been officially diagnosed with MS, but under the circumstances, I am starting to believe that I have it. I've been going to a neurologist for 5 months and he hasn't been able to figure out what is wrong.
I've been doing a lot of reading and from the looks of it, some people with MS can go undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed for a while. I guess I just want someone else's opinion. Should I consider pursuing MS as a possible answer for my ailments? Below is an explanation of my symptoms. (I know this is long, but I really need some guidance.)
HEAD
- Trouble focusing/concentrating
- Memory problems, especially with short-term. I can forget something I just finished saying. I've even been told I've done/said things that I have absolutely NO recollection of doing/saying.
- Dizziness. I get weird "swings" of dizziness that make me almost fall over, and feel like I'm spinning. Happens any time: sitting, standing, lying down, turning my head, etc.
- Shocking head pains: Feel like a jolt/shock on the left side of my head. Varies in strength and frequency and seems to come randomly. Lasts only a second, but can occur in groups, like a few times in a row, or continually for hours, or maybe just once. The strong ones completely throw me off from whatever I'm doing. Lately it has been happening whenever I hear a loud, sharp noise, like something falling or banging.
- Trouble hearing and understanding sometimes. Especially when my attention is divided. If I am not looking at the person talking, there's a decent chance I will not understand what they're saying. Just sounds like gibberish. My boyfriend is getting tired of having to repeat himself when we talk on the phone.
- Sleepiness. I am always sleepy. All the time. it seems to be worst, though, in the afternoon and early evening. I can't remember the last time I woke up and actually felt refreshed. Every time I wake up, it is because I force myself to do so.
EYES
- Double-vision, especially when I'm very tired/fatigued. Happens most when I am lying down, on my side, and trying to do something like watch tv or read a book.
- Eye pain: Basically, it hurts when I move them, like to look to the side or look up. Sometimes it even hurts to keep them open, and I have to sit here and force myself to keep my eyes open.
- Light sensitivity: I prefer to be in the dark. The brighter the environment, the more I am uncomfortable and have to squint or cover my eyes. It feels easier to see when the lights are dim/darker. Dark, cloudy days are the best for me.
MOUTH
- Slurred speech. Happens most especially when I am extremely fatigued, or still waking up (which takes me at least an hour to become fully awake). I find it takes too much energy to enunciate properly, so I mumble or slur my words. Either that or the words sound fine to me, but are incomprehensible to anyone else.
BODY
- Overall Fatigue & Weakness: My body is always tired and feels weak. This makes things like standing, walking, going up or down stairs, and doing normal everyday tasks (like opening a bottle, lifting things, carrying things, etc.) difficult to do without a lot of effort.
- Bladder: Frequent urination, feelings of urgency (even though sometimes only a trickle will come out). Sometimes I feel like I need to go, but can't.
ARMS
- Weakness, difficulty carrying things and doing tasks like driving.
- Muscle cramps and spasms, causing involuntary movements. Sometimes repetitive.
- Muscles feel stiff and sore, like I've been working out (only I haven't, because I feel to weak to do so!).
- Happens on both sides.
HANDS
- Weakness, difficulty holding things and opening bottles/jars, etc.
- Muscle cramps, especially in my palm. More on left hand than right.
- Muscle twitches, especially in my fingers. More on left hand than right.
LEGS
- Weakness, difficulty walking and standing. Going up and down stairs requires concentration so I don't fall, and holding onto rails and walls.
- Muscle cramps and spasms, causing involuntary movements, like muscle flexing, leg twisting/rotating, etc.
- Muscles, especially quads, feel stiff and sore, like I've been working out (only I haven't, because I feel to weak to do so!).
- Happens on both sides.
- Sometimes I have to adopt weird postures while walking, due to the weakness and muscle cramps/stiffness.
FEET
- Muscle cramps, especially in my left foot. I feel that if I do anything to flex the muscle in the arch of my foot, it will cramp/seize up on me. It hurts and it makes it difficult to walk sometimes.
- Left is definitely worse than right
I haven't been officially diagnosed with MS, but under the circumstances, I am starting to believe that I have it. I've been going to a neurologist for 5 months and he hasn't been able to figure out what is wrong.
I've been doing a lot of reading and from the looks of it, some people with MS can go undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed for a while. I guess I just want someone else's opinion. Should I consider pursuing MS as a possible answer for my ailments? Below is an explanation of my symptoms. (I know this is long, but I really need some guidance.)
HEAD
- Trouble focusing/concentrating
- Memory problems, especially with short-term. I can forget something I just finished saying. I've even been told I've done/said things that I have absolutely NO recollection of doing/saying.
- Dizziness. I get weird "swings" of dizziness that make me almost fall over, and feel like I'm spinning. Happens any time: sitting, standing, lying down, turning my head, etc.
- Shocking head pains: Feel like a jolt/shock on the left side of my head. Varies in strength and frequency and seems to come randomly. Lasts only a second, but can occur in groups, like a few times in a row, or continually for hours, or maybe just once. The strong ones completely throw me off from whatever I'm doing. Lately it has been happening whenever I hear a loud, sharp noise, like something falling or banging.
- Trouble hearing and understanding sometimes. Especially when my attention is divided. If I am not looking at the person talking, there's a decent chance I will not understand what they're saying. Just sounds like gibberish. My boyfriend is getting tired of having to repeat himself when we talk on the phone.
- Sleepiness. I am always sleepy. All the time. it seems to be worst, though, in the afternoon and early evening. I can't remember the last time I woke up and actually felt refreshed. Every time I wake up, it is because I force myself to do so.
EYES
- Double-vision, especially when I'm very tired/fatigued. Happens most when I am lying down, on my side, and trying to do something like watch tv or read a book.
- Eye pain: Basically, it hurts when I move them, like to look to the side or look up. Sometimes it even hurts to keep them open, and I have to sit here and force myself to keep my eyes open.
- Light sensitivity: I prefer to be in the dark. The brighter the environment, the more I am uncomfortable and have to squint or cover my eyes. It feels easier to see when the lights are dim/darker. Dark, cloudy days are the best for me.
MOUTH
- Slurred speech. Happens most especially when I am extremely fatigued, or still waking up (which takes me at least an hour to become fully awake). I find it takes too much energy to enunciate properly, so I mumble or slur my words. Either that or the words sound fine to me, but are incomprehensible to anyone else.
BODY
- Overall Fatigue & Weakness: My body is always tired and feels weak. This makes things like standing, walking, going up or down stairs, and doing normal everyday tasks (like opening a bottle, lifting things, carrying things, etc.) difficult to do without a lot of effort.
- Bladder: Frequent urination, feelings of urgency (even though sometimes only a trickle will come out). Sometimes I feel like I need to go, but can't.
ARMS
- Weakness, difficulty carrying things and doing tasks like driving.
- Muscle cramps and spasms, causing involuntary movements. Sometimes repetitive.
- Muscles feel stiff and sore, like I've been working out (only I haven't, because I feel to weak to do so!).
- Happens on both sides.
HANDS
- Weakness, difficulty holding things and opening bottles/jars, etc.
- Muscle cramps, especially in my palm. More on left hand than right.
- Muscle twitches, especially in my fingers. More on left hand than right.
LEGS
- Weakness, difficulty walking and standing. Going up and down stairs requires concentration so I don't fall, and holding onto rails and walls.
- Muscle cramps and spasms, causing involuntary movements, like muscle flexing, leg twisting/rotating, etc.
- Muscles, especially quads, feel stiff and sore, like I've been working out (only I haven't, because I feel to weak to do so!).
- Happens on both sides.
- Sometimes I have to adopt weird postures while walking, due to the weakness and muscle cramps/stiffness.
FEET
- Muscle cramps, especially in my left foot. I feel that if I do anything to flex the muscle in the arch of my foot, it will cramp/seize up on me. It hurts and it makes it difficult to walk sometimes.
- Left is definitely worse than right