Is it MS?

[CrystalAnnie]

Ok... So I've been having weird symptoms for a while that I believe might be MS. I think I have finally come up with the nerve to deal with this...

So here is the background...

November 2008 - Basically my entire body went numb (tingling). Half of my face, neck, shoulders, back, legs etc... Went to the doctor & he did a basic "can you feel sharp/dull test..." Which I could feel the difference... My neck & back were super tense. I was sent to the chiropracter to see if that would take away the pain... It seemed to go away after 3/4 weeks - my doctor mentioned MS but since the symptoms went away neither myself or the doctor pursued anything else.

December 2009 - Breathing problems - went to specialist & he could not figure out why. He said it just appears sometimes in people for no reason. Ok so I have an inhaler - but it is not excerise induced or an outward allergent either... This has been coming & going ever since.

December 2010 - Numbness/tingling came back intermittently. Sometimes on my face, neck/back or arms. Also what I can describe as pins/needles sensation (burning almost) in my arms when I would move my arm, pick up things & at rest. Also, out of the blue ,weakness in my hands/fingers & arms. These also come and go.
My neck & shoulders are in pain!! Like I have huge knots in there squeezing me.
For the last month I have been tired all the time whether or not I have had enough sleep.
My balance is horrible (I have noticed this over the last 6 months) I will also get dizzy/light headed easily.
In the last 6 months I have seen white "spots" in my vision This lasts for 10-20 seconds. (3-4 times)
Muscle spasms in arms/legs - not very extreme or often. This has happened randomly over the past 3 years.
I noticed over the past few weeks sensitivity to extreme heat. I went in the hot tub... my feet had been cold & it felt like I was scadling them when I tried placing them in the water. Afterwards my legs felt like they were extremely overheated/kinda weak... Once they "cooled down" I was fine.
Also being super emotional... not just in the "time of the month"
Crying over things I would not normally...

There are a few more things but I believe I am rambling...
I plan on seeing my doctor after the holidays... I don't want to go in blindly! Whether it is MS or not I want to be able to get some kind of answer...

Any thoughts...?

[lyndacarol]

CrystalAnnie – My standard recommendation is that you find a good GP to work with, one you trust and who is interested and willing to work with you.

Start with a thorough baseline assessment, including physical examination, the usual blood tests and tests for cortisol, thyroid hormones, and fasting serum insulin levels. Document everything; get copies for your own file.

And read, read, read.

Our thoughts and wishes are with you.

[CrystalAnnie]

Sorry for the late response... Thank you for the information!
I am going to see my doctor next week - wish me luck!

[Wonderfulworld]

Good luck Crystalannie!
Ask for Vitamin B12 levels too, deficiency can mimic MS and it's fixable too.
This is a good paper: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11794488.

[DrDiana]

Crystalannie,
You are so smart to do a little research first.
I agree with everyone -- it could be a number of things. I must mention one possibility that gets easily overlooked (a first symptom is often difficulty breathing, with no asthma or wheezing) -- POTS -- "postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome". This can also be secondary to quite a few things, Ehlers-Danlos (a connective tissue disorder) being one of them. Again, it is diagnosed correctly about 10% of the time. You can learn more great info at PotsPlace dot com.
Will you take a peek at that site before you go to your doctor? And let us know how you are doing!

[CrystalAnnie]

Ok... here is what I have so far...
I still have a few tests to go & I have not met with my doctor except for the initial visit...

Blood tests came back... High in sodium, chloride & calcium serum (not sure if this means anything)
Vitamin D low - normal 32.0-100 I am 17.7
On Friday I had an MRI of my upper spine & brain... still waiting results
Going in for a Visual Evoked Response Test on Monday along with another eye test. (I had a regular optometrist visit & I passed all the "normal" tests)

I do have a questions about my symptoms...
The tingling/pain in my arms have gone away mostly - There was a point I could barely hand over change to a cashier, I felt like I was carrying a million pounds holding a coat for someone... my arms & legs felt either in pain or heavy... like walking through mud... I think panicking made it worse That has died down - now my arms/hands/finger feel weak -shaky upon trying to use them. Legs cramping... especially at night... Also feeling shaky on when "in use" ie standing but especially going down a flight of stairs. Also still having pain, muscle spasms in neck & shoulders & "perceived" weakness. Also muscle "spasms" / involuntary movement "jerking" all over my body. (Neck, Arms & Legs) Especially annoying when I am about to go to sleep & I feel like I am being jerked awake.

Do any of these symptoms seem familiar to anyone...? I hate being in the inbetween stage of not knowing what is wrong with me. I am trying to keep a level head... It's hard when deblititating symptoms seems to be heaping on quickly... I don't want to freak out & say I might not even have MS it might be ALS or something else just as horrible... The mind plays mean tricks!!

Sorry for venting... hopefully I will have some answers next week when the rest of the result come back.

[lyndacarol]

CrystalAnnie – Jimmylegs has taught us all that "normal" is not adequate for information on our tests. Try to get the normal range AND your specific number results. Ask your doctor if vitamin D supplementation would be appropriate. Or can you get more sunshine exposure where you live?

As to your symptoms, anyone of us has probably had one or more of your symptoms at one time or another. You are doing all you can – take a deep breath, keep that level head of yours, work with your doctors, let them put together the picture after all your tests; but keep thinking and keep asking them questions. YOU know your body best.

[CrystalAnnie]

Thanks for listening! As for the Vitamin D I should probably use a supplement. I live in the "Seattle" area... we're not know for having alot sunshine... For now I just have to wait...

[jtjdmj]

CrstalAnnie,

I don't think we're doctors here (new myself), but being some one who tried and gave up before going in to my neuro with a self-diagnosis and worse symptoms 1 1/2 years later, I think the most important idea is to get a doctor (GP or neuro) that you like/trust and keep trying til you get an answer and don't let them make you feel crazy!

Jaime