I'm currently living in Chestermere, AB, Canada, 42 yrs old married Mom of 3 awesome boys. I'm also gluten intolerant, though test for Celiac came back negative because I refuse to eat gluten). Anyway... about 2 mths ago, I had a really bad fall on ice in which I landed flat on my back & head. I watched for signs of concussion, which never came. I was only slightly sore (like mild whiplash) from the top of my neck down my back. It went away after a few days. I've always been very active and in great shape... I exercise regularly: running, weights; I am a personal trainer. However, things suddenly went downhill, it started with tingling in my toes and fingers on my left side only, a very weak lower back and pain in my neck. I stared dropping things... I broke 3 glasses emptying the dishwasher. I then had an episode where my vision suddenly went very dim and blurry, and I though I was going to faint. I sat down (panicking) but it passed after what was probably actually a very short time, and then I started shaking, and was doing that all day. By the time my Dr appt came around (a few days later), the pins and needles in my toes and hands increased, and I had a strange cold numbness in my upper left arm and thigh, and my tongue, lips and face (from my nose to behind my ears) felt numb - like when the freezing is wearing off from the Dentist), and I feel shaky - like muscle fatigue after a good weight workout. I thought I might have a herniated disk (or two). The Dr ordered several blood tests for various deficiencies, ECG, and X-rays of my neck, back and pelvis. By the time of my follow-up, the numbness and tingling had spread to my right side, and I was getting shocks of pain in my lower legs, and neck. Everything came back normal, to my surprise, but my Dr suggested MS, and referred me to an Internal Medicine Physician. He also put in a requisition for an MRI. A week later I was at the Int Med Dr, who also mentioned the possibility of MS (they didn't suggest anything else, and that's when I started checking MS online), but did a requisition a bunch more blood tests anyway (don't know the results yet) as well a req for copy of my MRI. I since had my MRI (they were FAST). But as my next follow up appt with Int Med is next Monday (the earliest they can get me in), I went to my Dr as things are getting worse. He said that my MRI came back normal. I asked him if that meant I did not have MS, and he said "no". The brain scan is not conclusive nor a reliable diagnosis for MS. There is another MRI with contrast that I will have to get, and that I should stick with my Int Med Dr for that. I call my Int Med Dr, but they cannot get me in any earlier. The reason I wanted to get in is because things are getting worse. I've tried to work out, but walking wipes me out... I tried jogging, but barely did 2 mins before my body gave out. I can barely lift 5lbs weights without getting total muscle fatigue, and then I'm out for days. I'm now twitch, and get these creepy crawling skin feelings, and I am so tired! The intensity of the numbness changes as I do more activity, and I have trouble walking. And I always feel so weak. I was told my both Dr's if things get worse to go to Emergency. Well I don't think I can wait, and my husband wants me to go tonight. I guess my only struggle is if I go, what are they going to do? I can't stand this any longer and I don't think I have any choice... but to me emergency should be a matter of life and death... though I feel like the life is being sucked out of me... . The more I read about MS, the more it sounds like that's what it is. I've had a history of visual disturbances and severe migraines since I was young, they got worse in my 20s. Eye Drs have said I have binocular disfunction, while another says my muscles just can't seem to focus, they are working to hard. I wear glasses that help, but usually in the afternoon, they don't, and I get double vision. I've had carpal tunnel syndrome in both my wrists early 20s; diagnosed as I had severe numbness in my fingers. I had the operations and though it's been much better, I always thought that it wasn't 100% as I would still get tingling off and on (never really gave it much thought till now). I've been tested for Asthma because of breathing difficulties... I don't have asthma, but I get a tightness in my chest that seems to stop me from being able to take deep breaths (esp in humidity). I've had several episodes of sharp upper abdominal pains, and had all sorts of test for my gall bladder, stomach, esophagus, liver... everything always comes back normal, and because things go away, I never would pursue it, and have to start from point zero all over again. I even had one Dr tell me that it's my age, and I'm a mom, and maybe I should exercise and change my diet! I was ready to punch him...
I know this is a lot to read. And I really appreciate it. I completely sympathize with anyone who has MS. It really scares me when I read about the stories on this forum, and the frustration of waiting for results or treatment. I wish you all well. I guess I'm just looking for confirmation that at this point going to Emergency is the right thing to do, and to just get my story out there. I just want to know, so I can begin to deal with this before it gets any worse. It's taken me a long time to type this, and now I'm tired. Any help, support is greatly appreciated.
Amanda
, though I hate that I can't work out like I use too.
