Advice very much appreciated

[Cheekster09]

Hi.

I've suspected MS for a couple of years now, but when I mentioned it to my doctor last year he shrugged it off and said that my symptoms were caused by my under-active thyroid, so once that was stabilised he would look in to the MS possibility more. My thyroid has been under-active for a few years now and finally is on track with the correct amount of thyroxine.

My symptoms are: neurological issues, this is the biggest one for me. I find that even though my mind knows how to do something, how to work something out, how to read, how to problem solve, often I just can't get past that. I can't get past the point of knowing in my mind how to do something. For example, if I read a set of instructions, I generally fully understand it, but I can't figure out how to take the instructions on board and use them. Does that make sense? I've also noticed lately that I am really struggling to read, so much so that I keep skipping lines when reading because it's just going straight over my head. Then there is filling out forms, I can't seem to take the question and answer it, even though I know it. It's hard to explain.

I generally don't struggle much with speech, except a few words that I can't grasp/remember how is said. That brings me to my memory, my memory is really poor lately. I don't know if that's relevant?

I don't get much pain. Except every now and then I get an awful pain in my right shoulder, it rarely lasts more than 30 minutes, but it has been known to make me cry. It then suddenly goes. Again, I've no idea if that's any symptom of MS.

My eyes are getting progressively more blurry. I've recently been given glasses, but I feel like my eyes have deteriorated since I got the glasses 6 months ago.

I get the most awful feeling of bugs crawling all over my skin sometimes, it is truly horrible.

I've been diagnosed with vertigo because I often get dizzy.

I feel sick most days. It is something I just accept and, frankly, I'm pretty used to it. Though when I think about it, it can't be normal to feel nauseous daily, right?

I get carpal tunnel now and then.

I have quite a bad tremor.

On my back I have a spot about the size of my hand that tingles on and off through the day.

I'm just reeling off some symptoms I've got with not really any structure to what I'm saying, but if anybody has any advise I'd very much appreciate it.

Sorry for the higgledy piggledy nature of my post, I'm a tired mummy of two toddlers and a baby

[lyndacarol]

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Cheekster09.

Since you asked for any advice, I suggest that your GP or internist rule out the possibility of a B12 deficiency. MS is a diagnosis of exclusion, after other more likely causes of your symptoms have been ruled out. All your symptoms, from neurological issues to tremors and tingly spots on your back are consistent with a B12 deficiency, which is the first possible cause of your symptoms that should be excluded.

Any person at any age can develop a B12 deficiency; pregnancy is especially draining of B12 stores in the mother's body. And the B12 in maternity vitamins is not adequate to overcome a deficiency; in fact the high folic acid level in maternity vitamins disguises a B12 deficiency (skewing blood test results and making them unreliable) and actually makes neurological symptoms worse.

Even the University of Chicago suggests testing in this area first of all when investigating peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling of the extremities):

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchic ... #bloodtest\

I urge you to read the book, Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally M. Pacholok, RN, BSN, and Dr. Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O. (This may be available at your library.):
http://b12awareness.org/could-it-be-b12 ... diagnoses/

[Cheekster09]

Thank you, I will certainly look in to that and I appreciate your reply very much.

I've actually noticed that the tingling in my back is only when I look down (chin on my chest position), I'm not sure whether that's relevant or not.

Thank you again

[jimmylegs]

welcome c, fyi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lhermitte's_sign

also fyi there are all kinds of nutrients to look at carefully with ms. b12 is the tip of the iceberg.

[Cheekster09]

I had an X-ray and I'm having blood tests done, hopefully I will then find out what the issue is.

Thank you

[ElliotB]

Go see a neurologist specializing in MS.

[Cheekster09]

I had my blood checked (full mot type) and all is normal. My X-ray also came back normal. The doctor says anything neurological is unlikely, so she's sending me to physiotherapy for the numb/tingling sensation is my back.

[jimmylegs]

hi i looked up MOT test and found this:
http://www.pulsescreening.co.uk/general.html

is there an online resource you can link to that would show which blood tests you had done? alternatively, do you have a copy of your results? normal is a powerfully misleading result, unfortunately.. possibly interesting related reading: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... 24214.html

[Cheekster09]

Sorry, my use of 'MOT' was purely because my blood was tested for a variety of things. I can't remember them, the ones I do remember is anaemia, thyroid, diabetes, vitamin b12, vitamin d, liver function, kidney function, folic acid and a few others I believe, but I can't fully remember.

[jimmylegs]

ok if you are interested, the panel of nutrients that are subpar in ms patients goes well beyond vit b12 and vit d3. those are the two that have hit the 'mainstream' to any degree. the rest are still lurking in the research but still have a long history in the alternative treatment world. the rest of the b complex, vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, these are just a few to consider. if not via blood tests, via examination of diet and lifestyle in order to assess whether you are meeting recommended daily amounts. there's a big gap in the education of medical professionals where nutrition is concerned. hopefully that particular tide, which seems to be turning, will continue to do so in coming decades