Sudden onset of MS type symptoms after long haul flight

[jomaz]

Hi all and thanks for taking the time to read
I'm a 47 year old male with a degree of medical knowledge and I've recently developed a set of symptoms that I've realised are 'MS' like. I'd love for anyone to make comments with any thoughts they might have.

ONSET : post long haul flight

INITIAL SYMPTOMS : 'Spacey' head feels a bit like a hang over.
Previous to flight I'd had a couple of months of a watery right eye
Balance a bit off, feels like my brain lags my actual movements
Feels like my brain and cranium are being compressed and not allowed to move
Irritable
changing pattern, less bad in AM, mid to late PM wave comes over me of fatigue and disconnection, eases late evening.
Aching right eye, both eyes become blood shot
Some nausea with hyper-salivation
Feeling of dehydration (dry mouth)

DEVELOPING SYMPTOMS OVER 2 WEEKS :

2 weeks after onset, left face went tingley and numb which it is now still doing on and off but seems to ease at night
Various dull and sharp pains on my left side, fleeting and short lived in various locations.

HISTORY : Uncle died from MS 40ish years ago

Off to doctor this PM to begin diagnostic trail... !

MS ? Intracranial Hypertension ?
Feeling scared and annoyed !
I'd really appreciate thoughts from anyone !

Jomaz

[jimmylegs]

hi j and welcome to TiMS.

this reply is likely going to be super unsatisfying but really, it's wait for the tests as far as 'what it could be' is concerned :S too many variables.

if you're at all into self care there are things you can do to assess current status outside the doc's office and see whether you might benefit from any changes that could help set you apart from your status quo ms patient, at least. this kind of approach, with a couple of potential exceptions, is highly unlikely be a component of your mainstream clinical deal at the doc's/specialist's offices. complementary instead, and can't hurt.

if you're not the type to go for that idea, then at least there are many here who can fill you in on what to expect process-wise as you go through the early scary/annoying/frustrating high question mark phase! lots of support around.

[jomaz]

Hi Jimmylegs,
Thanks ever so for your quick response...
I actually work in complimentary medicine as an osteopath (english) so I am very open to all avenues, both allopathic and complimentary. I'm particularly interested in the venous drainage connection and of course dietary stuff.
thanks again !
Cheers
J

[ElliotB]

You need to seek the assistance of professionals who have years of training to give you the best(and hopefully correct) answers/advise based on testing they will do.

[jimmylegs]

no problem jomaz!

when i was where you are at, i assembled a health care team which consisted of family doc, neuro, naturopath, dietitian, physiotherapist, psychologist, eventually also one or two helpful pharmacists, and after i figured out what this url was in my in box (at first i thought it was some kind of weird philosophy thing.. 'this'-isms), this forum ;) luckily i was a student at the time (and am again; glutton for punishment) and had an excellent health insurance plan.

so, there are many different ideas to choose from as you pursue the mainstream plus whichever specialists you can rally to your own cause. in the self-care department, my thing is helping folks try to make sure that they do not match the nutritional profile of an ms patient but rather, a 'healthy control'. there's a lot to it and for some it can be challenging to get certain lab done. regardless of access to tests, anyone can assess their own diet and if that notion appeals, the first step would be a solid diet diary including food, fluids, supplements, meds, and any potential 'antinutrients' in the mix. three days, two when out at work and one when staying home, are a good starting point. it isn't much, but it can be telling! and gives you something to work on while doing all the waiting for appointments, tests, results and so on!

[Scott1]

Hi,

If you think there is a component that is hypertension, what is your blood pressure?

Regards,

[jomaz]

Hi again Jimmylegs,

Thanks for all that!
I'll start my research on the lifestyle front and see what changes I can make
J

[jomaz]

Hi ElliotB
Thanks for your replies...
My BP is a bit changeable but not especially high... hovering around 138/75
I just feel I'm awaiting an appointment with a neurologist to begin the Dxx process..
Cheers
J

[ElliotB]

Make sure you see a Neurologist that specializes in MS. There is a HUGE difference.

Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon!

[jimmylegs]

no probs once you have three days of info, consider checking back in! there are a few interesting ways to analyze the data collected.

Hi again Jimmylegs,

Thanks for all that!
I'll start my research on the lifestyle front and see what changes I can make
J

[jomaz]

Hi again Jimmylegs and anyone else who wants to comment.
Well, I had my appointment with a neurologist and, unsurprisingly all the rudimentary tests were -ve and he stated that he didn't think I had MS... and that I had picked a respiratory bug on the plane and it was mixed with Jet Lag. No referral for MRI
I decided to change my already pretty good diet to going meat and dairy free (still eating fish). I've put my self on 10,000 IU of vit D with Vit K. Krill oil, multi B, Magnesium.
Within a couple of days of the new regime I felt improved in that I had 3 'good' days in row...the first for 5 weeks... Just as I was hoping that I'd nailed it...the week end came and I'm back to vertigo type feelings and nausea... Booooo!
Anyway....I was wondering if you had a list or a link to a list of tests that should be done on dietary front.
I do appreciate your time, so many many thanks
J

[Scott1]

Hi,

As your first symptom came after a long haul flight, you mention vertigo and you had a watery eye perhaps you should consider an infection that affects balance and orientation. eg http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance ... rders.aspx

It sounds like you are worried about a familial connection with MS but I think, in your case, it is a remote possibility. There are many other things to consider first.

Regards,

[jimmylegs]

hey there, not a detailed list per se. i took a lot of stuff down a couple yrs ago, but it's all still there in bits and pieces.

this semi list is still kicking around
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/chronic-c ... 17004.html

rereading i would think it smart to add serum ferritin, serum copper, and serum uric acid. especially given that you're doing first investigations.

and to clarify (although probably not needed at this stage of the game) that's serum 25(OH)d3

going back to the diet diary could get you a useful headstart - food, fluids, supplements, meds, and any other dx or family history is useful info