Mostly Physical Symptoms Not So Much Neurological

[richoette]

I've been experiencing chronic pain since I was about 12. I was diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters disease, which I believe to have been a misdiagnosis. I am now 19 and have pain in almost every joint in my body (knees, elbows, fingers, etc.) as well as a weak, stiff, sore back accompanied by sharp pains/pinched nerves. The most recent new pain I've been experiencing is chest pain. First, sharp pains in the area of my heart and now right down the middle when I open my arms up or to the touch. I went to the doctor btw. He did an AKG/MRI and didn't see anything wrong with my heart.

For all of this time, I never thought that I had MS, but like a month ago I Googled "deep bone aches" because I've been dealing with those for a while now, and I got nothing but MS related forum post links. Since then, I've been connecting the dots between a lot of weird symptoms I've had over the years (inconsistently) like severe vertigo for a period of time, sudden loss of balance, the sensation of cold strips on my legs, feeling like things are crawling on me in bed, muscle twitching (rapid eardrum vibration most recently), and itches that I can't seem to scratch. I've also been dealing with what I thought was aquagenic urticaria (a water allergy). My skin starts burning/itching without any actually bumps after a shower, exercise, sweating, etc, but now I am thinking it is MS related.

The biggest thing about my pain is that is very inconsistent on its own with varying degrees of intensity, but with any sort of exercise, it gets bad every single time. For example, I played a 25 minute full court basketball today, only logging in like 8 or 9 minutes max of playtime, and my back is killing me now. It feels very weak. I stretched it before and after I played and still when I first sat down and got back up, I legitimately could not walk because of the shooting back pain I got from putting pressure on my leg. This also happens after a work shift which involves relatively light labor. Even with continued core exercises, I'm still experiencing weak muscles. As of now, I mostly smoke marijuana to deal with the pain at night before bed. Can't any other time because I am a student and need to focus.

A big giveaway is my fatigue. I also suffer from depression which can definitely lower my energy levels, but that is usually accompanied by feelings of depression/sadness. What I usually experience is a sudden, complete drop off in energy. e.g. I wake up, eat breakfast, go to pick up my mail, and then suddenly I feel like I need to lay down because of how tired I am.

I've been doing a lot of research, and from my observations, these symptoms seem to match up, but I am not experiencing some of the more severe direct neurological happenings like numbness, tingling, tremors, or "attacks" (pain comes and goes, but is inconsistent...not "attack"-like). I also haven't really been able to monitor if they are in fact related to heat (maybe it's the heat from the exercise that is causing the pain afterwards?) because I just started looking into things.

There are tons of other things, but I don't feel like listing them on here. I just feel like these sensations/pains all can't just be unrelated and merely coincidence, especially for how long they've been going on. I have an initial appointment with my doctor next week to possibly schedule an MRI and/or get a referral to see a neurologist. I'm just looking to hear from some people on here to see what you all think. Am I out of my mind? Is it reasonable to assume that I have MS? If it's not MS, it has to be some type of pain syndrome. Am I probably just in the really early stages of the disease?

[lyndacarol]

I've been experiencing chronic pain since I was about 12. I was diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters disease, which I believe to have been a misdiagnosis. I am now 19 and have pain in almost every joint in my body (knees, elbows, fingers, etc.) as well as a weak, stiff, sore back accompanied by sharp pains/pinched nerves. The most recent new pain I've been experiencing is chest pain. First, sharp pains in the area of my heart and now right down the middle when I open my arms up or to the touch. I went to the doctor btw. He did an AKG/MRI and didn't see anything wrong with my heart.

For all of this time, I never thought that I had MS, but like a month ago I Googled "deep bone aches" because I've been dealing with those for a while now, and I got nothing but MS related forum post links. Since then, I've been connecting the dots between a lot of weird symptoms I've had over the years (inconsistently) like severe vertigo for a period of time, sudden loss of balance, the sensation of cold strips on my legs, feeling like things are crawling on me in bed, muscle twitching (rapid most vibration recently), and itches that I can't seem to scratch. I've also been dealing with what I thought was aquagenic urticaria (a water allergy). My skin starts burning/itching without any actually bumps after a shower, exercise, sweating, etc, but now I am thinking it is MS related.

The biggest thing about my pain is that is very inconsistent on its own with varying degrees of intensity, but with any sort of exercise, it gets bad every single time. For example, I played a 25 minute full court basketball today, only logging in like 8 or 9 minutes max of playtime, and my back is killing me now. It feels very weak. I stretched it before and after I played and still when I first sat down and got back up, I legitimately could not walk because of the shooting back pain I got from putting pressure on my leg. This also happens after a work shift which involves relatively light labor. Even with continued core exercises, I'm still experiencing weak muscles. As of now, I mostly smoke marijuana to deal with the pain at night before bed. Can't any other time because I am a student and need to focus.

A big giveaway is my fatigue. I also suffer from depression which can definitely lower my energy levels, but that is usually accompanied by feelings of depression/sadness. What I usually experience is a sudden, complete drop off in energy. e.g. I wake up, eat breakfast, go to pick up my mail, and then suddenly I feel like I need to lay down because of how tired I am.

I've been doing a lot of research, and from my observations, these symptoms seem to match up, but I am not experiencing some of the more severe direct neurological happenings like numbness, tingling, tremors, or "attacks" (pain comes and goes, but is inconsistent...not "attack"-like). I also haven't really been able to monitor if they are in fact related to heat (maybe it's the heat from the exercise that is causing the pain afterwards?) because I just started looking into things.

There are tons of other things, but I don't feel like listing them on here. I just feel like these sensations/pains all can't just be unrelated and merely coincidence, especially for how long they've been going on. I have an initial appointment with my doctor next week to possibly schedule an MRI and/or get a referral to see a neurologist. I'm just looking to hear from some people on here to see what you all think. Am I out of my mind? Is it reasonable to assume that I have MS? If it's not MS, it has to be some type of pain syndrome. Am I probably just in the really early stages of the disease?

Welcome to ThisIsMS, richoette. Your symptoms are common to many conditions. MS is just one possibility; and the other likely possibilities must be ruled out first before MS can be considered – there are tests for the other possibilities; there is no definitive test to prove or rule out MS.

In my opinion (I have no medical background), I suggest you ask your doctor at next week's appointment to order the vitamin D test (a.k.a. 25-hydroxy D test) for you, if you have not had this done recently. Request your own copy of any test results – it is important to have the actual number results.

The vitamin D blood test is relatively inexpensive ($50-$70, which is usually covered by insurance) – it costs a LOT less than MRIs and other neurological testing!

It has been estimated that more than 70% of the US population is deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed by every cell in the body and a deficiency/insufficiency can cause symptoms in any body system – joint/muscle pain, loss of balance, weakness, neurological sensations, depression, fatigue, and cognitive problems.

In my opinion, you are NOT out of your mind! Make a written list of your symptoms, take them to your doctor's appointment, and discuss your list there. In addition to a vitamin D test, request vitamin B12 testing, since a B12 deficiency could also cause your symptoms. Do not take supplements before these vitamin tests, as doing so will skew the test results.

[NHE]

There are tons of other things, but I don't feel like listing them on here. I just feel like these sensations/pains all can't just be unrelated and merely coincidence, especially for how long they've been going on. I have an initial appointment with my doctor next week to possibly schedule an MRI and/or get a referral to see a neurologist. I'm just looking to hear from some people on here to see what you all think. Am I out of my mind? Is it reasonable to assume that I have MS? If it's not MS, it has to be some type of pain syndrome. Am I probably just in the really early stages of the disease?

No, I don't think you're out of your mind. However, while MS is a highly variable condition, your symptoms don't sound like the typical MS patient. I would also like to second LyndaCarol's recommendation for testing for vitamin B12 deficiency. Being deficient in B12 can cause a plethora of neurological symptoms that can mimic MS and several other conditions. I highly recommend the book "Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnosis" by Sally Pacholok and Jeffrey Stuart as a reference.

http://www.amazon.com/Could-Be-B12-Epid ... 1884995691

[Scott1]

Hi,

I must say I don't think much of your doctors choice of tests if you described to him what you described to us. What other tests have had?

Regards,

[lyndacarol]

I Googled "deep bone aches" because I've been dealing with those for a while now, and I got nothing but MS related forum post links. Since then, I've been connecting the dots between a lot of weird symptoms I've had over the years (inconsistently) like severe vertigo for a period of time, sudden loss of balance, the sensation of cold strips on my legs, feeling like things are crawling on me in bed, muscle twitching (rapid eardrum vibration most recently), and itches that I can't seem to scratch. I've also been dealing with what I thought was aquagenic urticaria (a water allergy). My skin starts burning/itching without any actually bumps after a shower, exercise, sweating, etc, but now I am thinking it is MS related.

The biggest thing about my pain is that is very inconsistent on its own with varying degrees of intensity, but with any sort of exercise, it gets bad every single time. For example, I played a 25 minute full court basketball today, only logging in like 8 or 9 minutes max of playtime, and my back is killing me now. It feels very weak. I stretched it before and after I played and still when I first sat down and got back up, I legitimately could not walk because of the shooting back pain I got from putting pressure on my leg. This also happens after a work shift which involves relatively light labor. Even with continued core exercises, I'm still experiencing weak muscles. As of now, I mostly smoke marijuana to deal with the pain at night before bed. Can't any other time because I am a student and need to focus.

"Sweating" (especially a sweaty head) is almost always mentioned as a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Also, it is well-documented that there is a causal relationship between osteopenia/osteoporosis/osteomalacia (which is "deep bone aches"). The following article deals with the fact that vitamin D deficiency has been associated with reduced balance, instability, weaker quadriceps, impaired postural stability (Could this be your muscle weakness, "even with continued core exercises"?) and slower reaction times:

Effects of vitamin D on Muscle Function and Performance: A Review of Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3513873/

If your doctor has not ordered a vitamin D blood test, I strongly urge you to request one.

[richoette]

Dear Antonio, slight anemia but wait to see other results

85025 - CBCs
Test Name Result Flag(s) Reference Range Reported Date Footnote
*WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNTs 4.9 3.9-9.9 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*RED BLOOD CELL COUNTs 4.35 4.30-5.90 M/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*HEMOGLOBINs 13.1 L 13.6-17.2 g/dL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*HEMATOCRITs 39.5 L 40.0-52.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*MCVs 91 80-97 um3 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*MCHs 30.1 27.0-33.0 pg 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*MCHCs 33.2 32.0-36.0 g/dL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*RDW-CV 12.9 11.0-15.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*RDW-SD 42.1 35.1-43.9 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*PLATELET COUNTs 260 150-450 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*MPVs 9.6 7.0-11.0 um3 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*NEUTROPHILS%s 62.9 50.0-80.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*LYMPHOCYTES%s 23.7 L 25.0-50.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*MONOCYTES%s 11.8 H 2.0-10.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*EOSINOPHILS%s 1.4 0.0-5.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*BASOPHILS%s 0.2 0.0-2.0 % 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*NEUTROPHILS#s 3.08 2.00-8.00 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*LYMPHOCYTES#s 1.16 1.00-5.00 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*MONOCYTES#s 0.58 0.00-1.00 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*EOSINOPHILS#s 0.07 0.00-0.40 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS
*#BASOPHILS#s 0.01 0.00-0.20 K/uL 4/19/2016 11:19 AM SHS


85651 - ESR
Test Name Result Flag(s) Reference Range Reported Date Footnote
ESR 4 0-15 mm/Hr 4/19/2016 12:23 PM SHS


I was also diagnosed with severe pleurisy (which is apparently consistent with the MS "hug"). In the meantime, I'm on antibiotics. And he doctor just referred me to a PMR (cross between an orthopedic specialist and a neurologist?). I have an appointment next month. They planned for a CT Scan and an MRI. I'm also getting X-Rays tomorrow. Also, sorry if it's hard to read. Monocytes, Lymphocytes, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are all a bit off...

[Scott1]

Hi,

The low hemoglobin could be indicative an infection and the high monocytes could be tied up with that. If you have severe pleurisy then antibiotics might be the right thing but I would suggest the try to find out what it is. Look for mycoplasma Pn and chlamydia Pn (ie walking pneumonia) as a start. They can both be treated. Mycoplasmas, in particular can wreak havoc.

Regards,

[richoette]

Hi,

The low hemoglobin could be indicative an infection and the high monocytes could be tied up with that. If you have severe pleurisy then antibiotics might be the right thing but I would suggest the try to find out what it is. Look for mycoplasma Pn and chlamydia Pn (ie walking pneumonia) as a start. They can both be treated. Mycoplasmas, in particular can wreak havoc.

Regards,

"You are not that anemic so that is not what is causing the symptoms. Fatigue and tired would happen around 9-11. Also, it is not iron deficiency but could be from chronic disease. Which is the pain you have had for 7 years. Mycoplasma usually does not affect the body as much and white count low so no obvious infection." - Doctor

[Scott1]

Hi,

Then maybe a test wouldn't hurt. How can you have a chronic disease for 7 years, with pain and be on antibiotics to conclude there is no infection. If it is not obvious then why give you antibiotics? If it is chronic then why not test for alternatives. I think you are dealing with a bureaucrat.

http://www.healthline.com/health/mycopl ... #Overview1

Regards,

[richoette]

Dear Antonio: Your lab results show no significant abnormalities

927 - VITAMIN B12
Order Comment:
Testing performed at: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS-WEST HILLS, 8401 FALLBROOK AVENUE, WEST HILLS, CA, 91304-3226, Laboratory Director: ENRIQUE TERRAZAS,MD
Test Name Result Flag(s) Reference Range Reported Date Footnote
VITAMIN B12 584 200-1100 pg/mL 4/25/2016 9:53 AM QUEST

QUEST Test Performed By Quest Laboratory ()

*** END OF FINAL LAB REPORT ***

[ElliotB]

What kind of diet are you following? Are you gluten free?

[richoette]

What kind of diet are you following? Are you gluten free?

No, but funny that you mention that because I just threw out Celiac disease to my doctor. I'm expecting to hear back from him in the morning to see what he thinks.

[ElliotB]

Going gluten free makes a lot of sense for you, whether your have Celiac disease or not. I would start immediately.

What kind of diet are you following?