Do I have MS?

[msunsure]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum but very worried. I should preface this by saying I am definitely a significant hypochondriac, to the point where it is ruining or severely affecting my life, and am seeking treatment for that. I was 100% convinced I had a deadly brain tumor 1-2 months ago. I had a brain MRI w about 3 weeks ago, which was 100% clear. I have not had a spinal MRI or LP.

I had a strange viral syndrome about a month ago that lasted for about 3-4 weeks and, in fact, have had several on-and-off-again weird viral syndromes/symptoms for the past 5 months.

2 weeks ago, after the virus subsided:

- I developed a twitch in my right foot, including entire toes moving. Clearly, this concerned me as ALS can start with those symptoms.
- Soon thereafter my calves and (less so) arms and even back and buttocks started twitching dozens or hundreds of times per minute off and on
- I also developed pins and needles, hot and cold sensations, etc. bilaterally with no apparent set pattern
- The paresthesias were off and on, usually not lasting more than an hour or two and not being extremely intense
- I also seemed to have partial numbness that migrated throughout my body.
- I developed what feels like a mostly "internal" tremor of the legs, exacerbated by exercise it seemed. The tremor was/is more felt than seen.

Now:
- The whole-body twitches are much rarer, coming and going every couple days, with the stubborn exception of the originally twitching right foot.
- The same twitchy right foot/toes also appear to have mild weakness. My body favors leaning on the back part of the foot as opposed to placing weight on the front part as my other, non-twitchy foot does. (Please don't mention ALS--I am only asking about MS here and do not want anxiety triggered.)
- The same foot seems to be favoring the back part of the foot, perhaps due to weakness of the toes, meaning excessive/uneven stress is being placed on the back part of the foot—so now I have foot pain/aches in tht foot
- The leg tremors have improved about 60-80% depending on the time of day.
- However, I have developed a very odd sensation where the bed seems to SHAKE when I'm lying in it (another kind of tremor?). This comes and goes.
- The paresthesias disappeared for the last 2-4 days before re-emerging tonight (they seem to slightly worsen at night).
- The other concerning symptom is a possible "MS hug" last night. I was lying in bed and when I got up to use the bathroom, I felt a very significant pressure around the left side of my pecs, chest, shoulders, and neck. This may also be related to a separate muscle/nerve issue in my left shoulder but I had NEVER had that specific symptom before.
- The possible "MS hug" was 100% gone 3 hours later when I woke up.
- My eyelid in my left eye has always been a tad droopy, but this has seemed to have "flare-ups" and get worse in the past week. Whether or not related, I don't know. Could be anxiety/fatigue/stress/poor sleep.

-------

Sorry for the long post and thank you so much for reading all this. I really just want to get to the bottom of this.

My neurologist at last exam a week ago does not believe it is MS. She thinks it is anxiety or possibly peripheral neuropathy due to hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, or something similar, or POSSIBLY benign fasciculation syndrome. She did not seem concerned but said we could do an EMG or spinal MRI mostly for my peace of mind.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[ElliotB]

Is the neurologist you saw a MS Specialist? If not, seek out one that is.

[lyndacarol]

My neurologist at last exam a week ago does not believe it is MS. She thinks it is anxiety or possibly peripheral neuropathy due to hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, or something similar, or POSSIBLY benign fasciculation syndrome. She did not seem concerned but said we could do an EMG or spinal MRI mostly for my peace of mind.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, msunsure.

My thoughts?… If your neurologist thinks your symptoms are due to hypothyroidism or vitamin D deficiency, I assume she has ordered the appropriate tests for these conditions. For a possible vitamin D deficiency, this would be the 25-hydroxy D test. Please compare your actual number results with the range suggested by GrassrootsHealth (http://www.GrassrootsHealth.net)

[NHE]

Sorry for the long post and thank you so much for reading all this. I really just want to get to the bottom of this.

My neurologist at last exam a week ago does not believe it is MS. She thinks it is anxiety or possibly peripheral neuropathy due to hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, or something similar, or POSSIBLY benign fasciculation syndrome. She did not seem concerned but said we could do an EMG or spinal MRI mostly for my peace of mind.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I would make sure that you get tested for a vitamin B12 deficiency to check that as a possibility before considering MS as a diagnosis. For anyone with neurological symptoms, B12 levels should be 600-1000 pg/mL. Red blood cell (RBC) folate, homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) should also be tested.

Please see the following discussion topic for further information.
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/natural-a ... 24857.html