New to TIMS

[twokids]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site. I will apologize in advance as I know this will be long. I actually have not been officially diagnosed with MS, but have had symptoms on and off for about 8 years. I am 36 years old and have two children ages 6 and 7. I guess I joined the group after reading many of the different forum posts and hope that you all can grant me some insight.

My very first symptom was a "crawlie" feeling on the tip of my nose like there was a spider crawling on it. I would constantly try to "wipe it away". It lasted for about a week and then stopped. At that point my gp asked if anyone in my family had MS. That was the first time I had heard the term. I went home hopped on the internet, got scared by what I read, and didn't look on the internet again until I started having more symptoms. My list of symptoms really in order of appearance is: bad headaches when I was prenant throughout entire pregnancy, visual disturbances: eyes not clear(not completely blurry, but not like I have 20/20 vision, vision color (when I close my right eye my left eye has a more green shade and when I close my left eye my right eye has amore red shade(or normal maybe), twitching by my eye(minor), jerking by my eye(major), tingling in my hands and feet(both at the same time), slightly numbness in my hands and feet, not like I can't feel anything, but like I am not feeling what I should although it just feels strange(for example, I have to wear something on my feet in our house because I can't stand the way my feet feel on our carpet.), about 6 years ago I had a spasm in my neck where I could not swallow (I was drooling for about 20 minutes. . . thank goodness that has not returned), stabbing feeling (like someone is stabbing me with a knife) in my pubic bone, itching on my stomach and chest where I scratch and scratch until I have red marks all over(seems to be worse in the winter), I have little twitches/spasms in my muscles in both legs and both arms at various times, but right now it is the worst it has ever been, my hands and feet feel very cold often, difficulty taking deep breaths, I have tingling in my upper back, some dizziness/off balance issues, had to go to the bathroom about 20 times a day, and one bought of fatigue(for about a week) so great that I could barely make it through my work day(teacher)and when I got home I had to put in a movie and had my kids lay next to me so I could sleep. . . I literally could barely keep my eyes open). All of these symptoms come and go, except that I truly do not know what "normal" feels like anymore. The way I explain it to my husband is that I feel hung over every day. My newest set of symptoms that have been here for about a week is that I have had muscle weakness in both legs and both arms, fingers not working(as coordinated) as they used to be, as well as the breathing difficulties are keeping me up at night. That really worries me as I have read that sounds more like ALS, which would be worse than MS. I am on the internet a lot trying to figure out what is wrong with me which is where I found this site, which is good, but bad because I tend to think the worst so I am prepared. I went to my GP about this latest set of symptoms and she wants me to have some respiratory testing and a sleep study done. I will be making an appointment with my neuro Monday to talk to him about all of this. In the past I have seen three different neurologists, have had 3 Brain/Cervical MRI's, but not my complete spine and nothing has ever showed up. My current neuro did Evoked Potential tests and lots of blood work about 5 years ago and said he notices something is brewing and he suspects it is MS. I tried to have an LP done but I was poked three times and the guy doing it could not get what he needed(whatever that means) so he stopped. I have seen an opthamologist about the eye stuff and nothing has shown up. Most recently I have started seeing a chiropractor who is also "certified" in alternative therapies such as food allergens as a cause for people feeling abnormal. I am nervous, anxious, and frustrated.

I am sorry to have made this so long. I would appreciate any comments to my post whether it be if you have some of the symptoms or any advice you may have. I'm really beginning to feel at a loss of what to do.

Thank you

[lyndacarol]

Dear twokids, since you stated that you are seeking "any advice," I will offer my thoughts here.

If you go to a neurologist, he will find "neurological" problems. If you go to an eye doctor,... eye problems. To a surgeon,... a problem that requires surgery. I suggest you begin with your GP or internist and establish your starting point with a thorough physical examination and blood tests checking insulin levels (not just glucose), cortisol levels, thyroid hormone levels, etc.

Your symptoms can be attributed to many causes, including MS. It's time to rule out some; start with the easiest tests first.

You have found friends at this website who wish the best to you and who will try to answer your questions as best we can from our experience. Welcome, twokids.