Symptoms

[IamMel]

I have been struggling for the past couple of years to make a connection with various symptoms I have been having. It has been suggested that I see a neurologist to be evaluated for several things including MS. The more I read, the more concerned I am that MS could be the cause. Just wondering if these symptoms sound similar to anyone else:
*daily headaches (sometimes stabbing sensation behind my eyes)
*episodes of confusion/dizziness
*fatigue
*forgetfulness
*depression/anxiety
*feeling "different" (personality-wise...not sure how to explain this....mood lability, maybe?)
*numbness in patches on my back and right side of abdomen
*facial/scalp numbness/tingling
* intermittent and unexplained stabbing pains in limbs
*unusual pulsing sensations in my legs after exercise
*insomnia

I am a grad student and don't have health insurance, so it's difficult for me to get the care I need. As of my last visit, one of the doctors told me it is likely just atypical migraines. It doesn't make sense to me. I have had a negative CT scan but no MRIs or other testing. Thoughts?

[Okasan]

Have you had your B12 tested? It is an inexpensive test and could cause all of those symptoms and if this is what is causing your symptoms the sooner you know the better as it is treatable.

[LR1234]

I would get checked for sticky or thickened blood x Your symptoms sound a lot like mine (I have been diagnosed with MS however it has recently come to light that my blood is too thick too)

[IamMel]

I have not had a check of my B12 levels, but that is likely something I can do soon. I know that it was something they checked on my mom, who has been struggling with rheumatoid arthritis and recently had similar symptoms to mine. I was checked for indicators of RA a few years ago when I had an episode similar to (but not as severe) as what I'm dealing with now that did not indicate RA. There is a health mission in town that can sometimes procure neuro-consults and MRIs for no cost, so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get a work-up soon, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with these symptoms on a daily basis. Thanks for your in-put!

[shaight]

check for lyme.

[bartman]

Check for Lyme and bartonella.

[bartman]

check dr burrascanos guidelines on google

[lyndacarol]

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Mel. Your list of symptoms could be MS or any of several other conditions. MRIs are very expensive for someone without insurance, but are commonly used for diagnosis today. YEARS ago before other methods were available, doctors put a person suspected of having MS into a warm bath. If these symptoms temporarily worsened, the diagnosis was made. You might try this experiment on your own. Heat – summer days in the sun, hot showers, even strenuous exercise – is usually avoided by people with MS because of this temporary worsening. Once the body is cooled down, symptoms return to normal.

Routinely, I offer these suggestions to new members here: I hope you have a compassionate PCP, GP, or internist with whom you feel comfortable and can work together – can a doctor at the student health center order blood tests for you… for liver function? Cortisol? A fasting insulin test? Vitamin D3? Please request copies of your test results; keep your own file at home of these results.

My best to you.

[IamMel]

I am able to have blood tests ordered through the student health center and will go that route if necessary. The local health mission helped me get my CT scan at no charge, and if they deem it necessary can most likely help me out with an MRI as well. As for the heat sensitivity piece, I recently started taking heated yoga (they heat the room to about 90-95 degress) classes hoping it would help me feel better and have found that instead of feeling relaxed and refreshed like I used to after yoga, I actually feel worse. I sat down and made a list of my symptoms over the past two years that I am taking to the mission for an appt tomorrow. Hopefully they will see that what is going on is more than atypical migraines and help me get more testing done. Hopefully it is something as simple as a vitamin deficiency! I'm hoping to finally have someone not dismiss my symptoms as stemming from anxiety alone. Thanks for your posts

[alotlikepretzel]

I don't have any answers for you, because I'm in the same boat. But man oh man, I'm sick of people telling me that my symptoms are "just anxiety" or that I "probably pinched a nerve". I know what a panic attack and a pinched nerve feel like. This is different!

I hope you are able to get some affordable care through school. I have a friend who is a grad student. His school offers some type of health insurance. I'm not sure if all schools do, but it's worth looking into. My friend actually has Cushing's (pituitary tumor). He has had the tumor removed twice on school health insurance. He must get decent coverage!

Good luck to you.

[IamMel]

A visit to the neurologist it is! Hopefully it will be the beginning of getting some answers

[IamMel]

I had my visit with the neurologist today. I took in my list of symptoms and did my best to discuss all of them, although it was difficult to get my points across. After hearing my symptoms and doing a brief neuro exam that was normal, I was told," You're a very healthy woman. You've got a bunch of unrelated sypmtoms and I think you are just anxious. You don't need any further testing." I left in tears. I am so frustrated! I'm starting over with a general practitioner on Monday. I still don't have insurance, so I'm going to pay out of pocket. I at least want to be taken seriously, and that wan't happening at the "free clinic."

[IamMel]

*wasn't

[LR1234]

I went through all that BS for 14 years........2 years ago all tests that were normal became positive for MS (I had like 14 MRI's 3 LP's, EMG's over the years) All those neuros ate their words.
I do not have an anxiety problem, I am not depressed, and I do not have some conversion disorder!!

[jimmylegs]

other than the standard iron for fatigue, you may want to look at magnesium, mel. most of your symptoms point right to it.

there are likely multiple research studies for each symptom on your list - try this:

1) go to scholar.google.com
2) uncheck 'patents' to exclude those from search results,
3) enter magnesium in the search field, plus one of your symptoms, eg magnesium fatigue, and check out what comes up.
4) repeat the search for each other symptom

also check out these links

http://www.ctds.info/5_13_magnesium.html
http://www.ctds.info/magnesium.html
http://www.mgwater.com/

if you can afford to get a magnesium test ensure serum levels are AT LEAST 0.90 mmol/L. (normal range is far too wide at 0.70-1.10 mmol/L)

lots of info available on magnesium rich foods, other sources eg epsom salt baths, best supplement forms for absorption, etc etc etc.

more info on magnesium (and other nutrients) in ms patients
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/regimens- ... tml#p15460

hth