This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I had an eye test a few days ago and the optician noticed that my eyes sometimes flicker from side to side. They've done it for about 6 months but it's becoming more frequent and noticeable to others. I've also been having some dizzy spells, and my memory is awful lately. (I'm 37 with 3 kids so put it down it being busy). I've also noticed that a problem with my fingers. I struggle to pick up small items from the floor, using my fingertips, my thumbs feel odd, sort of lazy? (In fact, my fingers and thumbs both feel odd occasionally, hard to describe but that feeling when you've been on an exercise bike and try to stand up straight after? Weak and wobbly. They feel shaky but are not always visibly shaking) and I can't always make my thumb touch my fingertips. It's intermittent but I'm noticing it more often lately. No other health problems, non smoker, non drinker, weight fine and no other meds. I found out that the eye thing is called nystagmus and when I tapped it into google, along with thumb problems, the first 8 results were linked to MS. I'm not expecting a diagnosis on here, just wondering if anyone else had similar symptoms? Am I being neurotic and should I step away from google or could it just be stress linked?

hey there there are a few potential reasons for nystagmus - ms is not the only cause. also i suspect there are all kinds of ms patients *without* nystagmus so i wouldn't place too much stock in that link.

can you tell us anything more about diet and lifestyle? dietary preferences? any supplements? over the counter semi-meds? activity levels? age of and yrs between kids? any family history that could be a factor?

Pretty healthy diet, plenty of fruit and veg - not much meat or processed foods but lots of fish, rice, nuts etc - I was assessed a few years ago for coeliac but it came back inconclusive. I take a daily multivitamin with iron etc, just a basic well-woman one, have done for a while. Kids are 17, 15 and 3, I'm pretty active. Used to go to the gym but haven't had time lately, sleep is not too bad. I wake up suddenly during the night and it can take a while to get back to sleep. No other health problems, BMI is 22, I drink plenty of water during the day. I don't have any family history as I don't have any family - mum died in an accident several years ago and I have no other living relatives.

Thanks for your reply

bluefish6070 wrote:I had an eye test a few days ago and the optician noticed that my eyes sometimes flicker from side to side. They've done it for about 6 months but it's becoming more frequent and noticeable to others. I've also been having some dizzy spells, and my memory is awful lately. (I'm 37 with 3 kids so put it down it being busy). I've also noticed that a problem with my fingers. I struggle to pick up small items from the floor, using my fingertips, my thumbs feel odd, sort of lazy? (In fact, my fingers and thumbs both feel odd occasionally, hard to describe but that feeling when you've been on an exercise bike and try to stand up straight after? Weak and wobbly. They feel shaky but are not always visibly shaking) and I can't always make my thumb touch my fingertips. It's intermittent but I'm noticing it more often lately. No other health problems, non smoker, non drinker, weight fine and no other meds. I found out that the eye thing is called nystagmus and when I tapped it into google, along with thumb problems, the first 8 results were linked to MS. I'm not expecting a diagnosis on here, just wondering if anyone else had similar symptoms? Am I being neurotic and should I step away from google or could it just be stress linked?

Welcome to ThisIsMS, bluefish6070.

I have no medical background, but here are my thoughts on your questions:

Similar symptoms? There is a set of symptoms common to several conditions, including MS. I dare say that every person here has had one or more of your symptoms at some time.

Neurotic? Absolutely not! You have symptoms that are not normal; you want to know the reason why.

Could it just be stress linked? I doubt it very much!!!


I highly recommend you watch this 50-minute documentary featuring Sally Pacholok, RN, BSN, & her husband Jeffrey Stuart, D.O. (authors of the book, Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses); Lawrence Solomon, M.D., hematologist with Yale Medical School; Ralph Green, M.D., hematologist at UC Davis; and Donald Jacobsen, PhD, at the Cleveland Clinic (Homocysteine Research Lab).



"Everything You Want Your Doctor to Know about Vitamin B12"

sounds good have you been through your dietary choices to see if you meet recommended minimum daily intakes? people often don't!
good to hear re not much in the processed food dept. can i ask what kinds of seafood and how many times per week? white rice, brown, wild, other? any chance you could link me up to the product details on your daily multi? sounds good re activity, not too sedentary, not going crazy either. i'm interested to hear more info if you have time and inclination to share