Not Sure About Potential Symptoms

[djmccarthy12]

Hello All,

I'm posting here because lately I've been getting worried that I may have symptoms related to MS, but I am honestly not sure and figured I would get your guys' opinion on a few things. I have been back and forth to the doctor a number of times over the past few years for some of the symptoms, but the potential for MS has never really been seriously explored by any of them. Anyway, here's what I've been experiencing:

- First of all, I am a 23 year old male. Always been healthy for the most part. 5'11", 145 lbs.

- Ever since I can remember (even as a young child) I got "Pricks/pins and needles" that I see mentioned quite often, almost always caused by getting hot, or sometimes when I got embarrassed they would get triggered.

- About two years ago, I went through a period of unexplained exhaustion. I used to work out every day (don't have much time for it anymore), and all of a sudden one summer I would just get terribly exhausted when I went to the gym and couldn't really work out any more. I saw a plethora of doctors, eventually ending up at an infectious disease doctor who tested for Lyme and other similar diseases, nothing came back positive. Eventually the tiredness kind of went away, but I feel like it is still somewhat there (maybe I am just out of shape now?)

- Recently, which is what worries me the most, I have been experiencing what I can only describe as small twitches in my body. Sometimes they would be visible to others, sometimes they kind of happen internally. This seems to be made worse by alcohol as well (not while I am drinking but the next day they will be worse). It has been about two months that this has been happening - some days it is worse than others.

That's pretty much it as far as the symptoms go, but I lean more towards MS as my grandmother has MS and it seems like the symptoms align. However I have yet to experience anything else listed as a common symptom. What do you guys think?

Also, I have heard that the only way to test for MS is a spinal tap and that it is extremely painful - could someone please tell me a little bit more about this? What was it like?

Thank you guys so much, I appreciate any help.

[jimmylegs]

Hi there thanks for your inquiry. we can't diagnose, and each person's xp is different, but i can tell you two things:

1. LP should not be painful unless you get a bad puncture angle and end up with a post LP headache. some people get a good puncture that is sort of self-sealing, others do not. as a precaution, should you go that route testing-wise, plan for bed rest after the puncture to allow it to heal, so that your csf pressure is maintained. healing time will vary from person to person. i had a bad puncture, no rest after, an excruciating post LP headache, and ultimately needed a weekend of bed rest to heal the puncture. the alternative was a blood patch (second trip to hospital, second injection) which some are not worried about but i personally wanted quite badly to avoid the followup procedure.

2. i would always strongly advise careful attention to nutritional status before taking symptoms to a medical doc. medical training on nutritional status is known to be weak. available tests are so poor that results typically come back reassuringly and misleadingly 'normal' in spite of the basic knowns about individuals' diets often not meeting basic requirements for a variety of essential nutrients. studies have shown that docs are unlikely to refer patients to nutrition specialists or provide nutrition counselling in the belief that the patient will not modify behaviour to correct any problems. in your case, i would recommend evaluating your diet for essential nutrient requirements, comparing it to recommended minimums, and deciding if you have been providing your body with enough of the raw materials required for adequate functioning (and consider that the recommendations are designed for average joe, while someone who works out daily would tend to need more). consider also that alcohol is a notorious depleter of nutrients. if you plan to follow up on this idea just say and i can get you a short list to work on (since working on ALL essential nutrients is a bit of a bear!)

[djmccarthy12]

Hi there thanks for your inquiry. we can't diagnose, and each person's xp is different, but i can tell you two things:

1. LP should not be painful unless you get a bad puncture angle and end up with a post LP headache. some people get a good puncture that is sort of self-sealing, others do not. as a precaution, should you go that route testing-wise, plan for bed rest after the puncture to allow it to heal, so that your csf pressure is maintained. healing time will vary from person to person. i had a bad puncture, no rest after, an excruciating post LP headache, and ultimately needed a weekend of bed rest to heal the puncture. the alternative was a blood patch (second trip to hospital, second injection) which some are not worried about but i personally wanted quite badly to avoid the followup procedure.

2. i would always strongly advise careful attention to nutritional status before taking symptoms to a medical doc. medical training on nutritional status is known to be weak. available tests are so poor that results typically come back reassuringly and misleadingly 'normal' in spite of the basic knowns about individuals' diets often not meeting basic requirements for a variety of essential nutrients. studies have shown that docs are unlikely to refer patients to nutrition specialists or provide nutrition counselling in the belief that the patient will not modify behaviour to correct any problems. in your case, i would recommend evaluating your diet for essential nutrient requirements, comparing it to recommended minimums, and deciding if you have been providing your body with enough of the raw materials required for adequate functioning (and consider that the recommendations are designed for average joe, while someone who works out daily would tend to need more). consider also that alcohol is a notorious depleter of nutrients. if you plan to follow up on this idea just say and i can get you a short list to work on (since working on ALL essential nutrients is a bit of a bear!)

Thanks very much for the reply, I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I really like your idea of evaluating my nutritional intake as I know this is actually something that I could be doing a lot better. I wouldn't say I've been depressed as of late, but I am kind of lacking when it comes to taking care of myself as I find myself wanting to mope around rather than cook myself a solid meal. Also, I think I am going to try quitting alcohol for a month or so and see what that can do for my health / general well-being.

Thanks again!

[jimmylegs]

you're welcome great attitude - best of luck with your planned lifestyle changes! feel free to ask any follow up questions.

note that ms patients tend to have insufficiency issues with B vits, vit D3, vit E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, omega 3s and sometimes even protein.

as for sources, high quality organic nutrient-dense food choices (and avoidance of antinutrient food and fluids) will generally trump manufactured supplement products. nature knows best.

i imagine you'll know that supplement quality is highly variable so in the event that you do find yourself looking for good/safe supplement products, depending what you're talking about (eg i stick to basic essential nutrients not products that the body can/should synthesize on its own, and typically not herbals either) i could likely relay some better options to consider.

ttfn!