This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I am a 31 year old female. About 4 months ago I started getting pain in my back. This lasted quite a few weeks and during this time I went to the doctor a few times and a physiotherapist. I began to feel nerve pain down my arms. This feeling would come and go and at first the physiotherapist thought it could be related to my back injury. The pain in my back eventually went away but the nerve pain kept progressing. This was unaccompanied by muscle aches, sharp shooting pain in my arms, nerve pain all over my body including my face and head, muscle tenderness, pain in my joints and feeling of confusion and forgetfulness. At times I would struggle to find the words I wanted to use. Some days I have headaches that are so severe and a sensitivity to light where my eyes will begin to burn (this doesn't happen so often). I had an MRI a few weeks ago where they scanned my brain for lesions and any signs of MS. The results came back completely normal. I'm waiting for an appointment with my rheumatologist which could take up to 3 months. I'm extremely anxious and worried and it seems to be all I can think about.
The symptoms seem to be getting worse, although there are sometimes a day or two in a week where I don't feel so bad.
Has anyone had these symptoms that have been diagnosed or can anyone suggest what other tests I should be requesting?
I am going to get tested for lyme disease as some of my symptoms are very similar to this but I have heard that they would be much more severe if I do have lyme disease.

Exa wrote:I am a 31 year old female. About 4 months ago I started getting pain in my back. This lasted quite a few weeks and during this time I went to the doctor a few times and a physiotherapist. I began to feel nerve pain down my arms. This feeling would come and go and at first the physiotherapist thought it could be related to my back injury. The pain in my back eventually went away but the nerve pain kept progressing. This was unaccompanied by muscle aches, sharp shooting pain in my arms, nerve pain all over my body including my face and head, muscle tenderness, pain in my joints and feeling of confusion and forgetfulness. At times I would struggle to find the words I wanted to use. Some days I have headaches that are so severe and a sensitivity to light where my eyes will begin to burn (this doesn't happen so often). I had an MRI a few weeks ago where they scanned my brain for lesions and any signs of MS. The results came back completely normal. I'm waiting for an appointment with my rheumatologist which could take up to 3 months. I'm extremely anxious and worried and it seems to be all I can think about.
The symptoms seem to be getting worse, although there are sometimes a day or two in a week where I don't feel so bad.
Has anyone had these symptoms that have been diagnosed or can anyone suggest what other tests I should be requesting?
I am going to get tested for lyme disease as some of my symptoms are very similar to this but I have heard that they would be much more severe if I do have lyme disease.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Exa.

There are many possible causes for your symptoms – a vitamin D deficiency is one possible cause. Over 1/2 of the world's population is vitamin D deficient. People living the modern indoor lifestyle (office work) and especially those living north of 32° latitude are at increased risk of deficiency.

I suggest that you request a vitamin D test (the 25-hydroxy D test). Please request a copy of your test results – it is important to have the actual numbers.

If this is difficult to obtain through your doctor, consider reading through the California-based GrassrootsHealth website (www.GrassrootsHealth.net) and consider ordering their one-time test (This involves a finger prick, a few drops of blood on the kit's card, mailing the card back – you receive the results within a week's time) The cost is inexpensive.

I recently had blood work done and all levels were normal