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I'm 38 years old, and every time I go to my family doctor she blows me off, makes me feel a bit like a hypochondriac. I didn't realize that all the things that are wrong with me could be linked to MS until I was up late last night researching my symptoms. I happened to notice that everything that is going on with me are possible symptoms of MS. Now I'm a little worried. Here's what going on.

I am chronically tired. No--exhausted! My legs hurt all the time for years, my muscles in my legs just feel tired and worn out and in pain. I get migraines and tension headaches. I have trigeminal neuralgia, which my doctor has completely ignored and said there's nothing I can do about it, because my dentist says I have bruxism, and so my dr thinks that is probably the only cause-yet even on days when I don't feel myself clenching, the nerve in my face will be going wild. I accepted this, except that it keeps getting worse and more painful over time, for the last two years, and she doesn't care or seem concerned. I have a spot on my face by my chin the size of a silver dollar that has been completely numb since around age 26 or 27. My large toe on my right foot is completely numb for around 5-6 years, and sometime gets pins and needle feelings in both areas. When it does, it travels up the top of my foot to my ankle. I've been to the podiatrist who X-rays my foot, said it was fine, and gave me special inserts that don't work. Now, my other foot is starting to get similar feelings. My shoulders and arms itch like crazy, but I can't figure out why!

Recently, I've started to get dizzy and lose balance. The other day I stopped to get a juice in a juice bar, and went to the bathroom. When I stood up, I got disoriented and FORGOT where I was for a full few seconds, I couldn't recall where I had been. When I lean over I get very dizzy and sick feeling.

I understand it has to do with inflammation, and I wonder if this is why I feel like a million dollars when I get steroids for asthma or if I take anti-inflammatory meds for my headaches. I definitely suffer from depression and get irritable and emotional when I'm not feeling well. I get frustrated without my normal energy.

I've always been healthy and active. I'm a healthy weight 130 at 5'5", and I eat well/nutritiously. I'm not sure what's going on but it's gradually gotten worse over time and I'm starting to worry. Should I get a different Doctor, or how do I get mine to take me seriously? Does this sound like I could have early symptoms of MS? Thanks for letting me vent. Any advice is appreciated!

Welcome to TIMS, sorry to hear you are ill. Why don't you have your doctor refer you to a neurologist that specializes in MS. That doctor can do some specific tests which may included an MRI of both your brain and spine, which may help determine what is wrong with you.

Keep in mind that there are about 400 illnesses that mimic the symptoms of MS.

Since you are aware of issues regarding inflammation, you might want to consider a diet that fights inflammation and go gluten free if you have not already done so.

Have you had blood work done recently?

JR1234 wrote:I'm 38 years old, and every time I go to my family doctor she blows me off, makes me feel a bit like a hypochondriac. I didn't realize that all the things that are wrong with me could be linked to MS until I was up late last night researching my symptoms. I happened to notice that everything that is going on with me are possible symptoms of MS. Now I'm a little worried. Here's what going on.

I am chronically tired. No--exhausted! My legs hurt all the time for years, my muscles in my legs just feel tired and worn out and in pain. I get migraines and tension headaches. I have trigeminal neuralgia, which my doctor has completely ignored and said there's nothing I can do about it, because my dentist says I have bruxism, and so my dr thinks that is probably the only cause-yet even on days when I don't feel myself clenching, the nerve in my face will be going wild. I accepted this, except that it keeps getting worse and more painful over time, for the last two years, and she doesn't care or seem concerned. I have a spot on my face by my chin the size of a silver dollar that has been completely numb since around age 26 or 27. My large toe on my right foot is completely numb for around 5-6 years, and sometime gets pins and needle feelings in both areas. When it does, it travels up the top of my foot to my ankle. I've been to the podiatrist who X-rays my foot, said it was fine, and gave me special inserts that don't work. Now, my other foot is starting to get similar feelings. My shoulders and arms itch like crazy, but I can't figure out why!

Recently, I've started to get dizzy and lose balance. The other day I stopped to get a juice in a juice bar, and went to the bathroom. When I stood up, I got disoriented and FORGOT where I was for a full few seconds, I couldn't recall where I had been. When I lean over I get very dizzy and sick feeling.

I understand it has to do with inflammation, and I wonder if this is why I feel like a million dollars when I get steroids for asthma or if I take anti-inflammatory meds for my headaches. I definitely suffer from depression and get irritable and emotional when I'm not feeling well. I get frustrated without my normal energy.

I've always been healthy and active. I'm a healthy weight 130 at 5'5", and I eat well/nutritiously. I'm not sure what's going on but it's gradually gotten worse over time and I'm starting to worry. Should I get a different Doctor, or how do I get mine to take me seriously? Does this sound like I could have early symptoms of MS? Thanks for letting me vent. Any advice is appreciated!

Welcome to ThisIsMS, JR1234. We are good listeners – we understand that everyone needs to vent at some time or another.

You have invited "any advice" and here is mine:

You are NOT a hypochondriac, in my opinion – you have described very real symptoms. If you feel that your family doctor is unsympathetic and does not take you seriously, I feel it is time to replace her with a different GP.

Your symptoms are consistent with many conditions that must be ruled out before MS can be considered. There is no definitive test for MS, it is a diagnosis of exclusion.

Although you eat a healthy diet, one or more nutrient deficiencies may still be at the root of your symptoms. I suggest you call a GP (your current one or a new one) and request an inexpensive vitamin D blood test called the "25-hydroxy D" test. (And ask for your own copy of your test results.)

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also be responsible for the symptoms you describe: extreme fatigue, pain/numbness/"pins and needles" in feet and legs, migraines/headaches, etc.

Thorough, initial testing for B12 deficiency should include 4 tests: 1) a serum B12 test, 2) an RBC folate test, 3) a serum homocysteine test, and 4) a methylmalonic acid test.

A magnesium deficiency can also result in your symptoms, such as exhaustion, migraines/headaches, and others you describe. There is controversy over whether the serum magnesium test or the RBC magnesium test is more accurate in uncovering a deficiency (discuss with your doctor which one will be best for you):

The underestimated problem of using serum magnesium measurements to exclude magnesium deficiency in adults; a health warning is needed for "normal" results. (2010)
Y Ismail, AA Ismail, AA Ismail
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20170394

Conclusions: The perception that "normal" serum magnesium excludes deficiency is common among clinicians. This perception is probably enforced by the common laboratory practice of highlighting only abnormal results. A health warning is therefore warranted regarding potential misuse of "normal" serum magnesium because restoration of magnesium stores in deficient patients is simple, tolerable, inexpensive and can be clinically beneficial.


In my opinion (I have no medical background), testing for these nutrient deficiencies is the place to start in a long investigation of possible causes for your symptoms. Do your research and ask lots of questions.

Hello JR1234,

The only way to know if you are dealing with Multiple Sclerosis is to under go testing that includes ruling out all other possible causes for your symptoms as well as testing that might point to MS as a possible cause.

There is no symptom(s) exclusive to MS, many other conditions, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, medications and mental health issues all cause the same type of symptoms. If you take any medication it is always a good idea to research side effects and if side effects match up to your symptoms discuss your symptoms and the medication with your prescribing Dr. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (pain relievers) will not help MS. If you find relief from from them it's not caused by MS.

If you have not had blood work done for awhile then it's time to have it done. There is no blood test that will indicate or give a diagnosis of MS, blood work is used to rule in/out other some other possible causes. However, if you end up seeing a Neurologist they will order 10 to 12+ vials of blood. Again, this is not for MS but possible other causes.

One thing you can ask your PCP to do is a Neurological work-up/exam and ask how you did afterwards. Although neurological deficits found on exam doesn't rule in MS it could give your PCP more information to start working with. A normal exam puts MS very low. Other testing for MS would need to include a MRI of the brain and possibly the cervical spine. However, if the Neurological exam is normal the cervical spine would not be warranted.

hi, I have very similar symptoms to you, I've been suffering them for over 6 years now. Finally my doctor is referring me to a neurologist, but I have heard that he is very dismissive, so i'm really nervous about speaking to him. If you want to pm me, we can chat and support each other.