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Posted 7/11/2008 7:20 AM (GMT 0)
I've been struggling with a large group of symptoms for the last couple of months and the Dr. recently suggested the possibility of MS. I'm currently waiting on MRI results and an appointment with a nuerologist next month. In the meantime I thought I'd ask people who had confirmed dx's whether or not my symptoms seemed to fit MS. This is what I've been experiencing:

numbness in my hand face and on the bottom of my foot

a feeling similiar to that of RLS except on the entire right side of my body

pain and stiffness in my shoulders, neck and back

muscle weakness and coordination issues with my arm

I have to pee all the time

I lose my train of thought frequently and sometimes I feel like I'm slurring though I'm not

sure I really am

The sun feels really hot and I can't tolerate hot showers anymore

Most of these issues were, up until recently, only on my right side but lately it's like I can feel them creeping to my left side as well. I've had only one other episode like this, when I was pregnant with my youngest my face went numb for no apparent reason for two weeks. My ob/gyn said it wasn't pregnancy related and my GP said it was but neither could tell me precisely what the problem was. I would appreciate any feedback you could give me. I feel very alone in this. I don't think anyone around me really appreciates what I'm going through right now (and I'm pretty sure my mother in law thinks I'm faking it) so it would be nice to know if someone else is experiencing anything like what I am. Thanks

Posted 7/11/2008 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Staciem82

Welcome to the MS board. I'm so sorry to hear of u'r symptoms, but u'r on the right track with seeing a neurologist and getthg the mri's. Of course we can't dx u here, but can only give u our opinions per our experiences. Some of u'r symptoms do sound like ms, but they also sound like other possilbe illnesses as well. Numbness is one of the more common early symptoms for example along with one sided symptoms. However, maybe the pain and stiffness in u'r shoulders, neck and back may be related to something called spasticity or simply muscle tension. I'd reccommend u googling 'ms mimics' or 'ms differential dx' and see what u get. In the mean time keep up with those symptoms and how they 'act' or feel to u. U'r neuro will find that invaluable when looking at u'r history.

I do hope it's not ms, but if it turns out to be, u'r in the right place. We'll be right here to help u along thru this dx process and help u understand all that's happening as much as we can. We've all been there...those phantom symptoms that no one can see or prove, but still they are there. Don't worry for now about everyone believing u, just stay strong and push on for answers. If it's ms, in time it WILL show itself. Take care friend and keep posting and let us know how u are.
Posted 7/11/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
HI,

I have a great deal of numbness and MS like smptoms, Spinal tap negative for MS.

MRI may show lesions which can look like MS, but with lyme you can have lesions too. I was dx with lymes disease. Please take a look at lyme disease forum and symptoms list. It is not uncommon to test negative for lyme. I have tested negative.

lyme disease can mimic MS, there is much info on lyme and MS.

I hope you can find your answers and get the right treatment soon.

barbme
Posted 7/11/2008 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, forgot,

the neurologist was no help too me and did not want to believe lyme disease nor MS.

please post your symptoms on the lyme disease site and see your responses.

barbme
Posted 7/11/2008 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Please remember that some of us have MS and not lyme disease.  We have had problems with posters coming over from the lyme board and telling us that we have Lyme disease and  not MS.  Most of us have no symptoms of an infection and while there is a lot of evidence that Lyme disease causes MS like symptoms, we trust out current diagnosis.  I am sorry that you had a poor experience with your neurologist.  I have a wonderful neurologist that thoroughly investigated lyme disease before going with the MS diagnosis. 

Posted 7/11/2008 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
hi staciesmom;

While you are going through your testing and need support you are in the right place. Gretchen and other users are very knowledgable and supportive and you can post all your questions . I am also in the place where they are trying to figure out what I have and find this site comforting. It feels so good to have people to ask questions of. Do worry about you Mother in law right now. Come here for support and don't bother sharing this with her right now. Each day I do what the docs say and go through the tests and wait. Mean while I read posts on this board and learn more. I also go to the MS web sites. I find that I learn so much on this site.
Posted 7/12/2008 12:18 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Stacie,

I am sorry you are having to go down the possibility of an MS diagnosis.  I am glad you found us.  Please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.  It is really nice to talk to others that share your experience and understand your symptoms.

Posted 7/12/2008 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for all of your advice and support!
Posted 8/29/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I don't know what the results of your MRI were, I am hoping that all was normal.  cool    But the main reason I want to reply is because those symptoms you describe could also be migraine related. I have 'silent migraine' and it comes with a whole host of neurological symptoms, many of which were never recognized as migraine until about two years ago. so many Dr.'s are still unaware.

One of my scariest symptoms is the numbness and tingling on the left half of my body and then dizziness coming from the right.

I still get concerned that it's something else entirely, of course, but my neurologist assures me its migraine. And my Dad has always had it too. It's very genetic. I just wanted to post this to help others who get clean MRI's and don't have lymes, to let them know of the other possiblity. wink

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