Newbie worried about possible MS

Hello all,

I am having some symptoms that concern me and I was hoping to get some advice.  I am currently experiencing edema in my lower legs and muscle weakness in my thighs and upper arms.  I have also noticed decreased hand strength.

I would describe the muscle weakness as a feeling of heaviness in my arms and legs.  Climbing stairs gets difficult towards the top and drying and styling my hair makes my arms tired.  This has been going on for a while now.

One more thing . . . about fifteen years ago I experienced an episode of muscle pain that would travel from spot to spot all over my body and I would awaken very stiff.  I went to several doctors (not a neurologist, though) that never could explain what was going on.  It disappeared after about a month and I didn't think about it again until the current symptoms started.

I don't have the other symptoms listed for MS although I have had a harder time keeping my contacts in but I'm not sure that qualifies as eye problems.  I have not had any vertigo or dizziness (except for sinus related problems that I've had my whole adult life).

Does this sound like I could have MS?  I am thinking of making an appointment with a neurologist.

Thanks!

Kathy

Gretchen,

Thanks for your quick reply.  I have already thought about a possible heart related problem since I have a serious history of family members with heart problems (my father, mother, and a brother who is currently on a heart transplant list).  Last month I saw a cardiiologist who did an EKG, a C-Reactive test, a Calcium Cat scan, an echogram, and blood work.  He didn't do a stress test because I have had 2 stress tests in the last three years that were normal.  The recent tests also all came back normal and showed no evidence of heart disease.

Since there was no evidence of heart disease but I was still having these other symptoms, the cardiologist also ordered an muscle enzyme test and a thyroid test.  Both of those also came back normal. 

The edema is mild and I don't know if it is even related to what else is going on.  My PCP said he thought it was dependent edema and was age (54) and job related (I am on my feet all day since I am a teacher).  He put me on a mild diueretic and told me to wear support hose which seems to do the trick.

So now I am looking for another explanation for the heavy feeling in my arms and legs.  A doctor that I went to for the first episode mentioned the possibility of fibromyalgia but I don't seem to have most of those symptons either and I didn't know if it could be episodic.

Kathy

Kathy