Worried I may have MS...

Hey all,

I am a 25 year old woman. Around 6 or so months ago whilst shaving my legs, I couldn't feel the razor as it reached my upper thighs. It was very frightening as I had no idea what was going on. I visited the doc, and he gave me a blood test which came back as normal. So I pretty much left it thinking the problem would go away by itself.

Sometimes though I wake up, go to make breakfast and feel like my legs are going to give way. This has only happened a few times, but it partly seems connected with my diet, which is poor.

This week, I have been experiencing brain fog (I feel like I'm sleeping with my eyes open - like I'd be perfectly happy to just simply stare ahead for hours and hours, thinking about absolutely nothing); slowed thinking; heavy limbs; trouble concentrating; occasional trouble speaking (sometimes when I speak I sound like a quiet mouse, like it's hard for me to get words out); awful fatigue; (orange!?) diarrhea; constipation; disorientation, tingling, prickling sensations on my arms, legs, feet and hands; and slight muscle tremors (a couple tremors here and there each day usually lasting no longer than a min or so each). I have broken down into tears every day because I am so scared of what is happening to me...

I have felt numb/tingly in one side of my face this past day.
For as long as I can remember I have had Internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

I have wanted to call an ambulance because these symptoms are so odd to me, but I don't know what to do.

I haven't been in any real physical pain, haven't had any visual disturbances or any bladder troubles, so I am clinging onto these as signs I may not have MS.

I saw a doctor in my boyfriends area (where I am staying currently), and without taking blood tests (he advised I see my local doc for that as he will know my medical history), and he did not seem to think it was MS. He told me that the symptoms I present aren't common in MS patients of my age... (Is this even correct?!) He said it could be anaemia, stress, or kidney problems, but somehow I feel pretty certain I have MS.

I am just so very, very terrified. I spent all of my adult life until now battling a debilitating psychological condition which left me unemployed. This year started wonderfully with me getting my very first job and being able to travel more and earn my own money. FINALLY feeling independent. And now, I feel like I will spend the rest of my life with another condition which could set me back even more...

I can't go for a day without crying so hard since the onset of these weird symptoms. I can't go for a day without looking up MS symptoms online and feeling deathly afraid. I can't go for a day without thinking about suicide. I still don't know what is wrong with me, I know, but it has got to the point where I just don't know how I would be nearly strong enough to live with MS if I do have it.

Does what I have sound like MS?

Post Edited (Shiller) : 5/22/2012 2:39:08 PM (GMT-6)

Shiller, how are you doing? The only things I can think of is, PLEASE, try not to phyc yourself out. Everything on the internet is not as true with everyone else, such as MS "it is like a snowflake, no two are alike". We have a lot of the same symptoms, but everyone is different. I myself do better in heat with my MS than cold.. When I was pregnant when I had MS, I felt no relief. I hope you go to the dr and get an answer soon. Worring about what could be in a scared state of mind, is not good for you. STRESS is not your friend, please try not to stress out... easier said than done I know, but try to do something to get your mind off of this problem for a little bit. Please go to your DR and find out :-0

Definitely take control of your life and HAVE your Dr. (if your r returning to your area soon, or his as his new patient and have your records sent to him-these offices usually have a two week window. During this waiting period your doc could run the usual diagnostic blood work up like CBC w/diff (red and white blood cells), ana (inflamation process), check lft's(liver),and tsh (thyroid). If u r having severe pain in an area of the abdomen or chest maybe ct. U should be sent to Neurologist-there are def. symptoms. Hopefully they will run MRI and other tests. If still no Dx then maybe u should see a rheumatoidologist. Sounds like a long process and is, but it is common to have different Dz types mimic others.
I wish you well on your journey. Stay strong. What I have found living with sudden chronic illness with no diagnosis (except for fibro Dx'd by the touch-test within a ten minute office visit-***-twice) is that with those darkest moments, I will find blessing; be it through LOVE or HUMBLENESS.

When I read your post I could see myself when I was saying the same thing six months ago. Keep searching and be pro-active in your healthcare ask questions and politely demand answers : ) I will even print stuff off of web md and carry it in with me (or univ. research papers)...it is a slow process (especially with my ins), but take it one day at a time. Look at what is important and do those things, so that you can move forward with this.
Sorry I got so wordy. :P

I am also in the same boat.
Fought viruses and infections all my life.
25 years of age, ive had fatigue that comes and goes periodically throughout the day, lower back pains, only just beginning too get slight weakness in the hands and slight burning feeling in the legs. My lower back pain is pretty bad, i also have a slight weak feeling in the neck which comes and goes and slight bouts of dizziness here and there which comes and goes.
its real scary and i my self am sitting here believing that my condition is quite common too the symptoms of ms.
All i can say is i am really happy theres boards like this for people who experience these symptoms and have someone to talk to whose going through it, cause i for certain also feel like the only person in the world this could happen too.
As above theres a lot of things it could be so dont jump the gun. I believe the hardest part is getting the doctors too listen too you, do some research, get armed with paperwork too backup your beliefs and head down too the gp's, this is what i did, after relentless trips and pondering i am now with a specialist and am working towards knowing what is really happening. Now i am relentlessly sending emails and working with the specialist. Hopefully il get there, Best of luck too you

Indeed MS is a very expensive disease. The treatment options are few, all but one are either injections or infusions. Treatment runs from $3,000 - $10,000 a month. And those treatments are still inconsistent and only possibly slow down the progression of the disease.

One's finances need to be solidly in place before MS is ever mentioned or put on a medical record.